Benedict, Brunner, Janda and Lundstrom lead Bulldog Soccer Team

By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

The selection of soccer captains for Mahomet-Seymour’s boys’ soccer program is neither a popularity contest nor done at the sole discretion of the head coach.

M-S coach Jeremy Davis takes feedback from his team and augments it with his own observations.

When those factors were combined late in the summer, it resulted in the naming of four Bulldog soccer captains: Caleb Benedict, Colten Brunner, Jacob Janda and Nate Lundstrom.

Arriving at those choices, Davis said, was part of a thorough process.

From his viewpoint, Davis looks at four areas.

“I take into account off-season attendance, how they reflect on the program as a whole, their ability to model the right behaviors for other kids in the program and their ability to motivate and organize their teammates as an extension of me,” Davis said.

He then combines that with input from the squad.

“I poll the team with the following questions,” he said. “Who has most positively impacted you as a person? Who do you respect the most? Who most positively reflects on us as a group? Who is the best field general?”

With input from the athletes as well as his own perspectives, Davis is comfortable finalizing the roles of captains … after he eliminates anyone who has expressed a desire to not be considered.

“These four are great kids, and will be great ambassadors for soccer and for MSHS,” Davis said. “I cannot say enough good things about these young men.”

While they share the same title and assume the same duties, each player brings unique aspects to the position.

Brunner sees the role as more than being a vocal leader.

“It is also a responsibility,” he said. “This responsibility is to make sure I am doing everything to the best of my ability to encourage and help team members grow as players so the team continues to improve.

“This captaincy requires that at any moment in a game you are willing to give all you have for the team, to do the extra mile and to push yourself.

“I also should be maintaining order in our team; sometimes ensuring everyone is doing their job or helping them keep their cool,” Brunner added.

Captains oversee the game as well as their teammates.

“One of the roles I see myself playing on the field is being the one to calmly talk to the referees respectfully,” Janda said. “I also will be there for my teammates on and off the field.

“One of my responsibilities is to keep everyone focused at practice so we can get better at what we need, but still have fun at the same time.

“To me being a captain is a chance to set a good example for the rest of the guys on the team. I can step up into a leadership role and be a role model on and off the field.”

Lundstrom brings a can-do attitude to the field.

“To me, being a captain means putting the team on my back at times in games and always trying to pick everyone up, pushing them to the best version of myself,” Lundstrom said.

The captains have earned the respect of their peers.

“Being a captain means you lead as an example and people will listen to you on what to do and not disregard your advice,” Benedict said.

Janda is a versatile player who can fit in anywhere.

“This year he will have played all three levels over his varsity career (defense, midfield and striker),” Davis said.

Except for Lundstrom, who is a junior, the other M-S captains are seniors. Each one has learned how to handle himself by watching the lead of others in previous years.

“I’ve learned to stay down to earth and not try to act above other people just because I’m captain,” Lundstrom said. “I learned this from my experience with former captain and longtime best friend, Grant Odle.”

Janda feels like it’s his time to carry on a well-established tradition.

“The previous captains that I’ve encountered have always been really cool guys that I respected and I aspire to be like them in that sense,” Janda said. “They always had fun, but when it was time to get focused, they focused and pushed all of us to do the same.”

Brunner said, at times, captains must do what needs to be done even if it’s not necessarily what they want to be done.

“I learned a lot from last year’s captains,” Brunner said. “They showed me how to handle the captaincy and reminded me captaincy isn’t a popularity role.

“People do not like to be critiqued, and captains have to confront teammates about their mistakes or deficiencies.”

The ability to speak frankly is also a trait that Davis sees in Lundstrom.

“He’s not afraid to voice unpopular opinions,” Davis said.

Whatever the situation, Davis said Brunner handles it admirably.

“He’s unflappable,” Davis said.

Benedict said his duties aren’t restricted to Game Day.

“One of my roles is making sure our team is doing what we are supposed to be whether it be warming up or making sure we’re staying eligible,” he said.

The Bulldogs are off to an 11-3-1 start to the season. The quartet of captains has teamed up to score 27 goals.

For the captains, the sports itself is a highlight.

“Soccer to me is one big family of people that you get to make great memories with and play the sport you love with,” Janda said.

Added Lundstrom: “To me, soccer means everything, it is a creative outlet and a place to compete. I love pushing myself and others to get better as a collective, and soccer gives us the opportunity to do so.”

Brunner said soccer has forced him to step out of what is familiar and into more uncharted territory.

“For the most part, I would say I am introverted,” Brunner said. “However, in sports and when I am with close friends, I can be quite social.

“Being a senior captain forces me to get out of my comfort zone and direct others in the group. Being a leader can definitely make you feel uncomfortable, like when you’re directing people, but it allows you to grow as a person. Being forced into these uncomfortable positions gives me the chance to learn valuable skills.”

For Lundstrom, the transition was less noticeable.

“I have a very extroverted personality that allows me to be a lot more vocal,” he said.

Even before they were officially designated as captains, Benedict, Brunner, Janda and Lundstrom displayed their leadership tendencies during the summer.

“I always asked if anyone needed rides home (from workouts) and I always pushed everyone to do their best,” Janda said. “This summer really helped build our friendships as a whole and get more comfortable playing together.”

The off-season time in the summer, Lundstrom said, is critical to beginning to develop team camaraderie.

“For most fall sports, the summer is imperative in training as a team given that we only have a week of practice before our first game,” Lundstrom said. “This year Colten Brunner, Logan Woodward, and I took on the role of organizing conditioning for the team. We also tried to make practices as competitive as possible.”

Benedict’s determination earned him a spot as a team leader.

“Soccer is just my favorite thing to do where I really enjoy pushing myself to be the best I can,” Benedict said. “My personality definitely portrays me as a hard worker and stubborn, which helped me become a leader by showing others that dedication goes a long way.”

Benedict’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

In addition to leadership, Davis cites Benedict’s “character and hard work,” among his top traits.

Amidst the intensity, Janda is one of the players who will break the atmosphere with some light-hearted moments.

“I’d say I’m a funny guy that doesn’t take himself too seriously,” Janda said. “I think I’ve always been that guy that steps up for my teammates and tries to keep everyone in check.

“That’s just how I am. I think it’s just this year that I’ve really stepped up and pushed myself to be a good example.”

Brunner said there are intangibles that go along with being a captain.

“Captain does not mean you’re just the coach’s chosen leader,” Brunner said. “For a team to be successful, it needs to be cohesive.

“Being a captain means I have a responsibility to my coach and team for accountability. I also feel that I need to lead by setting a good example for younger players.”

Victories aren’t the only thing in abundance this fall with the M-S soccer program. The Bulldogs are also strong with leaders and role models.