The Rowan women’s cross country team’s captains, junior Cammy Wright and senior Amanda McNally are ready to step into their highly anticipated leadership roles for the 2023 season.

Head Coach Derick “Ringo” Adamson asked the two to be the captains for the team back in the spring. He has witnessed Wright and McNally compete since they were freshmen on the team and knew they were the right fit to be the team captains this season.

“From the time they were freshmen, I watched them on the team,” Coach Adamson said. “They are very organized and right on top of things. You do not have to be the best runner to be the captain, that is not what constitutes a captain to me. It is how you lead. I know it is a cliche but it is about leading by example and they both do that. If I need help with anything, I call one of those two.”

Wright was thrilled to learn that she would be team captain for the upcoming season, especially as a junior.

“I was honored when Ringo asked me to be captain because I am a junior,” Wright said. “I am really just happy to do it, and to help bring the girls together to help them train.”

McNally was excited to have earned this position but also a little emotional upon hearing the news.

“I was driving home and Ringo called me,” McNally said. “He asked me and I wanted to cry, I was very excited and was ready to lead the team. I also had so many ideas pop into my head right away that I wanted to get the group to bond.”

Wright looked forward to being co-captains with McNally, who she had known for a long time and had basically become best friends with. Their two personalities mixed together have the ability to hold a team together.

“It’s awesome to be captain with Amanda [McNally],” Wright said. “We have lived together since my freshman year. We’re basically yin and yang when it comes to our leadership. We are also very similar in ways as well. We are both very organized and determined.”

McNally agreed and talked about how she believes their different personalities will lead to a great partnership.

“I feel like sometimes I can be a little uptight,” McNally said. “[Wright] has taught me how to relax a little bit. I have learned a lot from her.”

McNally was confident about how they would perform this season.

“I think we definitely have what it takes to win the NJAC [New Jersey Athletic Conference],” McNally said. “The energy around the team is really good right now.” 

 But it was Wright who was willing to go a bit further for her prediction.

“This season is going to be great,” Wright said. ”All the girls are working really hard. We definitely have a shot at the NJAC title and if we keep persevering, we have a shot at nationals.”

The next time the team will run is Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Mike Woods Invitational in Geneseo, New York, where Wright and McNally hope to lead their team to victory.

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