Becoming a captain for the sport you love is something that every athlete dreams of. Senior Rylie Miller was named a captain of the swim team for the second year in a row for the 2021-2022 season. Miller has been swimming since she was six years old and it is something that she really loves doing.

“The meets are super fun,” Miller said. “I actually really enjoy the late night practices. It gives me a routine that I can stick to.”

Miller has been on the swim team for all four years of her high school career. She has been working to improve her skills since she was a freshman on the team. Her hard work paid off her junior and senior year when her coaches named her one of the captains. 

“I was really excited when it was announced that I was going to be captain,” Miller said. “I was also captain last year so I was kind of expecting to be captain again so it was not a huge surprise but it is nice to know my hard work is paying off.” 

Being a good swimmer is not the only thing that makes a good captain. A good captain has to have good leadership skills and has to be able to help new people on the team. 

“I love getting to know the new girls on the team,” Miller said. “Most of the girls on the team are new to the sport of swimming and it is nice to be able to help them grow as swimmers.”

Miller has built strong relationships with all the girls on the team during her years. Junior Manisha Muthukaruppan has looked up to Miller throughout her years on the team. Muthukaruppan helped organize senior night to show her appreciation for the seniors on the team. 

“She’s a great role model,” Muthukaruppan said. “She is a really good spreaker and has great leadership qualities. She talks to everyone and knows how to make everyone feel welcome on the team.” 

Miller had a lot of great role models when she was an underclassmen on the swim team. She hopes that her leadership will make the same impact that past captains have made on her. 

“When I was freshman I looked up to the upperclassmen a lot,” Miller said. “I really want to be the best captain I can be and have those same relationships that I had with upperclassmen when I was younger.”