When athletes enter the world of collegiate sports, they have proven that they possess skill, leadership and the ability to improve and learn.

Becoming the captain of a collegiate sport proves all that and more. As for the co-captains of the women’s gymnastics team, they have proven they can be role models, leaders and the picture of motivation for the rest of the team.

Seniors Melissa Genovese and Nicole Giao and sophomore Amanda Bieber work together to provide leadership for the rest of the Hornet squad.

The captains are selected based on a two-step process. Coach Kim Hughes, along with the other members of the coaching staff, make a choice based on the performances of the girls and their leadership skills. The coaches also consult with previous captains and existing captains about girls with leadership potential.

“It’s a combination of them showing us that they have leadership skills and we also like them to be good students with good academics,” Hughes said. “Also, good gymnasts that can be leaders both in and out of the gym so they lead by example in many different ways.”

The girls not only have to be good examples for the team, but they have to be able to work with the coaching staff so the entire group can work closely together.

“They have to have good communication skills with the coaching staff as well as with their teammates,”? Hughes said.

Genovese is currently serving her third year as co-captain for the Hornets. As a sophomore she was selected co-captain by the coaching staff and started learning the process of becoming a good co-captain.

It was the upperclassmen who taught Genovese how to work with her teammates and be a role model for everyone.

This year, as a senior, Genovese is trying to lead her team and make sure that a sense of fairness is instilled within the team.

“I think (a good captain) tries to see everyone’s point of view and work with everyone,” she said. “(The captain goes) out there with a good attitude and push the team to be positive.”

Giao also said that captains should be there for teammates and provide support for each other.

“(Captains) are there for support and to pick up a teammate when they are down. We also organize the team and pump up the team before a meet,” Giao said.

Bieber’s idea of a captain involves helping teammates with any problems they may encounter.

“Well, you have to be a leader. If someone comes to you with a problem, you have to be able to help them out,”? Bieber said.

Genovese said teammates will follow their captain, so she always tries to do her best when in front of the rest of the team.

“I try to lead by example and get along with everyone. I’m always trying to help wherever I can,” Genovese said.

For Giao, this season is her second year as a co-captain. Last year she was not as comfortable being a leader of the team, but this year she is ready to handle the challenge.

“Last year was difficult because I didn’t feel like I had the right to talk a certain way to teammates or get my voice out there,” Giao said. “I feel a lot more comfortable and confident in how I approach certain things with the team and I feel more confident in my leadership skills this year.”

As a first time co-captain, Bieber is working to learn the skills that Genovese and Giao already possess.

“I’m really honored to be a captain. It puts pressure on me, but I have Melissa and Nicole to look up to,” Bieber said.

Genovese and Giao are hoping to pass along some of their knowledge to Bieber so she will be a better captain next year as a junior.

“We’re just trying to show her the ropes so she can be a good captain,” Genovese said.

“(We want) her to see that it’s OK to get your voice out there to the rest of the team and OK to talk to people and to just lead the team,” Giao said.

Bieber is hoping she takes away leadership skills and more from her experience as a co-captain.

“(I want to) learn everything. Melissa and Nicole are good at motivating people,” Bieber said.

In terms of responsibility among captains, there is no question that all three are there to do the same thing.

“We all pretty much do the same thing. We just go about it in different ways in terms of dealing with people and situations,” Genovese said.

Giao likes the fact there are three co-captains who can go to each other in case they themselves need some advice.

“I feel better when I have Melissa and Amanda’s opinion. We do things together,” Giao said.

As the three co-captains work together, the rest of the team looks to them for inspiration and motivation.

The job of the captain is to make sure all teammates work together with respect.

So far this season, the gymnastics team has posted a 1-2 record, but the captains are making sure the team goes into the next meet with a positive attitude.

Alicia de la Garza can be reached at [email protected]