Running with determination and mental fortitude, Indoor Track & Field Co-Captain Emerson Kington ’24 leads by example. Across his running career, Kington attributes his ability to consistently strive for a high level of performance to his coaches and teammates that have surrounded him. As a captain, he hopes to inspire the Track team by promoting consistent devotion and motivation for the sport.
After joining the track team in 7th grade, Kington quickly found running to be grounding yet rigorous. He credits his middle school coach for pushing him to take risks and grow as an athlete through consistent practice.
Kington wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “I remember my middle school coach was an extremely down-to-earth math teacher who I looked up to for his dedication to ensuring that every athlete was pushing themselves to their limit. He placed me in the 400-meter dash as my first ever event and while I had no idea how intense the event was, I decided to trust his coaching and his process.”
As Kington transitioned into the track team at Andover, his love for the sport has been sustained by the supportive team culture. He noted that the physical and mental demands of running are eased by the close knit community, which have become a family for him.
“In the long sprints group that I am a part of, it can be difficult to do grueling workouts when the only person on the track is yourself. Being on this team, these workouts are not nearly as demanding because I have been so lucky to have a team that is so interconnected in every aspect. The team carries a unique familial culture that is difficult to find anywhere else,” wrote Kington.
Kington continued, “I remember running the 400-Meter Dash for my last time as a freshman and being unable to hear anything during the last 100 meters but an old captain of mine cheering me on as if she had staked everything on my success. It is such an amazing feeling to feel like you are an integral part of the team and I think the culture that the team carries is unbelievably unique and one of the most important things to me, the thing that I always look forward to seeing every time I return to the track.”
Kington looks to embody the team spirit and dedication that has inspired him while running at Andover. He believes the best way to lead is through putting in the effort that he expects from his teammates. Additionally, he wants the team to feel comfortable with each other, while still performing at a high level.
Kington wrote, “I would say that the best way I know how to lead is by example, and by showing a dedication to not only yourself but the teammates who look to you for advice. I aspire to let my teammates feel that they can work intensely and dedicate themselves but also feel relaxed and comfortable with the rest of the team.”
Even as a more experienced runner on the team, Kington still dedicates time and energy to helping younger athletes. He highlighted how drawing inspiration from the work ethic and tenacity of younger runners has been one of the most rewarding experiences for him as a captain.
“I want to inspire each athlete, through my own actions, to work as intensely as they can as they pursue growth as both an athlete and a person. There is nothing that has made me happier than to see younger athletes place themselves to a high standard and work passionately every practice as they try to push their limits. I’ve seen our athletes maintain a combination of intensity in practice, during meets, and when cheering on teammates, and this in itself is what I aspire to see when I lead,” wrote Kington.
Next year, Kington will be attending Middlebury College to run Division 3 track. After qualifying for the New Balance Indoor Nationals, he is excited to finish his running career at Andover strong and meet more of his goals as an athlete.
Kington wrote, “I was able to qualify for both the 400-Meter Dash and 200-Meter Dash championship races at New Balance Indoor Nationals, which is a feat I’ve always wanted to accomplish since I began running in high school, and I am extremely proud of finally achieving these results as I get ready to run at Nationals. I feel much more confident going into the outdoor season and I have many goals that I want to achieve both while I am still attending Andover, and as I go on to compete in college.”
