Co-Captain of Boys Cross Country Luke Francis ’25 leads by example, inspiring his teammates through his hard work and immense effort. However, he isn’t afraid to motivate others more directly as well. Having started running track in seventh grade, Francis’s dedication to the sport has contributed to his understanding of how to effectively support his teammates.
As a Junior, Francis joined the cross country team and immediately experienced a strong sense of team spirit and camaraderie. This spirit encouraged him to continue running throughout his high school career. As Co-Captain, Francis works to replicate that same sense of inclusion that he experienced in his early days at Andover.
“I try to bring a positive attitude, always smiling and getting to know people. My goal is to create a happy place where everyone can improve themselves through cross-country. I really like to check in on people and watch runners improve. Sometimes one of the best moments is seeing a younger guy drop a really fast time out of nowhere,” said Francis.
Francis’s teammate Nathan Neu ’26 described him as a leader who pushes his teammates to be their absolute best while also fostering an inclusive environment. His leadership style is centered on support and encouragement, whether during a tough workout or in the middle of a race.
“He definitely sets an example for everyone. He encourages everyone to do their best and put in full effort, especially during workouts. During warm-ups, he’s always leading with compassion, and you can tell he’s passionate about making sure everyone is doing them correctly,” said Neu.
According to teammate Robert Budzinski ’26, Francis continues to support his teammates even during races that he is competing in. His competitive spirit is balanced by his commitment to helping others reach their full potential.
Budzinski said, “He’s definitely one of the fiercest competitors on the team. He fights in races and often outruns guys at the end. I remember one race where we were supposed to finish together, but he was yelling at me because he wanted to push harder and I was slowing him down.”
Despite his intensity during competitions, Francis has a calm and approachable personality outside of practice. He’s known for fostering a sense of community within the team, ensuring that everyone feels included.
“He’s a really chill guy, very approachable. I know him from crew as well, where he’s also a Captain. He listens to everyone, even if he’s never spoken to them before. He makes sure everyone feels heard and included and is just a really kind guy. He understands that some people have different goals through running and he is a very supportive figure,” said Neu.
Francis elaborated upon his captaincy and running style. He highlighted his mid-race yelling and the importance of bringing energy to the sport.
Francis said, “My running style has changed over time. When I started, I’d run fast at the beginning, but now I’ve learned to be more patient. I start steady and push harder later in the race, especially on the downhill. I can be pretty vocal when I run, yelling at people on the course for motivation. It hypes me up too.”
Now, in his final year, Francis’s focus is on helping his teammates experience the same sense of community and support that he found when he first joined the team. Through being a figure athletes can reach out to, he hopes his team can find success through camaraderie.
“When I first joined, the cross country team felt like a community, and by the end of the season, it became a family. Now, in my last year, I want to help build that same sense of family for others. I want this team to ultimately find success at Interschols and believe that that comes from a healthy team environment,” said Francis.
