A lead runner for Andover Boys Cross Country since his first step on campus as a new Lower, Captain Ethan McIntosh ’15 will bring his experience, passion and leadership to a tightly-knit team this season. In Andover’s second-place victory last Saturday, McIntosh led the way with an overall fourth place finish and first place Andover finish with a time of 17:25 on a difficult Northfield Mount Hermon course.
Originally a soccer player, McIntosh’s Cross Country career started in middle school, and his love of the strong team bond has carried him through his past two years at Andover.
“My [first] year, for the first part of the season our team definitely didn’t have so much chemistry. It didn’t really work until the end of the season when we eventually bonded. It helped a lot,” said McIntosh. “Everyone runs their own race. All the interactions with [the] team are supportive rather than competitive and that makes for an awesome team dynamic.”
When he was voted captain last Winter, McIntosh understood his role would involve more than just being a key runner on the team.
“He is definitely a very reserved leader. He sets a good example because he tries to make sure that everyone on the team tries their best and participates. He is very good at incorporating the team into everything. He works hard to set an example so that the rest of the team can succeed,” said Max Lee ’15.
McIntosh embraced the challenge, “The most exciting part of being the captain [was] that role of getting to know everybody and really helping the team to bond,” he said, “I had a lot of ideas for the team and a lot of things I wanted to do.”
Teammate Paul McGovern ’15 commented on McIntosh’s progress at Andover, “He had a lot of running experience before he came here. He became a lot more confident after a really good interschols his lower year. After that he really came into his own. He makes sure everyone on the team is involved. He always offers everyone on the team to run with him on the weekends.”
McIntosh holds Head Coach Jeffrey Domina as his role model. He described Coach Domina as focused, intense and selfless, all qualities that McIntosh hopes to emulate as Captain.
Andover finished fourth in the New England Prep School Division in 2012 and first in the New England Prep School Division in 2013. McIntosh conjectures that team chemistry is directly correlated with its success in the end of the season interscholastic competition.
“Ethan is the best type of captain there is. He is encouraging without being overbearing and is always thoughtful with his actions,” said runner Keaton Kakkar ’15.
