RMHS senior Jack Filipski is accomplishing an uncommon feat this year as a three-sport captain.
Filipski has been a captain for the Boys Varsity Cross Country team in the fall, and will also be a captain for the Boys Varsity Ice Hockey team in the winter, and Boys Varsity Lacrosse team in the spring.
Filipski has been on both varsity lacrosse and cross country since his freshman year and ice hockey since his sophomore year. He has experienced stunning team success during that time. This includes winning the Boys Lacrosse Division 2 State Championship in 2023, the Boys Division 1C state championship this fall, and reaching the final four in the Boys Ice Hockey state tournament during the 2022-23 season.
Filipski doesn’t take the honor of being a captain lightly and has shown an understanding of what it takes to be a good captain. One of the qualities that Filipski values is the ability to lead by example. “You can always be a good captain with your voice,” Filipski says, “but if you can do it by leading by example, if you can do that, then I think it’s much more impactful.”
Filipski works hard to manage his time and balance commitments to sports and the classroom. Filipski is taking 3 AP classes, Biology, Statistics, and Calculus, along with attending captains practices for the sports not currently in season. “During fall seasons, I’m playing three sports on top of trying to do school work, trying to stay in shape, trying to work out, trying to eat right.”
This commitment to schoolwork was recently acknowledged as Filipski was inducted into RMHS’s chapter of the National Honor Society on October 29. National Honor Society recognizes students for their academic success, in addition to their leadership, character and community service.
Unfortunately for Filipski, injuries have not been kind to him to start his senior year. An ankle injury sidelined Filipski for much of cross country, and after his return, a knee injury has put him out for the balance of the cross country season and possibly for part of the hockey season.
Even through these injuries in cross country, Filipski has continued to display the qualities of a good captain. This leadership has been noticed by RMHS senior and fellow cross country teammate Henry Schromm. “Even through all the injuries and trouble, some things he’s had, he’s still been a great leader and he’s shown up to every practice each day, even though he can’t run,” Schromm said. “And he’s just been pushing through, and, you know, you can tell he really wants to see other people succeed.”
Filipski has committed to play lacrosse at Endicott College next year, where he will look to continue his academic and athletic success.
