As the school year comes to an end, the leadership and dedication of the senior captains on the Ultimate Frisbee team have left a lasting impact on both the program and their teammates. Through hard work, encouragement, and experience, senior captains Carter Gresko, Stella Boshoff, and Jacob Cockman helped guide the team through a competitive and memorable season while creating an environment built on teamwork and sportsmanship after the graduation of 11 seniors the previous year.
Their contributions to the program deserve to be recognized as they lead the team through various competitions at both the state and county levels.
“They did an outstanding job, recruiting new players and creating an environment that was both fun and competitive,” said Ultimate Frisbee Coach, Jonathan Sowder.
Senior captain Gresko became known for his energy and determination on the field. Whether it was leading warmups, organizing practices, or stepping up during close games, Gresko constantly pushed the team to improve. His leadership helped younger players grow more confident and comfortable in the fast-paced sport.
“This past fall at NC State Fields,” Gresko said, “coming in fifth place was a really great finish, and you know, it was great to share that with the team. I really enjoy that.”
Another key leader was senior captain Boshoff, whose communication and strategic thinking made her an important part of the team’s success. Boshoff often helped newer players learn game tactics and improve their skills, taking time after practice to offer advice and encouragement. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic earned the respect of both teammates and coaches, making her a role model on and off the field.
“One of my favorite memories is at states,” Boshoff said, “everybody looks exhausted, just coming out of the day, feeling accomplished, and everybody’s fears are so high, and it’s just really fun to see.”
Senior captain Cockman also played a major role in shaping the team this season. Known for his calm personality and consistency during games, Cockman helped keep the team focused under pressure. He emphasized teamwork above individual performance and constantly reminded players to support one another.
“Going into 2025-26, the captain knew that we’d have to completely rebuild the team and go through a lot of growing pains to sustain the program,” said Sowder.
As the season concludes, the contributions of Carter Gresko, Stella Boshoff, and Jacob Cockman will continue to influence the Ultimate Frisbee program long after graduation. With a second-place finish in the Wake County Developmental League, the seniors will graduate with a strong sense of pride from their impact on Ultimate Frisbee across the county during their time at Athens Drive.
“We also started the first girls’ ultimate team at Athens that allowed for other girls in Wake County without a girls’ team to compete together in the fall,” said Sowder.
