The afternoon sun hangs over Kinsley Field as the York College women's lacrosse team break their team huddle. Katie Jeanes steps forward, not just to take her position at midfield, but to set the tone.
 
No matter the moment, her presence is almost impossible to miss.  Her leadership and hard play on the field is a focal point that no spectator or opponent can ignore. For Jeanes, leadership doesn't just turn on when she steps on the field, it's something she does everyday.
 
Jeanes, one of the three captains for the 2026 season, has become an integral part of the program. Her leadership is defined by energy, consistency, and commitment to her teammates that extends beyond game day. Over the course of four years, she has grown into a leader that players look up to, not just for her play on the field, but because of the example she sets.  Whether she's staying after practice cleaning up the field or being the first one in everyday, she sets an example that everyone on the team follows.  
 
A senior midfielder from Lititz, Pennsylvania, Jeanes has been familiar with leadership roles in the past. She was senior captain of her high school lacrosse team and played club lacrosse for Phantastix West.
 
Off the field, she was a member of the Warwick National Honor Society, showing balance between academics and athletics. An injury her freshman year prevented her from appearing in any games that season.
 
However, this allowed her to develop into a leader and eventual captain of the team. Instead of focusing on what she couldn't do, Jeanes found ways to contribute that didn't involve her on-field play. She found that she was able to contribute to the team through encouraging fellow teammates from the sidelines as well as bringing a high energy to every practice and game. This experience helped grow her mindset on leadership, showing her that impact is not limited to statistics or playing time. 
 
Her teammate and fellow captain, Kate Feldman, has seen her growth firsthand.
 
"She's always the one at practice who's going the extra mile for the team," Feldman said. "Whether it's, cleaning up the field after practice or cheering someone on extra hard, like, effort, on a tough play. She's always the one putting in extra work off the field as well. Like, I always see her at the gym or on the field."
 
These actions by Jeanes are infectious to the team and creates a standard that her teammates follow. Her energy and effort on and off the field motivates everyone else to keep going even when things get tough. 
 
Head coach Jen Muston further emphasized Jeanes' ability to connect with everyone on the roster.
 
"She's super open to all the players, really approachable, and makes friendships across all the years," said Muston. "She's super vocal every day at practice. You know, willing us on, cheering us on, cheering her teammates on, making sure that her voice is always heard in a positive way. If you showed up as a stranger to one of our practices and I asked you to try to tell me based on what you see in their behavior, who the captains are, you would definitely pick her out just by the way she acts."
 
There's more to being a captain than just putting up the statistics on the field and being a leader on the field. Jeanes' ability to create a great team culture amongst all of her teammates is something that not every captain can do. Being a positive vocal leader allows the team to bounce back when things don't go as planned. Her leadership keeps everyone motivated which is a key reason why this team is so successful. 
 
Over the past two years, Jeanes has played a major role in York's trips to the NCAA tournament.  Furthermore, her contributions have led the team to a cumulative record of 32-11 over the past two seasons. Lastly, she has contributed 17 goals and 3 assists over the past two seasons so she makes her mark on a team filled with goal scorers.
 
This mindset was originally shaped by the injury she suffered which gave her a different perspective on being a leader.
 
"Even if I'm not having the best day personally, or maybe I don't feel like I'm playing well, being able to remember that  it's not just my job to be a good player, and to get the stats and perform physically," said Jeanes. "But also to be there for my teammates, and to be really encouraging, and to be a leader that way."
 
That perspective has stayed with her through her four year career at York. Whether she's performing at her best or facing challenges, she knows leadership is about presence and consistency. She is someone that her teammates can rely on, on and off the field. 
 
Going into her final year, the team is set on winning a fourth straight Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championship. However, her impact isn't just on the field, but also the things she does off the field. Jeanes is part of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), where she led a presentation on revamping SAAC here at York. While some seniors would have just focused on their final season, she is leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit student athletes for years to come. 
 
As the team gathers once again, sticks raised and voices echoing across the field, Jeanes is at the center of it. She doesn't demand attention because she has earned it all. For Jeanes, it's not just about the title of captain, it's bringing the leadership presence everyday.