Brynn Gingras ’04 has been named captain of the 2003-04 women’s basketball team.

As the team’s starting point guard, Gingras distinguished herself as a vocal and exemplary leader, head coach Amy Backus said. After a vote by her teammates, Gingras received the news of her election victory at the team’s annual banquet April 15.

Gingras said she was surprised to be chosen from the group of six rising seniors. “Any one of them would have been a great captain,” she said.

Gingras averaged 6.4 points per game in 17 games last season. She earned her team’s admiration despite being sidelined with a broken thumb during the second half of the season.

“She did a great job of staying involved, leading the team from the bench,” Backus said.

The injury helped Gingras develop her leadership abilities. “I really had to be a voice,” she said.

She had little trouble speaking when necessary this season. “I speak up a lot on the court, and off the court I’m always making sure people are feeling well,” she said. “The biggest thing is making people feel important.”

During her first year at Yale, Gingras led all freshmen in playing time and was fifth on the team in scoring. A year later, she started all 27 games at point guard and had five double-digit scoring games.

Backus said Gingras’ healthy presence at point guard will help the team achieve its top goal — improved defense — next season.

“I’m thrilled that Brynn is going to be a leader in that [effort],” Backus said.

Gingras, originally from Wallingford, will have an early opportunity to perform in her new role next month as the team travels to Australia to train and compete.

–Martin Toomajian