NORMAL - Just when we were resigning ourselves to the unstoppable decline in the number of three-sport high school athletes, along comes Steve Ross.

The Normal West High School senior has not only participated in cross country, wrestling and track, he has been a team captain in each.

It's a feat that may have been accomplished by others, but the veteran staff of The Pantagraph sports department can't recall such an occurrence.

"I have not heard of a three-sport captain," said Normal West track coach Steve Destri. "It is hard enough to find a three-sport athlete."

Those contacted for this story have several theories about why Ross has repeatedly been named or voted captain. The recurring themes are his work ethic in training, his refusal to give up in competition and his friendly manner.

Wildcat cross country coach Den Patten wants his captains to work hard and motivate others to do the same.

"I can't remember a single time I didn't see Steve giving his all," Patten said.

While many focus on their own performances, Ross has shown he cares about how others do as well.

"Steve is a respected student, person and athlete," said wrestling coach Jim Eaton. "He works hard and gets along with students and athletes from all grade levels."

Ross doesn't limit his caring to high school athletes.

"I chose Steve to be a captain because he cares about all the athletes in our program as well as the runners in our junior high program," Destri said.

Ross says his triple captaincy is "pretty neat to have that honor." He takes the captain's job seriously, but that includes a serious effort to make sure teammates are having fun.

"In wrestling, we would play games every now and then - wrestling related - to relieve stress," he said. "In track, we always mess around and joke around, the same in cross country. While we are running, we are telling jokes."

Ross believes a captain also must know when it's time for a team to get serious. Asked if his teammates listen, he said, "Luckily, they do."

"He'll speak up if somebody isn't doing what they are supposed to," confirmed cross country and track co-captain Reid Basting.

It has helped that Ross has made an impact in each sport.

Last fall, he was the fifth man for a Big 12 Conference and regional championship cross country squad.

In wrestling, he was a sectional qualifier, going 33-6 at 160 pounds with help from a 21-bout winning streak. He followed a 15-7 sophomore campaign with a 28-9 record as a junior when he won a Big 12 crown as the Wildcats captured their first league title.

"He showed the desire, dedication and commitment it takes to be a successful wrestler. He provided everyone in the wrestling room with an excellent role model," said Eaton, whose star will wrestle for Southern Illinois-Edwardsville next season while studying for a degree in medicine, engineering or teaching.

In track, Ross was a member of last spring's Pantagraph Honor Roll Meet winning 3,200-meter relay. He lowered his career best split to 2 minutes, 3.1 seconds during the indoor season this year.

"Steve is a classic overachiever who gives 100 percent all the time," Destri said. "I can't think of a better role model for younger athletes to follow."

Wrestling teammate Nathaniel Eaton has never seen Ross reject someone's friendship.

"He always seems to embrace everyone as a teammate," Nathaniel Eaton said. "He's friendly no matter who you are."

"He definitely talks to a wide range of people," agreed track co-captain Jonny Kaufmann. "He'll be open with anyone."

Ross' parents, Mike and Sheri, can vouch for that.

"He has always been very outgoing," Sheri said. "Back in seventh grade with wrestling, he talked to those on other teams as well as his own teammates. There are very few people in sports within the five (Intercity) high schools he doesn't know."

One such opponent is Normal Community wrestler Tony Troemel, who has known Ross for three years.

"He has a lot of good leadership qualities," Troemel said. "He's a great guy and a good athlete."

NCHS wrestling coach Dave Baeten agrees.

"He's one of those kids you root for no matter where he goes to school," Baeten said. "As a wrestling coach, I appreciate kids like him being in the wrestling world. He gives the sport a good name."

Two years ago, Ross became an Eagle Scout after collecting 36 merit badges, 15 more than he needed.

"He's your typical first-born overachiever," said his mother, who has three children.

Ross' Eagle Scout project was the construction of three signs for East Bay Camp at Lake Bloomington.

"That helps out being around those types of people and that environment," he said of the Boy Scouts. "It helps your personality a lot."

Ross became a Cub Scout in first grade and rotated through various leadership positions throughout his scouting career. One of his scout leaders, Troy Gee, isn't surprised Ross became a three-sport captain.

"Steve always was recognized as a leader within the troop by the other boys," Gee said. "He often led by showing you can have a lot of fun doing things.

"He was one of those leaders where you knew Steve was in charge of something, but you also knew he was a co-worker. He's in the trenches with you."

Ross' father credits the Boy Scouts for fostering his son's leadership skills.

"He was a leader to the younger scouts," Mike Ross said. "The scouts taught him a lot about leadership and a lot of self confidence. He is just confident."

Ross credits his parents for "really getting me excited about scouts."

As a test of his leadership, Ross was asked what he would do if he learned teammates had consumed alcohol.

"I would probably talk to them, just tell them to get their act together," he said. "If they get caught, they are just kind of screwed. We had that problem last year with the football team. Luckily the teams I'm on, we really don't have any issues of that sort."

Ross chose to participate in three of the more grueling sports that are offered.

"I've had lot of fun with it," he shrugged. "I just love being around competition, always being able to push myself to that next level and try to get myself better."

It helps to have good co-captains. Joining those mentioned above were Steven Kinney (cross country), Jesse Holliger (track), Adrian Walden (wrestling) and Christian Stevens (wrestling).

"I've met a lot of nice people," Ross said. "Most of these guys I'll probably be friends with for life."

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Steve Ross profile

High school: Normal West

Year: Senior

Parents: Mike and Sheri

Sports: Cross country, wrestling and track