Athlete of the Week: Hannah Wellington '14

Field hockey star and outstanding tri-varsity athlete, senior Hannah Wellington does not disappoint on or off the field. Whether it be on Moxie, the varsity field hockey team at Exeter, the Seacoast United Field Hockey team, or the USA Field Hockey Developmental Program, this midfielder plays the role of a dedicated leader.Wellington competed in the field hockey Junior Olympics in 2011 in Texas, where her team took home gold, and again in New Orleans going into her upper year, where her team won a copper medal. From there, she qualified for Futures Elite, a National Training program of around 60-70 girls, from which the U19 and U17 National Team were selected.This program was as an incredible experience for Wellington. “I learned so much about field hockey, even about the basics that I did not understand before,” she said.Her coaches played a large part in helping Wellington improve and develop. “Starting with my father as my coach when I was a little kid up until my club coaches and coaches at Exeter, every one of them has impacted me as a player,” she said. “I love all of my coaches and they are extremely influential in my life.”“Hannah’s skills and tactical knowledge exceeds most at the high school level. She has all the tools needed to be a premier player in Division I and will continue to develop as her field hockey career goes on,” girls’ varsity field hockey coach Samantha Carr said.Wellington was inspired to begin her field hockey career by her father, who coaches field hockey. She received her first stick while she was in second grade. “I joined my first team in 6th grade but I have been playing on the sidelines ever since I was a little girl,” Wellington said.As a two-year captain, Wellington has done a great job guiding the team. “ ‘Welly’ leads by example everyday at practice, she has been a sounding voice and one of the most consistent players I have seen, which as a coach, is a true blessing to have,” Carr said.“I’d say Hannah Wellington definitely leads by example. She puts 100% into every practice and every workout. Her drive and motivation definitely rub off on the team,” upper Michaela Morris said.“As a captain, she is goofy and fun but turns into a leader when the team needs it, especially during games. You can always count on hearing Hannah’s voice guiding you during a game,” upper Marley Jenkins said.The skills that Wellington has acquired from experience rubs off on the team. “She knows so much about the sport that’s its hard for her not to be a leader. Her knowledge allows her to lead the team in a very constructive manner,” senior Katy Kinnon said.Wellington inspires the team to play their best. “She’s obviously incredibly knowledgeable, so her own high standard bring the standards of the team, and the individual standard each player holds themselves at, to a higher level of play,” senior Hannah Myers said.“I don’t know how she does it, but she makes weaving a ball between the feet of 5 opposing players look effortless,” lower Tess Drauschak said.Wellington is also supportive to the other girls on the team. “She’s not super intimidating. She gets along with everyone and is always laughing and making jokes. It definitely helps keep the atmosphere of practice fun,” Morris said.“She knows how to make it fun, and even when the team is having a bad day, she has a way of just flipping a switch and completely changing team outlook,” Drauschak said.“Hannah has an incredible presence on the field, but more than that she carries the team through practice with humor and a high energy attitude. Her suggestions for her teammates are unobtrusive and well thought through,” Myers said.Not only is Wellington a phenomenal field hockey player, but she will also be captain of varsity girls lacrosse this spring and was captain of the JV field hockey team last winter.“I came to Exeter planning on playing field hockey and lacrosse but I also picked up ice hockey for the first time prep year,” Wellington said. “I had never played before and I am still pretty bad but I think my good work ethic and abilities as an athlete that I developed from field hockey show up in my other sports.”The team looks forward to a good fall, with Wellington as captain. “She continues to push herself and her teammates and I have no doubt she will continue to do that throughout the season,” Carr said. “Welly doesn’t know how to not work hard. She continues to push herself and her teammates and I have no doubt she will continue to do that throughout the season.”“Field hockey has been a huge part of my life. It is a lot of work but I love the sport. It is different from any other sport I have ever played. At the higher levels it is really about connecting as a team and playing as a team unlike any other sport.”Wellington will leave a huge impression on her teams and the school when she leaves.“Hannah will continue to be a leader on and off the field. She will be a liaison from the players to the staff so we can move forward together as a team,” Carr said.Wellington hopes to continue her field hockey career in college.  “I would love to play at the Division I level in college. In the future I plan to coach at camps and still participate and this sport because it is such a huge part of my life,” Wellington said. “Overall, I just want to enjoy it for as long as I can because playing sports in general is something I cannot imagine my life without.”