Athlete of the Week: Sterling Weatherbie

Senior Sterling Weatherbie, also known as “Sterl,” “Pearl” or “Squirrel” by teammates, has been living his life according to a single mantra for the past 3 years. Selflessly leading the soccer team as captain, the abbreviation  “FTB” (for the boys) perfectly sums up Weatherbie and his achievements at Exeter.

Griffin Py, a Class of 2014 alum, one of Sterling’s childhood friends, former teammate and ex dorm-mate, shared his sentiments about Sterl’s contributions to the team.

“Sterl is just the ultimate team player, entirely void of ego and willing to play any role that the team needs,” Py said. “He’s a very selfless individual, very high energy and a positive contribution to any team he plays on.”

Sterling has pursued sports his entire life, learning to skate at age two and running cross-country in lower and middle school. He only considered soccer “a side sport” until age thirteen when he recognized his potential to play collegiate soccer.

“When I finished middle school, I started to get knee problems, so I stopped running and started focusing on soccer,” Sterling said. “Then when I came to Exeter, I decided that soccer would be my main sport, and that was what I could get into college for.” Recently, Sterling committed to Tufts University.

Sterling made the varsity soccer squad as a new lower and was the only lower on the team who started. That year, the team was ranked third in the country and made it to the New England championship against Berkshire. He was also a member of the varsity hockey team his first year at PEA, which he stated was “a pretty big achievement in and of itself.”

Now a senior, Sterling has been elected captain by both the soccer team and the hockey team. He believes that he “was chosen for very different reasons in each sport.” In soccer, he leads by example on the field, and also has a great connection with the members of the team. Ted Hart, Senior co-captain of both the boys varsity soccer and hockey teams, said regarding soccer, “Sterling is not only the most talented player on the team, but he's also the hardest worker. His competitive level rubs off on the rest of the team and motivates them to match his work ethic.” He went on, “He makes practices competitive and fun which helps our team develop and improve every time we step on the field.” For the hockey team, he believes that his competitive spirit clinched him the spot as captain.

Now, as captain of both squads, Sterling leads with contagious enthusiasm. Boys’ varsity soccer coach Arthur Joseph Cosgrove agreed and complimented Sterling’s unwavering spirit. “Sterling has learned how to manage his energy and enthusiasm in a positive way. He’s a complete team leader.” He continued, “He works hard, plays hard, competes hard, and is able to maintain perspective when things don’t go his way.”

Not only does Sterling act as a leadership figure on the pitch and on the ice, but also in the dorms. “He hosts study sessions in Ewald for some of our uppers who are benefitting from his serious approach to getting things done,” Cosgrove mentioned. “My greatest pleasure comes from hearing his teachers talk about how much they enjoy his attitude and enthusiasm in the classroom.”

“He’s definitely our energy source. He’s always hyped all the time, always positive, and we really feed off that.”

Derrick Spencer ‘16 echoed his sentiments on Sterling’s effects on the team dynamics. “He’s definitely our energy source. He’s always hyped all the time, always positive, and we really feed off that.” Spencer also commented on his ability not only to lead the team, but make sure everyone has fun. “He wants to win, but he also wants to have fun and he wants everyone else to have fun. The best way I can describe it is that he’s looking to have a good time so he can look back in life and think I’m really glad that I did that.”

Lucas Stevens ‘18 also stated, “On the field, Sterling has a great presence. He is confident and fearless. Off the field, Sterling is a good social role model and knows how to get us pumped up.” He spoke more about Sterling’s role as a team player, saying “the strongest part of Sterling's game is his ability to connect teammates and maintain a strong team spirit.”

Many of Sterling’s teammates agreed that one of Sterling’s most admirable qualities is his ability to connect with people. Lower Quintin Distefano stated, “Sterl has a connection with every player on the team along with the coaches, making him the perfect leader.” Spencer agreed with him, saying “he develops relationships with the coaches, and that keeps it light for everyone else.”

Looking toward the future, Sterling acknowledges that Hart and he will face the challenge of conflicting interests when the end of the soccer season overlaps the start of hockey season. “A challenge this year is gonna be playing soccer while also being the captain for hockey, because there is a two week overlap… there will have to be other leaders on the team stepping up, but I think there are already guys doing that.”

Selfless as ever, Sterling’s biggest regret lies in that fact he won’t be able to meet the new players taking up the mantle until he returns. “It’s gonna be hard not getting to know the new kids then stepping into that role in the winter.”

Upper Henry Behrens succinctly stated “if I could pick a person I want my kids to be like, it would be Sterling Weatherbie.” He went on to declare “all in all I love Sterling Weatherbie with a fiery passion.”

“Plus he's super handsome,” added Py.