Athlete of the Week: Ernesto Brown

With the team down by one and only two seconds left before the buzzer, senior Ernesto Brown explodes out of the water, arm wound. He fires the ball across the pool from 10 meters out, nailing the top corner of the goal, tying the game for Big Red, to seize the win in overtime.

Brown, co-captain of boys’ varsity water polo and boys’ varsity swimming, is a powerful and prolific player who dominates the pool. But Brown is more than a great player for Exeter. He rallies his teammates to action and empowers them to make each play to keep swimming when it feels like they’re drowning and to keep fighting even when they’re down by the double digits. Brown is a force to be reckoned with—a friend, a teammate, a big brother and a fierce, unwavering leader all at the same time.

Brown first started playing water polo in an effort to try something new, and since then, the game’s intensity and uniqueness has drawn him back year by year. According to boys’ varsity water polo coach Don Mills, Brown has grown tremendously during the last three years playing water polo for Exeter, evolving from a novice into an experienced leader. Mills recalled his first impression of Brown. “He needed to get in better shape honestly,” Mills said. But now Mills praises Brown as “a strong, dominant player.” Over the years, Brown has worked hard to become the great player, leader and mentor he is today. 

“Ernesto has a strong spirit and brings intensity and passion to his style of play.”

When asked what some of Brown’s greatest strengths were, many people included qualities such as strength, intensity and passion for his sport.

“Ernesto has never once shown up to practice with less than 100 percent to give from the time he was a lower with me to now as a co-captain. His energy, knowledge of the game and passion drive us to play our best and strive for the same intensity,” senior and co-captain David Shepley said. 

Brown is a true role model for the rest of the team; he motivates the younger players to stay focused and give the sport their all, whether it be in a game or just a practice. Many players admire Brown, “the vocal leader of the team,” as lower Harry Saunders said.   

“As captain, he knows how to be hard on the team in a motivational way. That’s what really sets him apart. After a tough loss to Hopkins last weekend, Ernesto led us back to the locker room. He spoke and helped us regain our confidence for the next game,” Saunders said. 

Lower Taylor Walshe echoed Saunders comments. Walshe said Brown sets a great example for his team. Balancing seriousness with humor, Brown seems to always know what to say and do to reach his teammates. “Playing with Ernesto is intense but he is a phenomenal athlete. He is a super funny dude. As a captain he is a strong leader and always pushes are team to work our hardest.”

Aside from motivating his teammates, Brown also has a huge physical presence in the pool. His power is a major asset for the team. “He has a very powerful shot. In one game, a goalie actually ducked out of the way of his shot,” Saunders said.

Brown can not only overpower his opponents, but also outsmart them. According to many of his teammates, Brown holds a rare and deep understanding of water polo that no one else on the team possesses. Brown imparts this knowledge upon his teammates and is able to make them better and stronger players in areas they had never imagined before.

“As our team’s most knowledgeable and aware player, Ernesto provides tips all the way from the youngest player to me as another captain. It has been a blessing to our team over the past three years to have Ernesto a part of the squad,” Shepley said.

The team is younger this year, and many of the players are still relatively new to the sport. In leading Big Red this season, Brown hopes to share his knowledge of the game and help the younger players become even better players. “I have a lot of experience playing water polo which is good on the team because we have a lot of kids who are pretty new to the sport. So I’m able to help kids with form and shot,” Brown said.

Most of all, Brown simply loves the sport. His love shines through to all that see him play or speak to his team. “Ernesto has a strong spirit and brings intensity and passion to his style of play,” Mills said. 

Shepley agreed with Mills, describing Brown’s love for the sport as inspiring. “His whole heart and soul are in this game. How can you not strive to give your all when you know the guy you’re playing with is all in every day? This question is something that motivates me and that I assume keeps the whole team pushing whether it be the last quarter of a game or the first of our third,” Shepley said.

Brown holds many great memories from his water polo career, going into his third and final year at Exeter. One of his favorites happened this past weekend when the team was in triple overtime in their game against Choate Rosemary Hall and the score was tied up 15-15. “I had fouled out along with some other good players on my team, and [upper] John Wang hit a shot from 12 meters from way outside to win it in sudden death, [triple] overtime, and it was insane.  One of the craziest things I’ve ever seen,” Brown said. 

This memory is a great example of the team pride and feeling of respect Brown has for his teammates. Brown never views himself as a superior to his teammates. Brown constantly recognizes his teammates when looking back on his experiences, instead of just focusing on his own successes, demonstrating the quality sportsmanship and tight brotherhood of the team.

“I’d like to think that we all think of ourselves as one big family and that we’re all equal. I just happen to be someone, more of an older brother rather than a parent. I supply guidance and good motivation, rather than just telling people what to do,” Brown said.