Athlete of the Week: Sarah Brown
In the words of upper Elly Lee: “If there’s one thing everybody can agree on, it’s that everybody loves Sarah Brown.”
Whether she’s leading the Girl’s Cross Country team to victory or checking in on her fellow dorm mates as proctor in Langdell, senior Sarah Brown is admired campus-wide. “Sarah always has a positive attitude and a bright smile,” lower Gabby Brown said. “She is an exceptional proctor and person -- I always feel comfortable talking to her about anything.” Lee agreed with Brown, adding, “She’s the type to ask how your day was and then genuinely care and listen.”
Brown’s optimism and genuine concern for others translates to her role as co-captain. Madison Kang, a lower on the cross country team, said, “Sarah is a great leader. Her positivity and enthusiasm make even the long runs fun and enjoyable.”
Brown and senior Christine Hu were voted in as captains by the team at the end of last year’s season. Under Brown’s leadership as co-captain, the cross country team has won a race against the St. Paul’s School and placed first in the Black Bear Invitational. A particularly exciting win for Brown took place at the Codfish Bowl in Boston. “Since my prep year Andover has beat us, but this year at the Codfish Bowl Invitational, we finally placed higher than them,” Brown said. This year, Exeter came in second place, a three-place advance from last year’s score.
Brown was encouraged to join the cross country team by her brother during her first year at school. “He told me it would be good to be on a team-- I didn’t know that it would be one of the best choices I made at Exeter,” Brown explained. “Now, I love the people, the sport and the training.” For Brown, the cross country team is her family.
“She is selfless and kind, hardworking and talented, caring and funny.”
Upper Sara Kopunova admires Brown’s eagerness and dedication to the sport. “Sarah is a great leader,” Kopunova said. “She’s super enthusiastic and makes sure everybody knows what they’re doing.”
Brown’s uplifting attitude and cheerful encouragements helps everyone on cross country to do their best. “She helps motivate the team to work our hardest,” Lower Hanna Pak said. Upper Anna Clark commented on how Brown achieves this by putting other’s feelings and conditions before her own. “Sarah puts her frustrations or disappointment aside if she is having a bad day in order to keep everyone’s spirits up.”
To Brown, a team mentality that focuses on unity, rather than competition, is extremely important. “We train together, working with each other instead of against each other,” she explained. “Afterward, we race in packs.”
Brown also makes sure to get to know each team member individually. “I am friends with some of the slowest and some of the fastest people on our team,” Brown said. “There is no hierarchy.” Pak testified to this, adding, “She makes a great effort to connect with everyone on the team, regardless of age or speed.”
For Pak, Brown’s dedication to each runner is evident. “During preseason my prep year, I was getting dropped on our first long run, but Sarah stayed with me to make sure I could find my way back and I had someone to run with,” Pak said. Kang echoed Pak’s statement, citing her experience with Brown’s friendliness and inclusiveness. “She does a great job making the new runners feel welcome,” Kang said. She also commented on Brown’s commitment to each individual team member’s well-being. “Sarah is always asking how our school day was or how our practice was. She really looks out for the team at practice and on campus.”
Brown is also known for her sense of humor, both within the dorm and on the track. Kopunova commented on Brown’s dedication to the cross country’s Friday dress-up days. “She always goes hard -- she comes in wearing a crazy costume and makes everyone laugh!” Upper Jo de La Bruyere reiterated Kopunova’s statement, saying, “I have never laughed harder than I have with Sarah.”
With regards to the future, Brown has high hopes for the cross country team. “Interschols is at Exeter this year, which means that we will have a home course advantage,” she said. “I hope that our team wins and I believe in all the runners.”
Brown’s confidence in -- and love for -- her dorm and teammates is admired by all who know her. “She is selfless and kind, hardworking and talented, caring and funny,” Bruyere said. “Every minute I spend with Sarah makes me a better person. She inspires me, and everyone around her, to push their limits and be the best they can be.”