Athlete of the Week: Kaleigh Conte

In their signature Crocs, a group of Exonians squeak through the gym hallways as snow piles up on the ground outside. Heads turn as they walk through Love Gym. “Who are they?” a confused prep asks.

"Joining the team as a new lower, Conte has led twenty of Exeter’s strongest female ice hockey players through a rigorous schedule of twenty-five games each winter season."

“I don’t know, but they’re on the varsity girls’ ice hockey team,” a senior answers with a smile. Both students look on as the group speeds up past the squash courts and towards the rink.

Leading the group is Kaleigh Conte, a three-year senior and captain of the girls’ varsity ice hockey team. Joining the team as a new lower, Conte has led twenty of Exeter’s strongest female ice hockey players through a rigorous schedule of twenty-five games each winter season.

Inspired by her older brother, Conte began skating at the age of three. Two years later, she picked up a hockey stick, which immediately sparked her passion. Although her older brother did not pursue ice hockey in college, Conte credits him as a “big influence” in her sporting career. Conte added that her brother “always pushed [her]” to train and improve her skills. Seeing him play Division 1 football at Boston College introduced her to the possibility of pursuing sports, and she became more involved in hockey.

She also credits her parents for helping her to become the athlete she is now. After she decided to start her athletic career by playing ice hockey, Conte recalled that “both her parents were very supportive.” She thanked her mother for sacrificing her personal time to “drive her everywhere.”

After coming to Exeter as a new lower, Conte joined the varsity hockey team. She described how the program not only helped her grow as an athlete, but also provided her the opportunity to meet new people. Her teammates are “the best thing I’ve gotten from ice hockey,” Conte said. “There’s so many supportive people and they just understand what you’re going through.”

The team dynamic helps make hockey practice one of Conte’s favorite aspects of each day. “When I’m having a bad day, I can let go of everything and go to hockey and get my mind off of it,” Conte said.

The team’s chemistry translates to better plays on the ice. Coach Melissa Pacific, Conte’s “second mother,” needed a center-position player for the team. Because of Conte’s flexibility and selflessness, she switched to play the needed position despite being a lifelong defender. After a few games, the team needed her back on defense, and Conte was ready to switch back “without missing a beat,” Pacific said. She described Conte as “an amazing kid who would do anything for anyone.”

Conte also cares for her teammates off of the ice. In addition to wearing Crocs before and after practices as the team’s form of unity, Conte also started a new tradition to make laminated cards of inspirational quotes that she distributes before each game. Conte describes it as “a unifying [custom] that tries to get the players into the winning mindset.” Lower Jenna Brooks complimented Conte’s enthusiasm for the team. “It’s just little things like that that make her a special person and a really great captain,” Brooks said.

Conte is also known for her sense of humor. Upper Jane Collins, a fellow team member and dorm mate in McConnell Hall, recalled the hilarious gift Conte gave her. “Kaleigh had me for Secret Santa this year and she got me a giant box of every inside joke that we’ve ever had,” Collins explained. The box contained an Exeter fanny pack that Conte specially customized to have Collins’ jersey number on it. “She just puts a lot of time and effort into everything, and I think we all appreciate that,” Collins said.

Throughout her time as captain, Conte has learned many valuable lessons that have been pivotal to both her athletic and academic career. One lesson distinctly came to her mind. “I would say probably the most important thing I learned at Exeter is how to ask for help, and how it’s not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength,” she reflected.

Conte emphasized how, during her time as captain, she wants to share this mindset with the team and make both the new and returning players feel comfortable to voice their opinions and reach out for assistance.

Pacific commended Conte for her positive, hard-working attitude. “She had to battle in the classroom and on the ice. The work was hard for her at first and even on the ice, she didn’t get a regular shift.  She really has succeeded since her first term on campus,” Pacific said. “She has excelled in the classroom and on the ice; we couldn’t ask for anything more from her.” 

Although she has not determined which college she will be attending next year, Conte definitely wants to continue playing ice hockey after Exeter, in addition to majoring in English.

It’s hard for her team to imagine what next year will be like without Conte. “I’ll miss how observant she is when anyone is having a tough day. She’ll always go out of her way to make sure everyone is okay,” Collins expressed.

Pacific agreed in saying, “It’s heartbreaking to think she is graduating. I am trying to savor every moment of her senior year.” 

Come see Conte in action this Friday night at 5pm as her team takes on Rivers School.