Athlete of the Week: JD Jean-Jacques
By Emma Liu‘22
Coming into the season with a 11-5-2 record from last year, the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team is facing a whole new set of challenges this fall. Socially distant training is challenging at best, but under senior captain JD Jean-Jacques, the team has shown their resilience and ability to adapt, resulting in yet another successful season.
Jean-Jacques started playing soccer at the age of four. “At the time, I thought soccer was the coolest sport after watching teams play,” he said. “I gave up playing tennis, squash and flag football at a young age in order to pursue soccer year round.”
Fast-forward to his senior year, and Jean-Jacques’ position as captain is well-deserved. “JD first struck me as a quiet, yet assertive and strong character… That’s exactly what makes him a great captain,” senior Matthew Chen said.
“JD is always looking for ways to better his teammates,” lower Cam Guthrie added. “[He is] very respectful, humble and an overall leader at heart.”
Chen, who has been playing with Jean-Jacques since their lower year, also noted that he “leads by example.”
Senior Alex Fraser noted that Jean-Jacques is also a highly skilled player. “JD isn’t the loudest kid in the locker room, but… he earns the team’s respect through his tenacity in practice and in games,” Fraser said.
Guthrie affirmed this thought. Last year, in a game against Choate, “you could tell how badly [Jean-Jacques] wanted to win… [He] played very smart and collected,” Guthrie said. “I clearly remember being impressed by the way JD was playing.”
During practices this season, Chen said Jean-Jacques “kept spirits high,” even when basic elements of practice such as scrimmaging were not possible.
Fraser added that, with the two other captains learning remotely, “JD did not anticipate having to lead both the Varsity and JV kids, as well as all new students.” Still, Fraser said, Jean-Jacques did a stellar job.
“JD… has to step up even more now than during a regular season. He’s had to make sure we are on top of our game and grinding during each practice, and has done so,” Guthrie mentioned. Despite the many changes the team has undergone this season, it is clear that Jean-Jacques played a big part in the success of this season. Guthrie also expressed his admiration and respect for Jean-Jacques and said “everyone, myself included, is excited to have the opportunity to train with such a hard worker.”
Jean-Jacques expressed his pride for the team as well. He acknowledged that “many of the bonds that are formed…come from fighting together on the field,” and without games “it will take a little extra effort on all of our behalf to create those bonds.” Though there are challenges, Jean-Jacques said “we’ve really turned this new experience into our own…we’ve all been encouraging each other to stay positive and optimistic.”
When asked about the most memorable moments with the team, Jean-Jacques said that “some of the most memorable moments I’ve had with the team are during dinners and pickup games,” demonstrating the importance of camaraderie and community within the team. “We’re probably not going to play any games, so the focus is on enjoying our time together as a team and bonding with the new players,” Chen added.
As he plays his final season at Exeter, Jean-Jacques hopes to “encourage an elevated sense of community” and “[express] to the team how important community is.” COVID-19 caused unprecedented changes to the season, but Jean-Jacques is determined to maintain the bonds between players that he felt in his prior seasons at Exeter.
Reflecting back on the past four years at the Academy, he said with appreciation that “Exeter has taught me how to become more of a community member and how to go after my pursuits at full throttle.”