Athletes Of The Week: Max Gross, Tarek Khartabil And Quintin DiStefano

Heading towards the goal, the ball flies through the air at 70 miles per hour. It’s travelling at such a high speed that an average goalie would fail to stop it in time. However, senior Max Gross leaps into the air, cupping the spinning ball in his hands and defending the goal a split second before it reaches the net. He scans the vast field for an open teammate. Gross aims and kicks, and the ball arcs through the sky and lands into the possession of senior Quintin DiStefano. DiStefano dodges helpless defenders and passes the ball to senior Tarek Khartabil, who kicks the ball heartily, rocketing it into the net. The crowd goes wild—the trio have done it again.As co-captains of the boys’ varsity soccer team, Gross, DiStefano and Khartabil take on the large responsibility of carrying the boys through all 20 of their games this season.Gross is a Division I recruit goalie, known for the passion and energy he brings to every practice and game. He strives to be the supporting backbone of the team, motivating his teammates during practice.Senior Alistair Matule commented on Gross’s optimistic attitude. “Whether it be pre-game or half-time, Max always has the right mentality and mindset,” he said.Gross’s dedication to the sport was evident in his goals heading into his final season at the Academy. “I want to be there as much as I can, giving it my all in my last year here,” Gross said.

“Last year, in the dining hall, Max and Quintin both came up and they expressed their readiness for the game even in the dining hall during lunch the day of the game. They both showed they were excited and hyped up to play in the game and to do the best they could.”

DiStefano, a left midfielder, shares a similar mentality to Gross, using his drive to win to fuel the team during the game.“Quintin is one of those players who gives their 110 percent every minute of the game. I definitely respect him for that,” Matule said.Along with their ability to focus on the game, the captains also maintain a laidback atmosphere, keeping it lighthearted. Prep Jamie Lowell praised the captains’ ability to remain flexible in different situations. “All the captains joke around but they get serious when they need everyone to focus,” he said.Gross has been playing soccer all of his life. Going out on a limb, Gross tried the position of goalie, sticking to that position from that day on. He began to seriously partake in the game at the age of 12, enjoying the competitive drive. Gross came to Exeter as a new lower and has played on varsity all three years. Coming from an environment where he practiced the sport year-round, Exeter was a big change.Of all the positive things to be said about the team, Gross emphasized the unity among team members. “It’s great to see our preps and lowers becoming good friends with the seniors and postgraduates. One example can be seen in the budding bromance between prep Jamie Lowell and [postgraduate] Ignacio (Nacho) [Roitman],” he said.DiStefano, like Gross, began playing soccer in his early years, starting at the age of four. He has always looked up to his older brother, who was his biggest influence in soccer. Some of his earliest memories of the sport came from spectating at his brother’s soccer games. Quintin came to Exeter as a prep and has played on the team all four years.“Thirteen years of soccer, and I’m still in love with the game,” DiStefano said.DiStefano and Gross are the backbone of the team, both known to be enthusiastic leaders and bringing laughter and motivation to every one of their teammates.Matule praised their dedication and ambition, saying, “Both of them have shown their competitive drive and their desire to win and to make it to the next level in the very competitive league that we play in.”Matule recalled a distinct memory of Gross and DiStefano’s spirit before a highly anticipated game against Northfield Mount Hermon. “Last year, in the dining hall, Max and Quintin both came up and they expressed their readiness for the game even in the dining hall during lunch the day of the game. They both showed they were excited and hyped up to play in the game and to do the best they could.”Gross and DiStefano are both inspiring leaders and are role models for their team both on and off the soccer field. As the two reflect on their experiences at the Academy, it is apparent how much the soccer team has influenced their lives here.“Exeter soccer has been and continues to be one of the most valuable experiences of my time at PEA. I have learned so much about competing and motivation from playing for this team,” DiStefano said.