Underclassmen Shine on Varsity Teams
This fall season, underclassmen make up approximately 42 percent of Exeter’s varsity level teams and are making their presence on each athletic team known.
Out of all the teams, girls’ varsity soccer leads the group with the largest percentage of their roster as underclassmen: approximately 55 percent. Girls’ varsity volleyball has the least amount of underclassmen on their roster. The contributions of underclassmen help shape the teams that they are a part of, and teams return the favor by offering guidance amidst the experience of highly competitive athletics.
When asked about the process of selecting a roster for the team, and the consideration of seniority throughout those selections, head coach of boys’ varsity soccer AJ Cosgrove mentioned, “Any team requires leadership, and of course that typically comes from the older students on the team. However, the makeup of our team is based on a meritocracy. We choose players that we think will work hard and be able to compete in our league.”
The adjustment to the level of competition at Exeter, however, has proven to be one of the most significant changes that underclassmen experience during their prompt transition to a varsity high school team. “Exeter athletics, especially football, is a lot more intense than previous teams I have played for,” Owen McKiernan, a lower and varsity football player, said. “The competition in the prep school leagues is a lot better than anything I’ve ever played against.”
According to Cosgrove, the most significant development experienced by underclassmen tends to be the “transition to a faster and more physical game.” Cosgrove also noted that “this [shift] takes different amounts of time for each individual.”
Many athletes, nevertheless, appreciate this push to compete at a higher level. “It’s been hard for me to adjust to the skill that other people have,” prep Molly Longfield, a member of the varsity field hockey team, acknowledged. “But I like it because I get to improve more of my skills too, playing with [the upperclassmen].”
McKiernan felt similiarly, saying, the best part of being an underclassmen on varsity is the opportunity to learn from the older kids on the other team, on the field and off the field.”
However, he also adds that in some moments, the age difference can be challenging. “The worst part [about being an underclassman on a varsity team] is definitely the difference in size against older players,” McKiernan said.
Alexa Caldwell, head coach of girls’ varsity soccer, mentioned that “On the field there are times when I might see an underclassmen make a mistake that is clearly a ‘freshman mistake,’ meaning they aren’t used to the pace of play and are making mistakes in a game they wouldn’t normally make in practice, but that’s what game experience is all about.”
Other underclassmen athletes cite how details, such as team’s schedules, are intensified at Exeter. “We play games usually twice a week and have rival teams,” lower Adam Tuchler said. “Water Polo is a lot more competitive at Exeter than it is at home.”
Prep and varsity soccer player, Kaylee Bennett agreed, saying “It does take some time to get accustomed to the schedule, but pre-season helped with that a lot.”
Underclassmen varsity athletes, despite the demands of their commitment, are still thankful for the opportunity to participate on the team and feel that it has given them more than they would have thought. The majority of underclassmen feel that their membership on a mostly upperclassmen team has mainly helped them get to know a wider range of other Exeter students. McKiernan said that his participation on the Football team has helped him “have a family at Exeter.”
“I just really like being able to talk to older people and be friends with them because I have never really been like that before,” Longfield said. “I…try to support my team the best that I can and hope it helps,” she said.
Bennett values all that she has been able to learn from the upperclassmen on the team and the example they set for who a varsity athlete is at Exeter. “I think being a varsity student athlete helps me to be more responsible, independent…[it] definitely pushes me to work even harder as an athlete,” she said. “I think the feeling of having so many ‘older sisters’ is a great feeling. Outside of sports, this opportunity also helps me excel in other aspects such as seeing how the older athletes manage their schedules, classes, fitness, diet and rest.”
Additionally, Tuchler sees value in providing allowing underclassmen on varsity teams, creating more time for athletes to work together and build a stronger team. “The best part about being an underclassmen on varsity water polo is that I have a lot of time to practice and grow with the other underclassmen,” Tuchler said.
Caldwell also believes that the addition of underclassmen to a roster provides unique advantages. “[The underclassmen] don’t bring with them any baggage or expectations for what happened last year, and that helps a lot when preparing for certain games.” emphasized Caldwell, before adding, “They keep the emotions on the team ‘fresh.’”
Although some varsity fall teams have more underclassmen on their rosters than others, prep and lower athletes nonetheless contribute to maintaining Exeter athletic’s reputation and are eager to participate in this endeavor. “Age doesn’t matter when you step on the field,” Bennett said.