Spirit Week Energizes Teams to Crush Andover

By ANGELA HE, ALLEGRA LAI, MARVIN SHIM, and FORREST ZENG

As the annual Fall Exeter-Andover competition approached, each and every sport team pushed through their practices and amping up their team spirit in preparation for game day. The E/a games also signified the end of the term, and for many of the teams, this was the final game to showcase the culmination of their efforts throughout the season. The competition also signified many players’ last ever game within that sport, as Andover was the last game for those teams that didn’t progress into playoffs. 

Various athletic teams were interviewed about the longest-standing high school rivalry in the United States, and they shared how E/a Spirit Week helps energize the team for the game. 

Prep Kruthika Annapareddy, a member of the girls’ volleyball team, said, “It makes us hype for practice, and you know, we’re all yelling. It makes practice more fun ‘cause we get all really hyped.” 

Upper Clare McCann added, “We’re super excited, especially for the game, and it hypes us up as it goes on.” 

Prep Gavyn Jones highlighted the excitement of the new players, saying, “Especially, the new preps are really excited for their very first E/a and are super excited to get out there and have some fun.”

When it comes to preparation, varsity field hockey goalie Josie Hilbert revealed, “We’ve been practicing very hard… making sure to keep the team traditions and the team’s spirit high. We have some traditions, but I’m not allowed to say.” Although she kept the specifics of these traditions under wraps, we can still see her commitment to team unity.

Max Sahinoglu, a player on the boys’ varsity soccer team, shared how Spirit Week impacted his mindset for the game, saying, “Seeing everybody wear red, it just motivates us.” The chants and energy from the crowd make the team even more eager to play. When asked about preparation, he emphasized the team’s dedication, “We’ve been practicing 110%,” adding that they are on a win streak and determined to keep it going. 

Co-captain of the boys’ varsity soccer team and senior Jaylen Bennett agreed with Sahinoglu. “People are often curious about the games happening. Spiritually, that gets everyone into the spirit,” he said.

When asked about how the team has been preparing for the upcoming game, the responses from girls’ volleyball focused on improving fundamentals. Annapareddy shared, “We’ve just been practicing our serves, making sure our serving is consistent, and focusing on our connections.” 

McCann added, “We’re especially making sure that we just play our game.” 

Sanghinolu also highlighted a tradition of his team: “Whenever we’re warming up, all the captains yelling during the last drills really hypes us up.” 

Hilbert also explained how the girls’ soccer team was preparing. “We try to keep a positive headspace,” she said.

Part of the boys’ varsity soccer team’s spirit for E/a day included arriving in suits. “Coach Hutchins usually does a dad joke. Then, we also wore suits to Andover,” described Bennett. 

As a member of the varsity boys’ football team, Senior Charles Clavel reflected on the importance of the Andover game, saying, “Our whole season has led up to the game, and this is gonna be the most memorable game of the season.” 

Upper Marek Jin, another member of the football team explained that while Andover may not have the best record, the energy surrounding the game makes it significant, “It’s a really big game and we really feel the people support us. If we’re not excited for that, I don’t know what we would be excited for. It really made me play a little harder, practice a little harder, and really put into context the scope of what we’re doing… …The stakes are higher. Andover is going to be at their best. They haven’t had a great record so far, but this game is their championship. This is the Super Bowl. This is the game where they will put everything on the line. That is something we cannot deny.” This powerful sentiment perfectly characterizes the energy that surrounds E/a weekend. 

“We’re bussing out 500 kids and their whole school’s gonna be there,” said Clavel, highlighting the excitement and community involvement. The team has been “refining what we’ve been doing all season” to ensure their readiness and bring the energy needed to win.

“I don’t balance the nerves. We just kind of force ourselves to embrace it. This is when our nerves are going to be off the wall, but once we step on that field, once that start whistle goes, once we hit, it’s all out the window. That is the time to play,” Jin continued, “Sports are beautiful because we live in the moment. That’s what we have to do here. That’s what I’m excited for.”