Sam Gardner '09- 2008

Sam came to Exeter as a 9th grader and made the varsity as a prep attackman. The coaches put a longpole in his hand before his first season was over and he has been a starting defenseman ever since. He was a member of an excellent defensive unit as a 10th grader, and then became one of the best in all of New England in his 11th grade year. Not only did Sam dominate attackman defensively, but he was a huge force on clears and always an offensive threat during his frequent journeys across the midfield line. Sam was named Defensive Player of the Year and a Jardine Award winner as an upper, and voted a captain for the 2009 team. Despite being hampered with a hamstring injury for much of his senior season, Sam came back at the end of of the season to play an incredible game against Deerfield, to win a game ball in the Holderness 10-2 win, to help lead the team to a 9-4 victory over Andover, to be selected to play in the New England East West Senior All Star game, and to be named to the most prestigious National Senior Showcase North team. Sam, who also captained the football team in his senior year, will matriculate to Tufts University where he has been recruited to play both football and lacrosse.