5 Super Athletes With Ties To Exeter

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Exeter area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Victoria Arlen (Swimming)

A shining star in Paralympic swimming, Victoria Arlen is an Exeter High School graduate who made waves at the 2012 London Paralympics. She brought home a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and three silver medals, setting world records in both the 100- and 400-meter freestyle events. Beyond swimming, Arlen became an ESPN reporter, chronicling major sporting events like the Special Olympics.

2. Heather Jackson (Triathalon)

Once an ice hockey player with Olympic dreams, Exeter native Heather Jackson found her true calling in triathlon, becoming a force to be reckoned with in endurance sports. With six Ironman titles, 16 Ironman 70.3 championships, and a podium finish at the 2016 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, her accomplishments are legendary. After transitioning to gravel-bike racing and ultra trail running, Jackson continues to embrace new challenges, fueled by her belief in stepping outside her comfort zone to discover untapped potential.

3. Hunter Long (Football)

Hunter Long, a professional tight end for the Los Angeles Rams, began his football career at Exeter High School before honing his skills at Boston College. Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft, Long continues to represent his hometown proudly. In 2024, he made headlines by scoring his first NFL touchdown on a blocked punt return, a moment that highlighted his versatility and determination as a player.

4. Chris Carpenter (Baseball)

Exeter-born Chris Carpenter achieved greatness in Major League Baseball, earning two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals and a Cy Young Award. Known for his resilience, Carpenter overcame career-threatening injuries to pitch for 15 seasons, becoming one of the game’s elite pitchers. He was later inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame for his impressive track record and determination.

5. Kevin Romine (Baseball)

Exeter native Kevin Romine carved out a six-season MLB career with the Boston Red Sox as a reliable utility outfielder. In addition to hitting a walk-off home run and delivering in clutch moments, Romine’s greatest legacy lies in mentoring his sons Andrew and Austin, both of whom went on to play in the major leagues. After retiring from baseball, Romine became a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.