Spring Archer Sports Update

There is no denying that Archer is building a powerhouse in track and field. Last year the team advanced to CIF-SS Finals, finishing 11th place overall. Instead of “Who is Archer?” we now hear “That is Archer!” The team competed in prestigious events including the Redondo Nike Track Festival on Friday, March 9, and the Laguna Beach Trophy Invite on Saturday, March 17. The girls will soon travel north for the Stanford Track and Field Invitational on Friday, March 30. Archer may as well have branded its name on the trophy. Sophomore sensation Nia M. ’20 placed first in the 200-meter with a time of 25.54 and 400-meter with a time of 57.93, missing the all-time meet record in the 400-meter by .02. Nia also placed 4th in the 100-meter (12.42), while Hailey A. ’20 finished 14th (12.84). Miayunique S. ’19, runner-up in last year's CIF-SS Finals in the pole vault, finished in the top 15 in both the high jump and pole vault. With 15 ninth graders on the team, the program is just getting started. While the distance runners train at Archer and Westwood Recreation Center, the sprinters and field athletes train at West Los Angeles College. The team won first place at the first Liberty League meet on Tuesday, March 13. League finals are Tuesday, May 1, and CIF prelims begin Saturday, May 12.

Considering that the largest body of water on the Archer campus is a fountain, the success of the swimming program over the past years is remarkable. The team is once again undefeated and heading towards its fourth straight league championship. Having advanced last season to the CIF-SS finals and capturing ninth place, the girls look to better that finish this year. This year’s group is exceptional, especially when swimming in other schools’ pools. The girls beat Marymount in their home pool on Thursday, March 1, and then easily won a tri-meet on Tuesday, March 13, in the Brentwood School pool. Top swimmers include seniors Summer D. ’18 and Saskia W. ’18 in addition to ninth grader Gracey W. '21. League finals are Friday, May 4, and CIF prelims begin Monday, May 7.

While many in Southern California are happy to see the rain, that is not the case with the Archer softball team. Four of the team’s games to date have been dismissed due to the weather. Even when the team does play, the rain seems to make an appearance. In tournament play at Hawthorne High School on Saturday, March 10, the girls won two games against Whitney High School (Cerritos) and Serra High School (Gardena). Archer, playing a rugged non-league schedule this season, evened their overall record at 2-2. The girls are looking to win a fourth straight league championship and make a run for the CIF-SS Division 7 championship. The battery of All-CIF senior pitcher Kam B. ’18, the school’s all-time strikeout leader, and All-CIF junior catcher Morgan D. ’19, the school’s all-time home-run leader, headline the team along with ninth grade shortstop Kayla G. ’21. The squad will play Avalon High School on Catalina Island on Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, and then return to open league play on Thursday, April 19. The CIF playoffs begin on Thursday, May 17.

Practicing and playing their matches at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, Archer’s beach volleyball team enjoys the most beautiful venue, even when it rains. The team continues to climb the standings in the 95-school Interscholastic Beach Volleyball League (IBVL), which includes schools from San Francisco to San Diego. With an all-time high of 18 girls playing in both the varsity and JV divisions, the girls currently are 3-1 in the varsity division. Top players include junior Stella S. ’19 and sophomore Amelia N. ’20. The IBVL playoffs begin on Thursday, May 3.

The equestrian team is performing at a high level after completing three of four shows in the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) at the Hansen Dam Horse Park, holding third place out of 81 schools competing in the IEL. Individually, sophomore Maisie S. ’20 is in third place overall for varsity jumpers, while ninth grader Hannah J. ’21 is, according to the IEL Show Secretary, “killing the competition as she is currently the Reserve Champion in Novice EQ for the season.” Hannah has a legitimate shot at taking one of the overall top prizes this season. In addition, varsity captains Maddy B. ’19 and Ella F. ’19 have both qualified for varsity medals. The fourth and final show of the year takes place on Thursday, April 15, at the Hansen Dam Horse Park.

Senior Dani R. ’19 will be named to the CIF-SS Division 5AAA “All-CIF” team for basketball when the awards are announced by the CIF-Southern Section office in Los Alamitos on Monday, March 26. Dani is the 29th Archer athlete to earn the distinction and the first for basketball since Maia B. ’14 in 2014.

Mark your calendars for the ever-popular Archer Sports Awards Night, to be held again at The Olympic Collection on Monday, May 21.

On Thursday, February 8, Archer celebrated the unveiling of the CIF-SS Championship banner for volleyball in addition to the NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing for two student-athletes.