Middle school swim wins league championship, ends drought
Photo credit: Marlee Rice
The middle school swim team celebrates after placing first Pacific basin League championship. The Panthers defeated rival Crossroads School.
After placing second for three consecutive years, Archer middle school swim broke their streak. On Nov. 4, the Panthers defeated 19 Los Angeles area schools to come in first place in the Pacific Basin League Championship.
To secure their spot, Archer overcame rival Crossroads — who had won the first place title for the last three years. The last time Archer has beaten Crossroads in the championship meet was 2013.
“We’ve come so close these past years, but Crossroads has beaten us.” Head Coach Stephanie Ferri said. “This title is ours, and it was awesome to get it back.”
Co-captain, Grace Doyle ‘23, discussed the sense of community felt after Archer won the championship.
“When we heard that we won, it just wasn’t the eighth grade hugging each other,” Doyle said. “It was everyone as a team.”
Ferri reiterated the team’s sense of community.
“Everyone has a place, and it’s very inclusive,” Ferri said. “There is an event for everything. [Students] can join a team and become a champion. A lot of the girls refer to the team as a big family.”
Ferri also stressed that the team does not just focus on winning but the skills that help athletes improve.
“Teamwork is very important,” Ferri said. “Everyone is sitting together and cheering everyone [else] on.”
This is the fourth time in the last seven years that Archer has come away with the middle school championship.
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