Athletics Highlights

By Denny Lennon, Director of Athletics

Fall Sports Wrap

at #4 in the overall team standings and #1 in the Freshman

This past fall, Archer teams ascended to new heights along the scholastic sports scene of Southern California. On Saturday, November 5, the Archer Middle School Swim Team broke the Pacific Basin League scoring record en route to the PBL championship. Coach Stephanie Ferri guided the girls to the championship, and the Archer swimmers were more than happy to “guide” her into the Brentwood pool in celebration.

The Varsity Tennis team, under the direction of Coach Julio Rivera, finished the year in 4th place in the Alpha League. Chloe Mills ’13 and Aimee Von Arx ’12 were named to the Alpha All-League team. Next year, the Tennis Team will compete in the Delphic League, and they will be a favorite to win the league.

On November 12, Archer’s Cross Country Team qualified for the CIF Cross Country preliminaries for the first time, taking 3rd place in the powerful Alpha League. With teams from every part of Southern California and a stadium full of fans at Mt. San Antonio College, this event was a proud moment for Coach Kim Smith, the Cross Country Team and Archer.

Archer’s Volleyball Program has experienced success before, but never like this past season. All four Volleyball Teams (Middle School and Upper School) compiled a staggering overall record of 50-7. The Upper School JV Team won the Delphic League Championship and made it to the finals at the Burbank Invitational, defeating a number of large enrollment schools in the process. Varsity Volleyball, after taking 2nd place in league, advanced to the CIF 5AA playoffs. After victories in the first two rounds of the playoffs, it was onto the CIF quarterfinals against Victor Valley Christian, sea of green at Crossroads School for the historic victory that sent Archer into the semifinals against Desert Christian Academy, the defending CIF champions. Again, clad in hunter green, a huge Archer crowd was on hand at Crossroads School to support the girls. The Archer Varsity Volleyball team stood strong, but Desert Christian took the match in three sets. On the season, the Varsity Volleyball Team, coached by Jonathan Lotz, Anthony Mezzavilla and Caitlin Lawson, finished 16-5 with a 3rd place finish in the CIF 5AA division. Archer’s highly rated Equestrian team, which traditionally finishes in the top three of the 75 school Interscholastic Equestrian League, is halfway through another ribbon winning season. After two shows, Archer, led by team captains Caroline Lurie ’12 and Kendall York ’12, stands

where Archer fans, encouraged to “Green-out Grisanti Gym,” created a Division. Ella Angel ’16 is in the #4 position in the Freshman Division individual rankings. The final show of the year takes place on April 15 at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center.

Given the successes of the Middle School teams, the offseason commitment of athletes and the fact that much of the rosters from each fall team returns next year, Archer will continue to climb.

Winter Sports Wrap

The 2011 Archer Basketball and Soccer teams enjoyed highly successful seasons, and both teams played ambitious schedules against high level schools this winter, a sign that each program is moving forward. Both teams played their home games at Archer’s “home away from home,” Santa Monica College, much to the delight of the faithful Archer fans that cheered them on. The Archer Varsity Soccer team

started five 9th graders en route to a 9-12 overall record. Highlight victories included wins over rival Crossroads and a huge win at the San Pedro Pirate Cup Tournament over host school and city section powerhouse San Pedro High School. Archer’s Middle School Soccer team advanced to PBL championship game with a 9-3 record. Given the return of key players combined with the upcoming Middle School players, the Soccer program will contend for years to come.

Varsity Basketball put together another record breaking season. Based on the success of the 2011 season (18-8 record, CIF 5AA Quarter finalist), the team was invited to and participated in the Inglewood City of Champions Tournament, the West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area and represented small private schools in the MLK Public vs. Private Showcase in Beverly Hills. Archer was also bumped up by the CIF to the 4A division for playoffs. None of this stopped the squad from compiling a 18-9 overall record, including a 9-1 record in league play. The Delphic League Championship is Archer’s first ever basketball league

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title. The team played their best at the end of the season, as they defeated Big Bear High School in the first round of the CIF playoffs before falling to #2 seeded St. Paul High School in the second round. Archer played St. Paul tough right up until the end of the game on their home court in Santa Fe Springs. The strong showing puts schools, irrespective of division or enrollment, on notice that Archer is ready for any and all challenges.

All-League

Archer Varsity athletes were recognized with “All-League” certificates, chosen by coaches from the Alpha and Delphic Leagues. The leagues are part of the 20-school Gold Coast Athletic Conference.

Cross Country: 1st Team - Becca Samuelson ’13 Tennis: 2nd Team (Doubles) - Chloe Mills ’13 and Aimee Von Arx ’12 Volleyball: 1st Team - Leslie Baker ’12, Lindsay Levesque ’13, and Coco Maurice ’12; 2nd Team - Kirsten Avila ’14, Ciena Lennon ’13 Soccer: 1st Team - Lindsay Levesque ’13, Krysia Sikora ’13 2nd Team - Jessica Cranston ’13, Yasmeen Namazie ’15, Geffen Treiman ’13 Basketball: 1st Team - Coco Maurice ’12, Mariah Davis ’13 2nd Team - Leslie Baker ’12, Ciena Lennon ’13 Delphic League Basketball Most Valuable Player: Maia Barnett ’14 Delphic League Basketball Coach of the Year: Denny Lennon

All-CIF

The prestigious All-CIF award is given to athletes who perform at a high level through the regular season as well as the playoffs. Players are selected by an appointed committee for the divisions, comprised of anywhere between 50 and 100 schools.

Volleyball: Lindsay Levesque ’13 and Coco Maurice ’12. Coco is the first athlete in school history to be selected “All-CIF” in two sports. Coco was named to the 2011 basketball “All-CIF” team. Basketball: Maia Barnett ’14 and Coco Maurice ’12 have been nominated for All-CIF consideration. The All CIF team will be announced in late March.

Spring is Here!

Spring sports have started and Archer has literally sprinted out of the gate. Behind 2011 Delphic League Track MVP Krysia Sikora ’12, the Archer varsity track team dominated at the seven school Brentwood School hosted season opener, winning the 4x100m and 4x400m relays along with first place finishes in the 100m, 400m, 300m hurdles and long jump. The girls also placed in several other races in what is believed to be the most dominating performance ever for an Archer track team.

Varsity softball put together a 12-8 season, a second place finish in league and CIF playoff appearance in 2011. With the entire team returning plus new additions from the middle school, look for the girls to challenge for both the league and CIF title. Varsity swim returns Victoria Chen ’12, who has last season qualified for the CIF finals in two events. Chen will lead a team that also will battle for the league championship.

reasons to support the archer fund

What is the Archer Fund? The cornerstone of Archer’s annual fundraising program, the Archer Fund provides critical funding for the School and expands the opportunities and experiences that form the core of Archer’s curriculum beyond what tuition alone can cover. The beneficiaries of our efforts are our girls and the dynamic programs which offer ways they learn best, both in and out of the classroom.

Top 3 Reasons to Support the Archer Fund: • Like other independent schools, Archer depends on annual giving to offset the difference between tuition and the true cost of an Archer education. • The mainstay of Archer’s fundraising program, annual giving contributions are raised and spent during the current fiscal year, providing an immediate and direct benefit to each student. • Foundations and corporations often look at parent participation percentages as a gauge of community involvement. Broad-based Archer Fund participation reflects an engaged and invested community; therefore, foundations and corporations are more inclined to invest themselves.

FOUNDATION NEWS

The Archer School for Girls is honored to receive support from a variety of foundations and corporations. Foundation grants are vital to the lifeblood of independent schools, assisting with areas such as financial aid, professional development, capital funds and academic programs. Archer has secured partnerships with several foundations and continues to reach out to those whose mission aligns with ours. Many of the grants received have been the result of Archer Trustees, parents, alumnae parents and grandparents working with the Advancement Office to reach out to their personal and professional contacts. This support is essential to the growth and success of the School. We are proud to share with you some of the grants we have received this year starting with The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation. The Norris Foundation supports programs that advance better health and intellectual enlightenment, through education, cultivation of the arts, individual responsibility, freedom and dignity. We are pleased to announce that The Norris Foundation has awarded The Archer School for Girls a grant in support of our Flexible Tuition Program, providing an opportunity to maintain the School’s diverse and culturally-rich student body which is We are proud to say that Archer enjoys a strong history of participation, achieving over 90% parent participation and 100% faculty and staff, and Trustee participation. In addition, our alumnae, parents of alumnae, grandparents and friends of the School generously respond to our annual request. As a young school working to increase our donor base, we are truly proud of and grateful for the generosity of our Archer Community. These participation rates send a strong statement of community commitment when Archer seeks outside funding.

Relationships are the key to all successful fundraising efforts and if you are able to open a door to a foundation or connect us with an individual who would be interested in learning more about The Archer School for Girls, please contact Mia Rille, Director of

Advancement, at mrille@archer.org or 310-873-7079. tantamount to Archer’s mission. We are extremely grateful to partner with such an esteemed foundation.

In addition, our sincere gratitude goes out to the Specialty Family Foundation which has supported the Archer Flexible Tuition Program for the past two years. This Foundation is committed to alleviating the conditions that lead to persistent poverty including a focus on education for low-income families. Foundation Board Member Karen Cane, an Archer Alumnae Parent (Madeleine ’11), has been instrumental in the formation of this partnership. Many thanks to Karen and the Specialty Family Foundation for their generosity and belief in our mission. We are truly grateful for these partnerships and the difference they make at Archer. If you have a connection to a private or corporate foundation, please contact Marcia Berman, Director of Annual Fund at mberman@archer.org at 310-873-7092.

We look forward to our continued partnerships with these foundations and to sharing news of additional foundation support as the school year progresses.