Academy of Notre Dame’s Ellie Archer is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (Feb. 13-19)
The sophomore finished in the top 20 at Easterns in both the 500 free and 200 free last winter, and received second team All-Main Line swimming honors as a freshman. This season, she has been performing very well in a variety of freestyle events, from the 50 free to the 500 free, for the Irish. Last summer, she placed fourth in the 800 free at Futures. Outside of the pool at the Academy of Notre Dame, Archer is a student ambassador, a STEM scholar, and a Mathletes participant.
Q: Which freestyle event do you think is your best currently, and what have been the biggest key to your performance in that event?
A: Currently, my best high school event is the 500 freestyle. This is an event that I started swimming when I was young and have gotten very comfortable with over the years. The biggest key to my performance in the 500 free is trusting my training and relaxing during the race, which is when I swim my best.
Q: In 2020, you had back surgery, forcing you to take a year off from swimming. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your rehab, and how did you meet that challenge?
A: The greatest challenge in my rehab was having to watch other swimmers train and compete while I wasn’t able to and then having to take it very slow and swim on my own until I was physically able to train with my teammates. I worked through this by constantly reminding myself to focus on what was in my control and not what others were doing. Physically and mentally I still have to work very hard to stay positive and recognize what I’ve been through, because there was a time I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to swim competitively again.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive swimming. Who have been your most valuable swimming mentors, and what were the most important things you learned from each of them?
A: I started swimming when I was young to become water-safe. However, I loved it and continued with lessons until I was ready for summer club swimming and USA Club swimming. My most valuable swimming mentors have been my coaches at PWAC, Caroline Boland, Dick Shoulberg, and, more recently, Chris Lear. Coach Caroline has taught me to enjoy the journey, appreciate where I am and where I’m coming from, and that no matter what happens, I will always be okay. I learned from Shoulberg that hard work and dedication go a long way, but also to always have fun. In working with Chris this year, I’m learning to trust myself and my training. These lessons have impacted me far beyond swimming and have helped me become a better student, athlete and person.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue is the natatorium at LaSalle University, where my summer club championships are held every year. This meet is filled with team spirit and excitement, so this venue holds many fun memories for me and is ultimately where I started my swimming journey.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation on the day of a meet.
A: On the day of a meet, the best thing I can do to prepare myself for my races is to stay relaxed and not overthink things. I tend to swim my fastest when I am relaxed, having fun, and enjoying the moment.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Academy of Notre Dame? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite course is math. I would like to become an engineer or doctor in the future.
Fun facts – Ellie Archer
Favorite book: Girl in Pieces, by Kathleen Glasgow.
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy,
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: “Any song by Eminem.”
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: “Anywhere, I love to travel.”
Favorite pre-meet meal: Pasta with meat sauce.
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom, I have always looked up to her, and she has always been my biggest supporter.”
Family members: parents Ben and Laura, sisters Audrey and Anne.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
