Eleanor Archer, Amarillo High tennis, Jr.
On the court: Archer was part of a historic afternoon for Amarillo ISD last Wednesday at the UIL State Tennis Tournament in San Antonio, as Amarillo High captured two gold medals and a sliver.
The AHS junior followed up her gold from last year in mixed doubles with state championship in singles action this season. Archer even gained a measure of revenge by beating Axelle Jacquemin of Wichita Falls Rider in the finals, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Archer had lost to Jacqueumin in the Region I-5A championship.
Archer’s win comes with huge historic significance as she becomes the first player in AISD history to win gold in girls singles, as well as the first female player in UIL history to capture back-to-back gold medals.
Coach Koby Otto : “Eleanor had to dig deeper at the state tournament than I’ve ever seen her. She had to fight, and find that extra gear in all three matches. In the finals, she’d lost to the girl from Rider at regionals, so she really had to find a way. From a coaching standpoint it was satisfying to see the fight that she had on a big stage. It was tremendous. She just works hard and leads by example. She’s tremendous in the classroom. Eleanor just does things the right way.”
Archer: “It was an amazing experience. To have three Amarillo High teams medal and all support each other was very exciting. Playing singles is so much different that playing doubles. When you’re playing doubles there is more pressure because you don’t want to let your teammate down. In singles, you just play for yourself. I just did my best to prepare going to state. In the end it was worth it. I’m just still taking it all in.
About Archer
Favorite band or musician: Eminem.
Favorite social media platform: Instagram
Favorite athlete: Serena Williams
Bet you didn’t know: Playing pickle ball with her family.
Parents: Richard and Natalie Archer