SISTER-SISTER: Lee's Archibald A Beast Behind The Plate

TARA ARCHIBALD HAS ALWAYS BEEN AROUND A SOFTBALL FIELD.

She tagged along to practices and games, watching her sister Rebecca play, before she was old enough to pick up the sport.

“I’ve definitely followed in her footsteps,” she said. “She is three years older but I would practice with her and sometimes play on her teams. It’s always been a competition between us. I would always want to out-do her.”

Rebecca also starred at Lee High and now plays at the University of St. Thomas. Tara will play at Southwestern University after graduating in May.

“I’m so thankful that I’m able to play in college,” Tara said. “It’s what I love. It sounds weird, but softball is my escape. It just quiets my mind.”

The Lee catcher is the quarterback of the Ganders….the voice, the enforcer, the leader.

“I’m not really friendly between the lines,” she laughed. “I love plays at the plate and throwing people out. I like to be physical out there and I have a pretty good trash-talking game.”

When she’s not dominating on the diamond, Archibald can be found volunteering for the youth at her church or studying. The National Honor Society officer is in the Top 10 academically of her senior class.

“I’m a math and science person,” she said. “I could see myself as an environmental scientist or something. I always want to be around the game, though. Maybe I’ll coach a Select team when I get older. I do like kids.”

While she seems to have the game of life on a string, she goes back to ol’ faithful when she needs a pick-me up.

“She tries to keep it on the down low, but my sister is my ultimate hype girl,” she said. “When I get down, she’s always there to remind me to keep my head up. She is my inspiration.”

Some things never change.