Both the boys' and girls' swimming and diving programs are combined with St. Paul's Highland Park Senior High School and have had numerous Minnesota State Meet appearances with many individual athletes securing top-ten finishes.
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Sarah Russell ’95 was a standout multi-sport athlete and leader at SPA, serving as captain in both swimming and diving and in basketball her senior year. In the pool, she led her team to a perfect 6–0 conference record and a St. Paul City Conference Championship. On the basketball court, she earned All-Conference honors, was voted Most Valuable Player, and won SPA’s Girls’ Athletic Trophy for her exceptional athletic ability.
Sarah went on to Harvard University, where she played Division I basketball and was later named co-winner of the prestigious Mary P. Paget Prize, awarded to the senior who contributed most to women’s athletics. Known for her tenacity, Sarah was remembered for moments like sparking Harvard’s upset over top-ranked Stanford with her defense, hustle, and clutch scoring. In addition to basketball, she also competed in rowing during her college career.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Sarah was admired for her courage, resilience, and advocacy for her peers, often serving as a strong voice for fairness and equity during challenging times. She carried those qualities into her career, going on to medical school and continuing to embody the toughness, leadership, and integrity that defined her time at SPA.
