The fall athletic season was incredibly successful, as two LFA teams were winners of the ISL (Independent School League) Conference Championships. 

The Varsity Boys Soccer team finished their season with double-digits in victories. Clinching the ISL title with a 3-1 win over North Shore Country Day School on October 7th. The win was not easy, as North Shore Country Day has had LFA’s team numbered over the past couple years and is known to be one of the team’s most heated rivalries. 

Nick Lubaev ‘23, the team captain, said, “The ISL would come down to the final game of the season against North Shore.” Head coach of the team Paul Makovec knew that “…it was going to be an emotional game. Despite having quite a young team, the boys played with poise and maturity. They continued to play our game and came away with a 3-1 W.”

The ISL title was especially meaningful to the team, but the entirety of the season was just as sweet. Led by six seniors, this was one of the most tight-knit teams that LFA soccer has seen in recent years. Lubaev has been involved with the program for four years and said that “this year was by far the closest I have ever been with my teammates.” This type of chemistry is definitely a key reason as to why they were able to have such a successful season. 

LFA’s  success does not stop there, as the varsity girls swimming team won the ISL title, while setting many school records in the process. Led by Coach McCaffrey, the team snagged victories over Wheeling, St. Viator, The Latin School of Chicago, and many other schools. 

The 200 meter relay team (Tracey Liu ‘23, Defne Kocak ‘26, Tuana Turhan ‘24, and Kate Graham ‘24) broke the old school record of 1:58.7 with a victory of 1:56.2. In addition, Turhan ‘24 tied a record set by Hannah Liu ‘20, a current Division One swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, swimming the 100 meter butterfly with a time of just 1:02. With these being only a few of the many records broken throughout the season  and the team officially finishing with a 7-2 record. The progress of the swimming team over the years can be credited to excellent coaching and hard work from the team. 

According to Tracey Liu, one of the swim captains, “The swim team was a really fun experience—we had a lot of great swims, both individually and as medleys. I’m really proud of how we all came together as a team and cheered on the sidelines, and how we also all grew in our personal swimming journeys.”