Athletics is integral to the Sidwell Friends student experience. Not only for the physical health benefits, but for the leadership skills, camaraderie, and spirit that emerges at every level, whether it's a Lower School game of tag or a competitive varsity match. This summer, some students, staff, and alumni achieved recognition on regional, national, and international stages.

"Athletics is an essential component in the student experience at Sidwell Friends," said Keith Levinthal, David P. Pearson ’52 Director of Athletics. "It is my personal mission to help students develop into individuals who are inspired to do great things on and off the field by making their experience meaningful, rewarding, and fun."

This summer was one of great achievement for both alumni and current athletes. Taylor Knibb ’16, the youngest woman to ever qualify for the USA Olympic triathlon team, earned a silver medal in the mixed relay, becoming Sidwell Friends's second Olympic medalist after Jair Lynch ’89, who won silver in men's parallel bars in the Atlanta 1996 games. Saddiq Bey '18 was named to the 2021 USA Men's Select Team and even earned a temporary promotion to the Olympic Team while players were unavailable. Miles Brown '15 recently signed with the Detroit Lions of the NFL. Walter Rouse '19 has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list—awarded annually to the best college football interior lineman.  Tennis coach, Logan West ’01, was named the USTA Mid-Atlantic Coach of the year. 

Current students also continue to demonstrate excellence. Kiki Rice ’22 was part of the gold medal-winning Team USA in the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Hungary this summer, and Jadyn Donovan '23 and Kendall Dudley ‘24 competed on the USA basketball U16 team, which took the gold medal in the championship tournament in Mexico. Alice Xu '23 recently won both the singles & doubles titles at the G18 national clay court tournament. 

The dedication and hard work these athletes have shown are evidence of the strength of character Sidwell Friends strives to encourage in every student. They serve as inspirations and models for every Sidwell Friends student who takes the field this fall and beyond.