When Ella first decided to join her high school’s cross-country team, it wasn’t because she had a hidden passion for running. It was her older sister Anna, a senior, who had convinced her. With this being their last year in school together, Ella saw cross-country as a chance to share some memorable moments with Anna. That alone was enough for her to sign up. But her mother had another idea.
“Why not see it as an opportunity for growth, Ella?” her mother suggested, with that encouraging smile of hers. “What if you end up liking it? What if you turn out to be good at it?”
Ella wasn’t thrilled by the idea. In fact, she had been a bit annoyed. She had her own activities—dance and karate—plus dreams of joining cheerleading. Running for miles through wooded trails didn’t exactly align with her plans. But her mom’s words lingered in her mind, especially that phrase, “What if?”
So, Ella laced up her sneakers and showed up for practice. Her first race was daunting—a 5K on the challenging course at River Hill High School. With every step, her legs felt heavier, her breath shorter. She finished in 27:01, dead last for her varsity team. But despite the exhaustion, Ella felt something else: pride. She’d completed something tough, something she’d never imagined herself doing.
Her second race, the Barnhart Invitational, tested her resolve even further. The course included a massive hill that she hadn’t been prepared for, and it was demoralizing. Ella’s time came in at 27:49, slower than her first race, and she felt discouraged. But as she talked to her teammates, she realized everyone had struggled, adding nearly two minutes to their regular race times. Ella, however, had managed to stay within a minute of her first time. That small win lifted her spirits—she was stronger than she’d thought.
Over the next few weeks, Ella began to push herself harder. She felt her stamina increasing, her legs growing stronger, and her confidence building. At her third race, the MDXC Invitational, she clocked in at 24:49, an astonishing improvement. Although her fourth race saw a slight dip to 24:56 due to the blazing heat, Ella’s determination only grew. She was no longer running just for Anna; she was doing this for herself.
The final regional race of the season brought her back to River Hill, the place where it all began. A month had passed since her first run, and Ella was a different athlete now. She felt the familiar nerves before the race but channeled them into focus. This time, she finished with a remarkable 22:36. Ella didn’t just run faster—she placed among the top 15 runners, earning her team a spot at the state’s cross-country race!
As she crossed the finish line, Ella felt an overwhelming mix of joy and disbelief. The journey she had reluctantly begun for her sister had led her somewhere incredible. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but smile. If she hadn’t listened, if she’d let her reluctance hold her back, she would have missed out on this incredible achievement.
From reluctant runner to state qualifier, Ella’s story was one of discovery—of finding resilience, passion, and purpose in unexpected places. This season would mark only the beginning of Ella’s Swift Running journey; shaped by family, growth, and the courage to take a chance!
Written by: Rafael L. (Ella's Dad)
