Running is a sport that requires many parts of the body to work together. It demands that your respiratory system properly supply your body with oxygen and that your muscular system operates to move your lungs and pump your arms.
Getting all of these systems to properly work together requires years of training. However, for one freshman at B-A, it took has taken only a meter of weeks.
For this reason, Ella Cherry is this week’s BluePrint Athlete of the Week.
Cherry is a ninth grade sprinter and jumper for the varsity girls track and field team. She competes in the 100 meter dash, the 4 x 400 relay, the 200 meter dash, and the triple and long jump.
So far this season she has achieved a personal best in the 100, 200 and both jumping events. Those times and distances are, 13.00 in the 100, 27.80 in the 200, 16 feet and four inches in the long jump and 35 feet and 1/2 inch in the triple jump.
Cherry has been a top point-scorer for the Lady Devils, who have started their season 5-2.
Early into her track career Ella’s favorite memory has been going to the Igloo Invitational at Mansion Park in Altoona. At the meet, Ella placed 13th in the 100 meter dash, 10th in the long jump, and 6th in the triple jump.
She credits track coaches Jen Soisson, Nick Lovrich and her friends for her success this early into her track career.
Coach Soisson, the head coach for the B-A girls track and field team, said Cherry has been an asset to the team this season.
“She participated in junior high track last year and was able to find events in which she excels,” Coach Soisson said. “She is a team player and is always willing to go where the team needs her. Ella has versatility, is eager to learn her events, and enjoys competing.”
Everyone gets nervous before a race, even Cherry. Her advice for getting over nervousness is to stay focused and calm while maintaining a positive mindset.
Ella’s favorite part of running track is being able to see herself progress throughout the season.
When asked what her goals were for the rest of the season, Ella said, “To reach or pass all of my PRs and to always try my best.”
After high school, Ella wishes to go to college to continue her track career and to become a nurse practitioner.
