Driven by her Christian devotion and supportive parents, freshman Ellie Willard puts her all into everything she does.
Willard’s parents, Wayne and Lisa Willard, are not only her No. 1 fans, but also the people that give her the motivation to be herself unapologetically.
Willard works hard to use the words her parents have given her to excel physically and mentally.
Willard is most fond of her parents' phrase, “Work hard because nothing is given.” Those words are what she uses to keep her on the path toward her future, one she believes God has put her on.
Relying on her faith to guide her every day, Willard tries to lead by example.
“I try to treat others the way Jesus would treat them. Before I do anything, I ask myself, ‘What would God do?’ ” Ellie said.
Watching her two older brothers play sports when she was young, kickstarted Willard’s passion for athletics, leading her to start playing T-ball at age 4, and join Hotshots Basketball in kindergarten.
Though Willard has a passion for competing, it was the teamwork skills and relationships she built playing sports that got her hooked.
“I have met a lot of people through athletics that I otherwise would not have connected with. I also love the life lessons that sports have taught me,” Ellie said. Willard picked up running in elementary school but did not get serious about honing her skills until around 5th and 6th grade.
“When the track team competed in the Burns Flat Track meet, that's when I started to realize that I could be a serious competitor and maybe see some success,” Ellie said.
Once she got into high school, a mentor came into Willard’s life that pushed her to stay focused on track and basketball success.
Head basketball and track coach, Jana Rogers, began helping Willard with both sports as soon as she joined basketball.
“Track is the toughest sport out there. I have always told my athletes if you can do track it makes everything else in life much easier. I often credit my track days to my success in basketball,” Rogers said. “I felt it helped me become much tougher mentally, especially in comparison to how I would have performed without it. I feel it will do great things for Ellie.”
Willard is appreciative of Rogers’ help.
“With coach Rogers being my basketball coach, I knew track was expected. I respect her as a coach and knew she would help me succeed,” Ellie said.
For Willard track is difficult, but the reward greatly outweighs the cost.
“Before my races I always get nervous, but once I start all of the nerves go away. I love the feeling of accomplishment and relief after the race is done,” Ellie said.
Willard believes that track isn't for the faint of heart.
“Track takes guts and a lot of motivation, it's not an easy sport,” Ellie said.
THE WILLARD FILE
YEAR: Freshman
PARENTS: Wayne and Lisa Willard Sports: Softball, basketball, track
HOBBIES: Working out, cooking and baking with nana, watching netflix
FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Going on Sonic runs with her brother Dawson, playing with her aussie Charlie, Attending Bible M.B Church