Ella Colwell, a volleyball, basketball and track star, enters Coupeville High School as a freshman this fall. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Colwell sinks a free throw during a summer hoops camp. (Photo courtesy Megan Wise)
Sports often build friendship.
That’s true for Ella Colwell, a three-sport star heading to Coupeville High School as a freshman this fall.
During her middle school days, she played volleyball and basketball, while rounding out the year with track and field.
Staying active and involved on a daily basis has paid off for Colwell.
“Being a part of something (is great),” she said. “It helps you find people that you maybe didn’t think you’d be friends with.”
While Colwell enjoys all of her sports, hard-court life is the life for her.
“My favorite sport is basketball, because I like how you can be aggressive in it and also I love how much of a team sport it is,” she said. “You really can’t have a successful team if you don’t work together.”
Colwell and her hoops teams, both in middle school and SWISH, have been winners, bringing home titles as they build a tight-knit bond.
A tall, strong athlete who could likely develop into a fearsome inside enforcer in the paint, she’s ready for the challenge.
“My strengths as an athlete would be someone who you can look for as help,” Colwell said.
“Like, in basketball, I’m a post/defender, so when a teammate needs help getting around their defender, I might go up and screen them, or yell “defender on your left” or “watch for screens.”
A strong math student (“it’s my favorite, because I love the satisfaction of when you’ve been trying to solve this hard question, and you finally get it right”), Colwell enjoys watching action/thriller flicks in her spare time.
“Movies that get your heart pumping,” she said. “And have you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next!”
But when it’s time to head to practice or games, Colwell is as committed as they come.
“My goals for my high school sports career would definitely be to make it on the varsity for basketball,” she said. “And to become a better overall volleyball player.”
Regardless of the sport or activity, she knows her biggest fan, mom Megan, will always be there for her.
“My mom has been a big impact because she was the one who first told me to play basketball,” Colwell said. “Actually, at first, I didn’t even want to play, but I’m glad I did, because it is my favorite sport.”
