While Ella Madsen's high school track and field career has come to an end, she is about to embark on an exciting new journey across Canada where she will be studying and competing at McMaster University.
I caught up with Madsen about her start in running, her journey to becoming a Marauder and what she is looking forward to during her first year at university.
Personal Bests
1500m Steeplechase: 4:59.84
2000m Steeplechase: 7:01.30
3000m Steeplechase: 10:49.83
3000m: 10:16.00
Career Accolades
2023 BC Jamboree U20 Girls Steeplechase Champion
2023 BC HS Senior Steeplechase Champion
2023 Canadian Track and Field Nationals U20 Steeplechase Bronze
2022 Canadian XC Nationals U18 Ninth
2022 BC XC U18 Fourth
2022 Canadian Track and Field Nationals U18 Steeplechase Fourth
2019 BC HS XC Junior Champion
Madsen found her love for running as early as elementary school just by going through the trails with her friends.
"Every spring during elementary school we had a KM Club where we ran a loop for 30 minutes. I soon became obsessed with beating school records and the boys! Shortly after, my mom signed me up for the Coquitlam Cheetahs Track and Field Club where I have been running ever since."
It was after discovering this love for the sport that Madsen started to compete at the Junior Development level. "One of my favorite memories in the sport so far was when I was a JD and would spend the entire day competing in all of the events at track meets. Whether it was distance, hurdles, javelin, long jump, sprints or even discus and shot put, I did everything and had a great time."
As Madsen continued within the sport through high school she went back to her first passion, distance running and also focused on the steeplechase; however like all athletes, Madsen's athletic career too was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"COVID was a really difficult time, especially as I had to overcome my first real injury, but during this time I also learned the true meaning of adversity and resilience."
That being said there are always bound to be highs and lows within one's journey in a sport, but two good things among many for Madsen were the connections she was able to make within the track and field community, as well as discovering her desire to compete collegiately.
"Since I was little, I have been a super competitive multi-sport athlete and always aspired to compete at the college level. In Grade 10 I made the sole decision to only focus on track and started looking into universities. Not to mention throughout high school I made incredible friendships with my training partners and fellow BC competitors who have greatly inspired me, namely: Ella Kalnins, Sidney Clement, Christina Peet Williams, Ella Ballard and Mackenzie Hack."