Athlete of the Week: Ella Klyce

Ella Klyce is a cross country runner at West Orange High School. She started her sophomore season with a bang, after making state and winning a district championship as a freshman. She took second at the Winter Spring Invitational and also has earned two additional top-15 finishes. In addition to cross country, Klyce is on the West Orange swim team. 

What is a race that you have competed in outside of school competition that you enjoyed? 

I used to swim club at SouthWest Aquatics, and there was a Gift of Swimming 5K that we did every year. It raised money to help teach underprivileged kids how to swim and to decrease the rate of drowning in Florida. Before I got into running, my sister and I always did that race. 

How does swimming help with running? 

It helps quite a bit. My endurance has (served me) well because of it. It wasn’t a huge adjustment going from swim to running, because I was used to high amounts of training. I was a distance swimmer, but I did everything. 

To what do you attribute your early success? 

My teammate, Ava Baldauf. She pushed me the entire race, and we took second and third — less than a second apart. Without her there, I would not have run that well. She pushes me every day in meets and practice. 

What do you enjoy about doing cross country for West Orange? 

The positive environment. I love the team, we have a great coach, and everyone is so positive and encouraging with (one another). We support (one another) no matter what — whether it’s practice or meets. 

What are some of your goals for the season? 

I hope the girls team can qualify for state and the boys, too. Individually, I’d like to go sub-19:00 in the 5K. My previous best time from last year was 19:28, so I hope with the way training has gone so far, when I get to those championship races, that we can see really good times. 

Favorite movie? 

“The Martian” 

Favorite TV/Netflix show? 

“Vampire Diaries”

Disney or Universal and favorite ride? 

Universal — Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rock It. 

Favorite food? 

Tortellini. I have that the night before a race. 

An Olympian you would like to meet if you had the chance? 

Allyson Felix. She seems like such a positive role model in how she balances being a mother and running. She’s a great athlete on and off the track. It would be an honor to meet her.