Ella McKenzie '16 Recruiting Profile

On a breezy autumn day in October 2011, I lost a teammate, a friend and a role model. Seamus Camp died loving what he did and our town lost one fine young individual. I was only in 8th grade but as a middle schooler on the cross country team we grew to know and love the high schoolers. We trained with them everyday. They taught us and made us better people everyday. When Seamus died, our town was heartbroken and our team suddenly lost our contagious happy energy.  Livingston, Montana still isn't the same without him. I learned something from him, if I die I want to die doing something I love, something I'm truly passionate about.

Running has taught me to go the extra mile and to appreciate people who lay all their effort on the line. It takes some serious guts to go out and run your heart out. Running is one place where reality can't touch me. It truly is my safe haven, all of my problems just fall away. I will always work my hardest when it comes to running because I have a drive and a spirit that endures. I may not have a lot of natural talent but I do have a lot of heart and passion.