SPEEDWAY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Today we celebrate Ella Custer Mulholland, a member of the soccer and tennis programs at Speedway. Ella was a key contributor to a team that won two ICC championships and was the ICC runner-up squad this season (10-2-3 overall, 5-1 ICC). Ella has been active in soccer for over ten years in row learning lessons about friendship and competition. “The three life-long friends I’ve made since I was seven and started playing soccer: Zoey Andrews, Mylie Walton, and Kalissa Jackson-Dietzer,” said Ella who won the team’s Mental Attitude Award last season. “Ella always has a positive attitude on and off the field,” noted head soccer coach Stacie Burke. Just because she can easily make friends doesn’t diminish Ella’s competitive fire. “Ella pushes herself to play the hardest she can at each game,” noted Burke. “One major positive of having Ella on defense is that when a player gets by her, she doesn’t give up. She will chase them down and steal the ball.” Ella’s personality has been influenced heavily by her favorite camp counselor, Dallyss Hamrick. “She’s an incredible person inside and out,” said Ella. “Her ability to stay positive in literally any situation is inspiring, she motivates me in every way possible. I have not met a more genuine person in my life.” Ella hopes to study environmental science next fall but she has not decided where she wants to attend school. She may be playing some soccer recreationally but it appears her official team career ended when the Sparkplugs were eliminated in last week’s sectional by top-ranked Brebeuf. Ella’s athletic career representing Speedway will continue this spring as she rejoins the girls tennis team. Ella is the daughter of Jennifer Custer and James Mulholland. Ella has two brothers and three sisters.