By Olivia Dobbs
Contributing Writer
From her beginnings as a 7-year-old little girl in swimming lessons to becoming a dominant
force in the pool, Ellie Horning is ecstatic to continue her love for swimming at the collegiate
level.
Horning is a senior of the Desert Mountian Wolves swim and dive team and is committed to Yale University to continue her athletic and academic career. Horning ultimately fell in love with Yale because of the team culture and the coaches for the swim team.
“The coaches were amazing and I felt that they already cared about me before I was even a part of the team. The swimmers also felt like people that I would love to be around and I knew I wanted a strong academic program that would balance my athletics,” said Horning.
The Wolves swim team, led by Horning, recently won the 2024 Paul Thornburgh SUSD
Championship swim and dive meet. Horning was named the high-point female athlete, winning every event she entered.
Being named the high-point female athlete was an incredible honor for Horning, reflecting the hard work she has put in this season. Both In and out of the pool, she is recognized as a humble and kind individual.
“Ellie is always one of the people when I ask her to stop and do something or help me she never hesitates, it’s always Yes absolutely what do you need? That speaks not only to her as an athlete but to her as a person,” said Wolves swim and dive head coach Crystal Strimple.
Strimple has known Horning for eight years and has had the pleasure of coaching her for four years. Strimple coaches Horning on her club team, where she competes at the Junior National level.
Strimple has had the honor of watching Horning grow into the amazing athlete that she is.
Through everything Horning has accomplished, Strimple commends her for always keeping her head held high and maintaining a humble attitude.
Horning is a huge point scorer for the Wolves swim team and is looking to lead this team through the state tournament. She has placed on the podium every year at the state tournament. In her sophomore year, Horning won the 100m backstroke event and is hoping to reclaim her title again this year. In order to do that, she is honing in on the little details that have set her back and is hoping to perfect them before the state tournament.
Regardless of the race outcome, Horning continuously demonstrates exceptional sportsmanship and kindness. She embodies the ideal athlete that everyone should aspire to be. Despite her remarkable talent, Horning has never considered herself superior to her teammates. One of her teammates, Juliette Daigneault, often turns to Horning during challenging times.
Horning has the ability to remind her of her strengths and abilities, seamlessly making tough situations more manageable.
“Ellie makes me a better swimmer by giving me a sense of confidence and joy in the pool. She’s always there as a source of joy, laughter, and encouragement which demonstrates how much of an amazing teammate and person she is,” said Daigneault.
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