A multiple time state qualifying cross country runner from Pella High School is staying close to home to continue her running career.

Ellie Roorda is joining Coach Joe Dunham in the Central Dutch Cross Country Team and as a distance runner for the track and field program. Roorda says her heart has been set on Central for some time, but took a bit more time to settle on continuing her competitive career.

“My junior year, I took some visits to other places but none of them felt like home like Central did,” she says. “At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to run or not. I knew I could at some places but I wasn’t sure if that was something I wanted to do.”

“Then, Coach Dunham approached me and he talked to me about how I would fit into the team and the possible success I could have, and so that just made me excited to give it a try.”

Hear more from Ellie about her decision to move on to Central College on Monday’s Central College Radio Coaches Corner at 7 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS.