- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 515,356
- Reaction score
- 47
Faces of the field gives a deep look into the thoughts and lives of high school student-athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature St. Dominic Savio sophomore runner Ellie Hodge, who aspires to be a sports dietician when she finishes college.
Tell something about you that most people don't know.
My dream job is to be a sports dietitian. I am really passionate about having a healthy lifestyle, and I find nutrition and how it affects athletic performance really cool.
MORE:Our 2025 All-Central Texas girls basketball team
MORE:Our 2025 All-Central Texas girls private schools basketball team
Outside of sports, what do you like most about attending St. Dominic Savio?
I would say my favorite thing about Savio is the House System. There are four houses: Leo, Bos, Angelus and Aquila, and within each house there are families of smaller groups that you grow close to. One of my favorite traditions at Savio is Imago Christi Day. It is a day when the whole school goes out by families to serve the local community in different ways.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I want to travel all over the world, but at the top of the list right now is Santorini, Greece. It doesn’t even look real. It is so beautiful and I love Mediterranean food.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
Ooh, I never know how to respond to this question, but if I had to choose then I would say Wonder Woman because she is strong and independent.
When you were a kid, did you play just one sport, or did you try as many as you could?
I tried gymnastics, dance, volleyball, cross-country, soccer and basketball. Eventually I gravitated to running track because I love the feeling of accomplishment you get after finishing a race or when you break your personal best. I also still run cross-country and play soccer, but track has been my favorite.
When you're running on your own, what do you think about?
Lots of things. When I am racing, I try to stay focused and not go on autopilot, but I have lots of random thoughts on long runs. Most of the time it’s quiet when I am running and I can process things going on in my life while listening to my favorite music. And to be honest sometimes all I can think about is what’s for dinner.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
Yes. The other distance girls and I hype each other up to keep up the good vibes for the race. To prep for my race, I pack the night before so I’m not stressed in the morning. I always hydrate and drink lots of electrolytes the day before. In the morning my dad usually makes me scrambled eggs and I eat that for breakfast with a smoothie.
What has been your favorite sports memory at Savio?
There is no way I will forget when the cross-country girls won state. My freshman year I looked up to so many girls who are like big sisters to me. Some of them graduated that year but they still lift me up. Cross country state of 2023 was in Waco like always but this was crazy. All season, coach had said “be prepared for how hot state is going to be” every time we could complain, but then it was so cold.
What happened next?
We were slipping in the mud all cold and wet because of the freezing rain. When we crossed the finish line, we all hugged each other and my friend looked up and screamed that we were in first place! We were all so surprised and proud of each other for all of the hard work we put in all season.
If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
I'm going to say St. Joan of Arc, Jesus, Princess Diana, and I would love to go back and have dinner with my great-grandma who passed away a few years ago.
Why did you pick St. Joan of Arc?
I would say St. Joan of Arc is No. 1 because she is my confirmation saint, and I would have loved to talk to her. She was so fearless and I admire how she lived her faith.
You get to pick the meal. What are you ordering?
It would be at my favorite restaurant, Flower Child, and I would order a steak cooked medium rare with parmesan broccoli and mac and cheese on the side.
— Rick Cantu
Kai McCullough, Vandegrift
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the field: St. Dominic Savio sophomore runner Ellie Hodge
Continue reading...
All about Ellie: Memories of winning state, dreaming of Greece
Tell something about you that most people don't know.
My dream job is to be a sports dietitian. I am really passionate about having a healthy lifestyle, and I find nutrition and how it affects athletic performance really cool.
MORE:Our 2025 All-Central Texas girls basketball team
MORE:Our 2025 All-Central Texas girls private schools basketball team
Outside of sports, what do you like most about attending St. Dominic Savio?
I would say my favorite thing about Savio is the House System. There are four houses: Leo, Bos, Angelus and Aquila, and within each house there are families of smaller groups that you grow close to. One of my favorite traditions at Savio is Imago Christi Day. It is a day when the whole school goes out by families to serve the local community in different ways.
You must be registered for see images attach
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I want to travel all over the world, but at the top of the list right now is Santorini, Greece. It doesn’t even look real. It is so beautiful and I love Mediterranean food.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
Ooh, I never know how to respond to this question, but if I had to choose then I would say Wonder Woman because she is strong and independent.
When you were a kid, did you play just one sport, or did you try as many as you could?
I tried gymnastics, dance, volleyball, cross-country, soccer and basketball. Eventually I gravitated to running track because I love the feeling of accomplishment you get after finishing a race or when you break your personal best. I also still run cross-country and play soccer, but track has been my favorite.
You must be registered for see images attach
Packing early and keeping a positive vibe while running
When you're running on your own, what do you think about?
Lots of things. When I am racing, I try to stay focused and not go on autopilot, but I have lots of random thoughts on long runs. Most of the time it’s quiet when I am running and I can process things going on in my life while listening to my favorite music. And to be honest sometimes all I can think about is what’s for dinner.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
Yes. The other distance girls and I hype each other up to keep up the good vibes for the race. To prep for my race, I pack the night before so I’m not stressed in the morning. I always hydrate and drink lots of electrolytes the day before. In the morning my dad usually makes me scrambled eggs and I eat that for breakfast with a smoothie.
What has been your favorite sports memory at Savio?
There is no way I will forget when the cross-country girls won state. My freshman year I looked up to so many girls who are like big sisters to me. Some of them graduated that year but they still lift me up. Cross country state of 2023 was in Waco like always but this was crazy. All season, coach had said “be prepared for how hot state is going to be” every time we could complain, but then it was so cold.
What happened next?
We were slipping in the mud all cold and wet because of the freezing rain. When we crossed the finish line, we all hugged each other and my friend looked up and screamed that we were in first place! We were all so surprised and proud of each other for all of the hard work we put in all season.
You must be registered for see images attach
Dream dinner: Royal occasion with princess Diana, great-grandma
If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
I'm going to say St. Joan of Arc, Jesus, Princess Diana, and I would love to go back and have dinner with my great-grandma who passed away a few years ago.
Why did you pick St. Joan of Arc?
I would say St. Joan of Arc is No. 1 because she is my confirmation saint, and I would have loved to talk to her. She was so fearless and I admire how she lived her faith.
You get to pick the meal. What are you ordering?
It would be at my favorite restaurant, Flower Child, and I would order a steak cooked medium rare with parmesan broccoli and mac and cheese on the side.
— Rick Cantu
Our other Austin-area track interviews
Kai McCullough, Vandegrift
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the field: St. Dominic Savio sophomore runner Ellie Hodge
Continue reading...
