Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ellie Knox of St. Edmond competes in Humboldt during the regular season.

Despite being a three-year state cross country qualifier coming into her senior season, distance running was not something Ellie Knox had particularly enjoyed through the years.

That is until recently, when the St. Edmond senior found her love for putting in the miles.

“Distance running honestly became something I embraced just this past summer,” Knox said. “It was kind of just something that had been in the back of my head and didn’t give much thought about (until 2024). Over the summers, I would only go on 3 to 4 mile runs a couple times a week.

“This summer, I really accepted the fact that I was a distance runner and acted upon it. I was running almost every day, and went over four miles almost every run. I ran my furthest ever this summer at 10 miles. I really learned to love it.”

Knox, who has also been involved in track and cheerleading as a Gael, was the veteran leader of a young squad that just missed out on advancing to state for an 11th consecutive season. She finished 11th overall individually, also just missing out on competing at state for a fourth time.

As a freshman, Knox placed 57th overall at Lakeside Golf Course during the 1A state meet, helping St. Edmond earn a program-best third place. The following season, she was 63rd as the Gaels took seventh.

Last season, Knox was a career-best 44th in a time of 20:39 as St. Edmond again finished seventh in the team standings.

“Being able to run at state is something I was so thankful for,” she said. “All the work throughout the season is shown at the state meet. You are surrounded by the best of the best. It’s such a surreal feeling.

“Having state at home is so special. We are able to show our community what cross country is all about and really display our talents. It’s so much fun running that meet and trying to look for familiar faces or hear familiar voices in a huge crowd. I still feel so honored to be part of the team that finished third at state.”

Knox has a better understanding of what the squad truly accomplished now that she is older.

“I wasn’t really able to grasp that feeling (in the earlier years) since I was only a freshman and had never experienced state cross country before,” Knox said. “Now, I look back on it and am so proud of myself and my team. It’s a huge achievement my team and I worked so hard for. I have used that finish as motivation for myself throughout the years.

“It really set the tone for the rest of my high school cross country career. I try to be the best I can be so that my younger teammates are able to have that same feeling.”

This past spring, Knox ran on a third-place 4×800 relay team at state for St. Edmond. She was also on the qualifying 4×400 relay. Knox ran the lead leg of the event in both races, while also competing as a sophomore at state and in the 4×400 as a ninth-grader.

“Being a Gael athlete is so special,” Knox said. “Being a part of a small school means everyone knows you and what you do. It’s so cool when, after having a successful meet, many teachers, students, parents and other staff members congratulate you on your achievement. It really motivates you to do well and represent yourself and your school. I have always been proud to wear ‘Gaels’ across my chest in all my activities.

“What I’ll miss most about being a Gael is the close-knit family. Everyone is always looking out for each other. As a team, we are constantly supporting each other by simply saying ‘good job’ when we pass each other on a run. It’s the little things that quickly add up and make the Gael atmosphere a very positive one. It’s nice knowing I have that kind of support in everything I do.”

Knox plans to attend Iowa State University next fall, majoring in kinesiology with a minor in biology.

TIMEOUT WITH ELLIE KNOX

Vacation destination: a safari in Africa.

It would surprise people that: my real name is Elena.

My sports role model: Simone Biles.

My everyday role model: my mom.

I can’t go a day without: my water bottle.

Nickname: my family calls me Elle’s Bells.

Superstition: wearing the same socks for each meet.

Favorite road trip: the upper peninsula of Michigan.

What are you listening to right now? Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter.

Favorites…

Team: Iowa State.

Class: Math.

Movie: Tangled.

Book: Reminders of Him.

Bing watch: Modern Family.

Phone app: TikTok.