As a senior captain, Ella Iannone makes practices fun but also makes sure her teammates are putting in their best effort. “We have such a small team so I try to make sure we are always bonding with each other, having a good time but also staying focused and working hard at practice,” said Iannone. 

Iannone started running in fourth grade “for a kids triathlon program called Race 4 Chase.” Her inspiration to start running came from her sister Brooke, and to this day her sister is still the reason she pushes herself harder and harder every day.

Iannone’s older sister, Brooke, ran cross country and outdoor track for Woodland, just like she does. “I felt like I was following in her footsteps and had to live up to the standard she set,” said Iannone.

When Iannone feels defeated at a cross country practice or meet, she remembers who helped her feel better and she tries to do the same to the rest of her team. “Although, now that two of my best friends that I met in my first practice freshman year, graduated (-Faye Carnemolla and Leah Zanic-), I am very inspired by them and the mark they left,” said Iannone. “They still support me so much and whenever practice is hard, I always think of them and how they pushed themselves even when it did not feel great.”

For Iannone, she doesn’t have a pre-meet ritual, but she does specific things that help her be 100% for her meet. “I always make sure I am eating some type of carb, which is usually pasta,” said Iannone. “As well as the day of a race, I always try to drink electrolytes and watch the food I put into my body. On the bus rides I try to listen to some hype music, pray, try not to get too caught up in my head, and visualize the race I am about to run.”

Iannone has so many memories that it’s hard to just pick one, but sophomore year NVL championship stands out. “I was so nervous but my teammates encouraged me and I remember crossing the finish line. I hugged two of my teammates: Leah Zanic, Faye Carnemolla. I also hugged Coach Lowands and all my family members that were there, and I realized I got ALL-NVL and was so happy and proud of myself.

When Iannone was a freshman she wouldn’t have thought she would get to this mature mindset where, “even when it gets hard, you can always handle it and push yourself harder.” 

She struggled with the thought of her brain telling her she was defeated before she determined that. “I have learned that your mind is always going to tell you that you are done before your body is actually done,” said Iannone. “Meaning you can always push a little harder, even when you think you can’t, and know it will pay off.”