Nominated By: Lucy Fajatin, teammate

Playing at a varsity level in a single sport takes immense time, effort and skill. Senior Ella Pardo played three. She is playing soccer in her final high school sports season. Pardo has been a part of the basketball, soccer and softball teams for all four years of high school. 

A lot of athletes have a hard time sticking with multiple sports because of the time commitment that sports require. Ella credits her dad for keeping her involved in all of the sports. 

“He coached me and helped me get to all the practices and games,” Pardo said. “As I’ve gotten older, I have had a few stand-out coaches that have pushed me to succeed.”

The time available between playing three sports, and being in challenging classes can be very limited, and often leads to stress. 

“She’s one of those ‘I’ll never give up’ kind of players, in every sport she plays,” teammate Emma Oetting said. “She has played through injuries, bad days and everything else thrown at her.”

Pardo, like most students this year, has been quarantined. Unfortunately for her, she was quarantined twice during her final softball season. This was especially hard for Pardo, as softball is her main sport. 

“I love the positivity and the mental toughness it takes,” Pardo said. “Nothing matches the feeling of when you get a good hit.” 

Throughout her time playing for FHN, Pardo has experienced the encouragement of several positive role models.

“I look up to my older sister, Emma, because she was also a multi-sport athlete,” Pardo said. “I also look up to my coaches and teammates. There is a part of each of these people that I strive to be like.”

 Pardo is looked up to by her teammates in return. 

“Ella is extremely hard working and always trying to get better,” said senior Becka Brissette, who played softball and basketball with Pardo. “She is always positive and a light on each team she is on.”

STATS:

Softball: .310 BA, .375 OB%, .857 fielding%