By Rich Winter

605 Sports

MELLETTE — The legend of Ella Boekelheide, affectionately known as Ellabeast, continues to grow.

On Sept. 9, Boekelheide dueled with some of the best cross-country runners in the Upper Midwest at the Nike Heartland Preview in Sioux Falls. She finished third in that race (17:59) and immediately following the awards jumped in a van, got some water and food and drove back to Mellette so she could set for Class B No. 3 Northwestern Wildcats. 

“There is a reason we call her Ellabeast,” Northwestern volleyball coach Nora Groft said. “The fact that she jumped out of the van after basically sprinting three miles and then played volleyball is amazing. She has more energy and it’s almost like she played better Saturday after her race.”

In the volleyball match against Madison, Boekelheide led the Wildcats with 19 assists, 12 digs, four blocks and two aces. 

The third-place finish at Saturday’s cross-country meet was a breakthrough for Boekelheide as she crushed her personal best for the 5,000-meter run and was the first Class B finisher across the line. 

“Running that kind of time gives me confidence and makes me excited for the rest of the season,” she said. 

Boekelheide already has some impressive running credentials to her name. 

As an eighth-grader, Boekelheide won the Class B cross-country title (19:39) in 2021 and followed that up with state championships on the track in the 1,600 meter run (5:21) and 3,200 meter run (11:33) in 2022. 

Last season, Boekelheide gave up the top spot on the podium to then Chester Area freshman Emery Larson. Boekelheide was second to Larson at the state cross-country meet and second behind Larson at the state track meet in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs. 

This summer Boekelheide went to work and came into cross-country season fit.

“It was just consistency this summer,” she said. “When I go to a meet this year I kinda just trust my training and go from there.”

Boekelheide’s volleyball story changed gears this year with a switch from the libero position to the full-time setter. 

“Ella’s talent is really interesting,” said Groft about the 5-foot-9 Boekelheide. “She’s always been this tiny little girl that has been playing libero. Late last year we started working on her setter hands and it is still a learning experience because she’s used to being a defensive player.”

Ella Boekelheide sets Nikki Nickeson in a match against Herreid/Selby Sept. 5 in Mellette - Photo courtesy of Murphy Lewis

Northwestern was 7-3 entering the week with losses coming against Class AA schools Huron and Watertown and long-time rival Warner. 

Being a multi-sport standout doesn’t come easy and Boekelheide starts her days at 6 a.m. to get ready for cross-country practice at 7 p.m. Two other volleyball players Tara Blachford and Sophia Troske are also on the cross-country team.

“I get up pretty early to go to cross-country practice,” Boekelheide said. “I have chocolate milk afterwards and go to school and try to make it through.” 

Groft calls Boekelheide the ultimate competitor. 

“She’s a competitor but I also think she enjoys being on a team and the social aspect of that,” Groft said. “She enjoys playing with her teammates and she is super encouraging to them.” 

Groft says Boekelheide is fast and a tremendous athlete that can get to any ball on the volleyball court.

“Both sports help with each other,” Boekelheide said. “When I play volleyball I always run to everything. Even if you think you can’t get to a ball you still have to try.” 

Groft said the 2023 Northwestern volleyball team is young and improving every day. She thinks Boekelheide will be an outstanding setter by the time she’s done.  

“She’s only a sophomore,” Groft said. “She’s got three years to get comfortable and that will come.”

Boekelheide is coached by her mother, Kris, who ran cross-country for Platte as a prep athlete. The grind of two practices a day and matches and meets on the same day doesn’t seem to be slowing down the Northwestern athlete.

“When I go to a cross-country meet I think about cross-country and when I’m playing volleyball I’m thinking about volleyball,” she said. “I just don’t let myself get tired. I know I need to perform well for my team and it doesn’t matter how a meet goes, I know I just have to go out and do my job.”