Heart of the Axe: Ella Campbell

Heart of the Axe is a weekly feature from the perspective of Axemen and Axewomen student-athletes. It dives deeper into why they decided to attend Acadia, what drives them athletically, how they got started in their sport, the impact Acadia has had on them during their time in Wolfville and much more. 

This week's feature athlete is fourth-year cross country Axewoman and kinesiology major Ella Campbell.

I love running as an Axewoman.

While cross country and track are often considered individual sports, I have considered this team as part of my Acadia family for the past four years.

I compete to make myself and my teammates proud, knowing they are doing the same.

I’ve always been passionate about running, but it wasn’t until I joined the Axewomen cross country team at Acadia University that I truly found my stride.

As a fourth-year member of the team and kinesiology student, I’ve had the privilege of competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics and representing my school on a national stage.

It’s been an incredible journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments.

Finding my love for the sport

I started running cross country in elementary school, but it wasn’t until high school that I developed a true love for the sport.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and all other sports were canceled, I turned my focus to running and haven’t looked back since.

Even though I always competed in cross country, my parents encouraged me to participate in as many sports as possible.

Through these various sports, I learned valuable skills like resilience, teamwork, and confidence, which have carried over into my experience at Acadia.

Running at the next level

I always knew I wanted to be a varsity athlete, just like my dad, who competed at Concordia University.

When the pandemic hit, I channeled my love for the sport into my training with the goal of running cross country at the varsity level.

The tight-knit community and small-town atmosphere of Wolfville drew me to Acadia initially.

After reaching out to head coach Ralph Williams and discussing my ability to compete with the team, I knew that Acadia was the right fit for me.

The transition from high school to university was a dream come true.

Coming from a small town in Ontario with a limited running population, being able to run with other like-minded girls every day was truly incredible.

I love training with the team — we encourage each other, but we also push one another to work hard.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I take it for granted.

Competing at nationals

If I had to pick just one favorite memory from my time at Acadia, it would have to be competing at the U SPORTS Cross-Country Championship.

Running alongside the best collegiate runners in the country was a dream come true and an experience I’ll never forget.

It still feels surreal to this day.

I got to where I am today and experienced that moment because I love my sport and if there’s one piece of advice I would give to someone who wants to be where I am, it would be to have fun with it.

That love I have for running made all the hard work, time, and dedication really fun and fulfilling.

It’s for that reason I don’t see my running career coming to an end anytime soon. My varsity career may be coming to a close, but I have so many ambitions and goals for running post-varsity.

The ability to continue this sport at any age or level is truly my favorite part of running.

A memorable experience

Being a part of the Axewomen cross country team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I’ve had the opportunity to compete at the highest level, train with incredible teammates, and represent Acadia on the national stage.

Running has taught me so much about myself and has shaped me into the person I am today.

I am forever grateful for the experiences and memories I’ve made as an Axewoman, and I look forward to continuing my running journey in the years to come.