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Photo by: John McGillen
Getting To Know Kendall Ellis
October 03, 2017 | Track & Field, Features
USC has a long history of excellence in the world of track and field. One current star is senior Kendall Ellis, who was part of USA's relay team that won the 4x400m gold at the 2017 World Championships. Last year she placed third in the 400m finals of the NCAA Championships and won the Pac-12 400m title. She also placed second at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships in the 400m and was part of the NCAA Indoor Championship and NCAA Collegiate record-setting 4x400m relay. Kendall holds the USC record in the women's 400m of 50.00, which is the second-best time in Pac-12 history. Read below for a Q and A to dig deeper into the life of the reigning Pac-12 champ.
Q: What does it feel like being a senior now?
KE: When they say four years flies, its seems so cliché but now that I'm a senior it seems true. I remember that freshman year, looking at the seniors, it seemed so far away, I have so much time. Now all these things, it's really my last time doing it at USC.
Q: More specifically, what has been the best part about being on the USC Track and Field team?
KE: I think getting to see the combination of my own growth from freshman to senior year. I came in as a scared and nervous freshman, not knowing how to do drills. Now I'm a senior and I see the current freshman and they look just like me. I was like "wow that was really me" only three years ago. The development and the growth of the past couple years.
Q: What has been the toughest part about being a student-athlete, and how do you balance that in your life?
KE: I am a planner. I write everything down. If it's not on my calendar, I do not have to do it. I don't remember it. Really writing everything I have to do down. Small things, little things. Having a planner and calendar really keeps me accountable and helps me manage my time.
Q: What about the USC Track and Field team, or USC in general, has allowed you to succeed athletically?
KE: The support. By far the support. Not only on the track, from my teammates and coaches, but just as much off the track. They care about my performance and what I do in my life. It is like a constant 24-hour support system. If I needed something, I know I could call anyone at 4 in the morning…even the coaches. That's the relationship we have on this team.
Q: This year, what are your goals for yourself, and for the team?
KE: For me personally, I want to have the collegiate record in the 400m. I want to be indoor national champ and outdoor national champ for the 400m. For the team as a whole, I want us to be national champions. This is the time to do it. We have so much talent this year. As long as everyone stays healthy and does what they are capable of doing, I have no doubt we can be national champs this year.
Q: How has your experience at the World Championships this year helped you for your college season?
KE: It was a lot of fun. It was definitely stressful. It was the biggest meet of my life, so far. It was crazy to be running with people I have looked up to and seen running on TV for years. That was a surreal moment. It helped me with understanding I can do this. It was a confidence booster. The results were not great, and it wasn't what I wanted, but just the experience itself, reinforced that I can do this. I belong with the best of the best. It's given me the confidence to go out my last year with a bang.
Q: How does your mindset change from when you are running the 400m individually, versus as a relay?
KE: It always feels different. I think when it comes to the 4x400m, it is so much more about the team aspect. There are three other women you are running with, and I absolutely do not want to let them down. We don't have a weak link on our relay, whatsoever, but you never want to feel like you didn't do enough to help the other girls out. In the open 400m its, "I want to do well for myself and of course the team, but if I don't win it's just me." Like I am the only one that has to carry that. In the relay, it is three other women and you want to do your best for them.
Q: What are your aspirations for after graduation?'
KE: Hopefully I have a career in professional track and field. That is my ultimate goal. I want to go pro and then when that is done, that doesn't last forever, I want to go into coaching and I'm also interested in public relations. I'd like to hopefully work with USA Track and Field PR, Nike, Adidas, whoever…Short term, definitely a professional career.
Q: If you were talking to a track and field recruit, what separates USC from other schools?
KE: USC has the best athletic and academic combination. When I say this, there are some schools that put such an emphasis on athletics and some schools that put such an emphasis on academics. I think USC does a great job equally supporting both. Just as hard as they celebrate the football team, they are equally excited to celebrate the engineering school. It's such a great balance here and that is what I really appreciate. You don't find that at many schools.
Q: Finally, growing up, what was your inspiration for running? What made you start running competitively?
KE: I think I kind of got tricked into it. I said I wanted to travel. I told my parents I want to travel. I remember playing tag in elementary (school) and they were like, Kendall can't play, she can't play because it's not fun with her. She always catches us so I was like, okay. We had a couple family friends who ran track, so my mom said you want to travel, lets do track and see where it can take you. I had fun. It was something I really enjoyed doing. I liked going to practice and seeing my friends. I liked competing. And more and more, I keep meeting more people through the sport and I keep having fun with it so I don't intend on stopping.
The future is bright for this USC senior. Ellis and the rest of the USC Track and Field team opens the 2018 season at New Mexico for the Cherry and Silver Invitational on January 19.
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