Camas volleyball standout stays on track (and field)

Ella Thompson will very soon become a Division I collegiate athlete.

The Columbian’s All-Region volleyball player of the year has signed to compete next season for the University of Miami in Florida.

For her four years at Camas High School, she has been a multi-sport standout for the Papermakers who also shines in track and field.

Now it’s not uncommon for athletes who have signed with a college program to spend the final months of high school preparing for the transition into becoming a college athlete.

But Thompson never considered not competing in track and field this spring.

It’s in her blood.

“My entire family grew up doing track,” Thompson said. “They all went to college for it, so getting the opportunity to compete in a family sport (and) everyone comes out and supports and watches me. They’re really excited to see me compete.”

And she’s really good at track.

Thompson placed fifth at the 4A state meet in the high jump as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore.

An injury kept her from competing in the high jump at state last season. But she’s also placed fifth at state in the javelin as a sophomore and a junior.

Last week at the 4A district meet at McKenzie Stadium, Thompson won both the javelin and high jump events and placed third in the long jump. She’ll compete in all three this week at the 4A bi-district meet in Kent.

Thompson also competed in the pole vault at district. It was only the second time she had ever attempted the event.

“I did it at our senior night (on May 5) track meet,” she said. “My dad is a pole vault coach. I’ve always grown up watching him coach. So I said ‘OK, I’m just going to do this for him. Senior year, might as well go out.’ And when I found out that I made districts, I was ‘OK. One more try. Let’s just go out there and have fun.’ ”

She ended up placing fourth, just missing a chance to advance to bi-district.

But her focus this week is on the javelin and the high jump.

Her season best of 130 feet, 9 inches in the javelin ranks her third in the state this season in Class 4A.

Her high jump mark of 5-2 puts her tied for eighth-best heading into bi-districts.

“For state, I’m just chasing a PR (personal record),” she said. “For javelin especially … obviously my goal is to become a state champion. That’s always been a dream of mine, a dream of my parents to go after that.”

Then she’ll turn her focus on becoming a college student-athlete.

She’ll attend Camas High School graduation on June 12.

The very next day, she flies to Miami. Two days after that, she starts summer classes.

“We also have weight training and summer ball,” Thompson said. “I’m so excited. It’s a great opportunity to play with girls who really care for the game and have the passion.”