Published: April 18, 2008 11:10 am            

Russell to continue tennis career at Truman State

CLINTON — Clinton High School tennis standout Ellen Russell has signed a national letter of intent to continue her playing career at Truman State University.

The River Queen senior has accepted a scholarship offer from Bulldog head coach Pete Kendell, who saw Russell compete at the Iowa State Tennis Tournament last season.

“Last year at state they watched me play and talked to me about going there,” Russell said. “Some of the smaller schools in Iowa did too, but I wanted to do something different from everybody else.”

Truman State is an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

According to Russell, once she saw the Kirksville, Mo. campus, she was sold.

“I took a visit over the summer and I really liked the campus, it’s a beautiful campus. Also they have my major,” said Russell who plans on pursuing a double major in exercise science and kinesiology with a minor in math.

It is easy to see what sparked Kendell’s interest in Russell. She was the first freshman in 20 years to play in the No. 1 varsity position for Clinton High.

She was named team MVP and co-captain after her sophomore and junior campaigns and has placed in the Iowa State Tournament in each of her first three years of high school with hopes to return in May. Russell has also been ranked by the USTA in the Missouri Valley for the last seven years.

The success has come through years of hard work and practice for Russell, the daughter of Stuart and Barb Russell.

“I started playing when I was nine,” Ellen said. “I started taking lessons with Cindy Rasche, Dave Moore and Barb Brondyke, then I started playing in tournaments when I was 10.”

Russell also credits Deb Olson for having a hand in her success.

“She has been there for a lot of stuff with me.”

With a new chapter of her life about to begin, Ellen feels ready for the challenges and time demands being a college student-athlete will present.

“I think I’ll be ready,” said the multi-sport standout, who is a National Honor Society member and is in the 3.0 Club at Clinton High. “I’ve played sports all through high school so it is all I know. I know it’s going to be hard, but I think I’m ready.”

Getting the decision out of the way will allow Russell to concentrate on her final high school season and getting back to the state tournament to improve on her sixth place finish from a year ago.

“Knowing where I’m going next year is a big relief, I have friends who have no idea what they are doing next year and they are really stressing out about it.” Russell said. “I would say it is a big relief.”

As Russell prepares to leave Clinton and the River Queens, she is confident she will be comfortable with her new teammates and her decision.

“I actually went down and hung out with some of the girls on the tennis team,” Ellen said. “I really liked them, they seemed really down to earth and I think I will fit in well. It will be a good change of pace. I’m excited to go there, I think it’s a good school”

        

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