TAMPA, Fla. — There’s no obstacle in Ellis Weekley’s way she can’t overcome. She jumps over hurdles with ease.

What You Need To Know

  •  Ellis Weekley won three gold medals at state

  •  She took the top prize in the long jump, 100 and 400 hurdles

  •  Ellis is taking her track talents to Notre Dame

Ellis is a natural on the track. She was drawn to it. This Berkeley Prep grad likes the autonomy of the sport and how it pushes her to be her best self.

“Everything you do is really up to you,” she said. “And each time you race, you race against yourself and against the clock.”

The clock was ticking on Ellis' time in high school. She entered her senior season with a goal. And she closed out her prep track and field career by having herself a day at the state championships.

Her first gold medal, her very first state championship gold medal, set a tone for the rest of the day.

“That was one that I was least expecting out of all of them,” Ellis said,  “so being able to win that one first and have that adrenaline and confidence for the rest of the day really helped me in my second two events.”

By the end of the meet, Ellis walked away with three gold medals, taking the top prize in the long jump, 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles. Most high school athletes dream of winning one. The fact that she took home three was incomprehensible.

“I knew I had done something great, but it didn’t really sink into me that I had won three gold medals until the next morning,” she said.

Next up for Ellis is Notre Dame. She’s dreamed of competing at the next level for a long time. But what about beyond that? Ellis said she doesn’t think about the Olympics. But she didn’t think she was going to win three gold medals at the state championships. So anything is possible.

“I think track has given me a lot of self confidence,” Ellis said, “and it’s really helped me understand that if you work for something hard enough, you can do it.”