ROCKINGHAM — Using her speed around the track, junior Andrea Ellerbe has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
A multi-event sprinter for Richmond Senior High School, Ellerbe was a crucial part in the Lady Raiders winning their first Sandhills Athletic Conference meet of the season last week.
Helping the team earn 107 points and defeat Hoke County and Southern Lee high schools, this is Ellerbe’s first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 16
Birthday: March 22, 2005
Year: Junior
Spring Sport: Track and Field
Events: Open 100 & 200, 4x100 & 4x200 relays
Years on Varsity: 3 years
Experience: 3 years
“NEED FOR SPEED” WITH ANDREA ELLERBE
The Lady Raiders accumulated 23 points in sprinting events, with Ellerbe collecting 10 combined points by herself. She won both of her individual events — the 100 and 200-meter dashes — and also helped the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relay teams place first.
In the open 100, Richmond swept the event with Ellerbe’s first-place time of 12.30 seconds leading the way. Teammates Akeya Harrison and Isis Covington placed second and third, respectively.
Ellerbe also impressed in the 200-meter dash, clocking in at 25.60 seconds. That time was 2.04 seconds faster than the second-place finisher, Amara Morrisey of Hoke County (27.64 seconds).
According to N.C. Milesplit, Ellerbe is ranked as the No. 6 runner in the state in the 100-meter dash and the No. 8 runner in the 200-meter sprint.
Also ranked in the Lady Raiders’ 4x100-meter relay team, which Ellerbe runs as the third runner. Richmond is currently ranked as the No. 1 fastest team in the state.
At last week’s meet, Ellerbe and her teammates raced to a finish of 49.17 seconds for first place and five more points. That time was over five seconds faster than Hoke County (54.39 seconds)
In the 4x200-meter relay, Ellerbe ran the first leg and the Lady Raiders paced themselves to another win with a mark of 1:48.44. That bested second-place Hoke County (2:00.28) for five more points.
Richmond’s track and field teams will return to SAC action on Wednesday with a meet at Southern Lee. Other schools competing will be Hoke County and Lee County.
Andrea Ellerbe (left) races in the open 100-meter dash, an event she won last Tuesday. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH ANDREA ELLERBE
ROSports: What led to your successful start to the season last week and what do you focus on while running sprints?
Ellerbe: “Teamwork in the relays really helped us and we passed the baton well. Individually, other people pushing me to run fast and compete hard also helped. I want to win every race and I feel like I have to win every race knowing the speed that I have.
“Each race feels really fast so I have to focus on my strides. I just think about getting to the finish line and a quick start off the block is the most important thing.”
ROSports: You’re ranked in the top 10 in the state in three different events. What does that mean to you and how are you motivated to get faster?
Ellerbe: “It means that we have to continue to get better, every race has to be like the last race because we want to win. It’s very cool to know that I’m ranked and it can be a little overwhelming. But we are all glad to be ranked.
“What motivates me is my family. Having them out here cheering me on and the crowd and my teammates really makes me want to win every race.”
ROSports: Which event is your favorite to compete in and why?
Ellerbe: “The 4x100 relay is my favorite because I really like running the curve. I feel like I’m flying when I’m running that part of the race.
“I like the chemistry that we all have on that relay team and we’ve been running together since my ninth grade year.”
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week next week.
