LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One Kentucky high school swimmer has had her eyes on the gold since freshman year and now that gold medal count has only gone up over her high school career. 

What You Need To Know

  • Assumption senior Ella Welch has won a state title every year over her high school career

  • Welch won the gold at the state meet in the 50 and 100 free

  • Assumption placed 2nd as a team at the state swim meet

  • She will attend the University of Louisville in the fall

 

Ella Welch and the pool didn’t always see eye to eye.

“I started here when I was 7, I cried at my first practice,” Welch said. “I don’t tell many people that because I had no idea what a 25, 50, 75 meant. I did not understand the lengths in the pool.”

Eventually Welch got the hang of it and has been untouchable in the water since.

“Probably before I was 15, I wasn’t really sure how far this would take me but I’d probably tell myself just keep having fun because that’s probably the reason why I’m still going because everything is so much fun,” Welch said.

Welch now holds the 200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay, 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle school records at Assumption High School.

“Everybody can look at the talent in the pool and see that but what makes her stand out more than anyone else is just the attitude she brings every single day to every single race to every competition,” head swim coach at Assumption High School, Rick Stewart said.

As well as winning a state title every year of her high school career. 

Freshman year: 100 free- 1st place, 50 free- 2nd place. Sophomore: 100 free- 1st place, 50 free- 2nd place. Junior year: 100 free- 1st place, 50 free- 1st place. Senior year: 100 free- 1st place, 50 free- 1st place.

“I’ve never really worried about the pressure,” Welch said. “I got a little more nervous than I thought I would the day off but going into it, I’ve done it 3 other times.”

Finishing her senior season at Assumption High School in Louisville with gold around her neck in both the 50 and 100 free.

“It’s such a bittersweet feeling because you’re so excited for her and her success but you’re also on the flip side that was it, you get to watch her continue to swim but not for you and your team and your school,” Stewart said.

For Welch, it’s not all about standing on top of the podium.

“Even if it wasn’t how I wanted to perform, it was a good swim and around people that I love so it was all good in the long run,” Welch said.

Assumption High School finished second as a team at the state swim meet Saturday.

Welch will continue her swimming career at the University of Louisville this fall.