MELLETTE – She has always had the physical gifts and the mental toughness, but what makes Ella Boekelheide such a special athlete is that she has now reached a point where she is not afraid to fail in order to experience even greater success.

The Northwestern senior has transformed from a distance ace to a middle-distance standout this season, competing in the 400-meter dash in order to enhance her new focus on the 800-meter and 1,600-meter events.

“My view has changed over the years. As I’ve matured I kind of understand it more and more,” Boekelheide said. “Every race I learn something, and I think you have to have that balance between the love and the passion for the sport, and the competitiveness, and I think I just mesh those together very well.”

While Boekelheide can and still does produce top times in the 3,200-meter run, she is not afraid to risk getting beat in shorter events in order to improve.

“Being at competing at such a high-level stage, you have to be OK with just going out there and putting yourself out there,” Boekelheide said. “I’m not afraid to have some failures along the way and I think that’s just what has made me get to that next level is just wanting to be there and wanting to try and wanting to push myself.”

While no one has ever questioned Boekelheide’s ability to compete, she has ventured out of her comfort zone to prove that there are no limitations to what she is capable of doing on the track.

“Getting on that two-mile line and the 400 line, I know it’s not my strongest events in terms over everything else,” Boekelheide said, “but even competing in things that you know you’re not the greatest at, that just helps so much, even if it’s not just the running part, but even just mentally, being there and being able to push yourself.”

Boekelheide, who will compete in both cross country and track and field at South Dakota State next year, has the top Class B times in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 this spring and is fourth in the 400.

Running the quarter mile has helped Boekelheide to excel even more in the 800 and 1,600.

“The 400, that’s mainly just a workout and good sprint work for the 800 and mile,” she said. “Because now that I’ve gotten older, the 800 is more of a sprint race than a longer race. You’re going pretty fast for those two laps. The 400 definitely helps with that.”

Boekelheide has been a valuable member in any sport she has participated in at Northwestern, including volleyball and basketball. She finished second in career set assists in volleyball with 2,774.

She owns every cross country record at the school as well as seven track and field records including the 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200, 1,600 relay, medley relay and 3,200 relay.

While Boekelheide’s talent can be measured in terms of state championships and records, her determination and competitive nature cannot. She comes from a family that includes parents who were both college athletes at Northern State, and two siblings who competed for SDSU.

“It definitely comes from my parents. … We’re just so competitive, and maybe that’s not always the best thing,” Boekelheide said. “But when it’s an advantage, it’s definitely an advantage in sports, and definitely school, too.”

And on those rare occasions when Boekelheide has not managed to cross the finish line first, she has gained a new perspective from those times as well. It has caused her to spend time reflecting on why she even runs in the first place.

“I’m doing this because I love running,” Boekelheide said. “It’s my passion and not just because I want to win.”

A passion for running, especially long distances, is definitely not for everyone, whether winning or losing at the end of the day. It’s another valuable lesson that Boekelheide has learned through the years.

“You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Running is not super aesthetic. There’s not a lot of beauty in it,” she said. “Kind of just going out there and pushing yourself to the max. You’re supposed to be tired. It’s supposed to hurt, and you have to push through the pain. That’s just what you have to do.”

While Boekelheide has won multiple state championships in both cross country and track and field, it really should come as no surprise that her two most memorable experiences in her career have nothing to do with winning. Instead, they have everything to do with pushing the boundaries and challenging herself.

They happened at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays when Boekelheide was a freshman and again earlier this month when she was selected to compete in the Special 800-meter race against athletes from much bigger schools, including some from out of state.

“The first thing that comes to the top of my head is just both the Special 8’s I was in. It’s just great to see them pick a Class B girl, especially the first year,” Boekelheide said. “I hadn’t run too great of times and they picked me. It was just so cool to be there with all of the amazing athletes. And then again full circle moment getting picked this year.”

While Boekelheide did not win either one of those races, she proved something to herself that will undoubtedly help prepare her for what lies ahead in her running caeer.

“There’s two sides to look at it almost. I can think I’m an underdog and appreciate that I’m there, but also I can think like, I earned my way here, I’m able to run with these girls,” Boekelheide said. “That’s kind of the take I took on it this year.”

And like it would with any standout athlete, the experience left her with a unsatiable desire for more and a wonder of where the ceiling lies.

“It shows that there’s so much out there,” she said, “and keeps me wanting more.”

Boekelheide is excited about her future at SDSU and knows there are competitive days ahead. However, she also knows the state meet is the final time ever she will wear a Northwestern uniform and that moment is not lost on her, either.

“I’m just excited to go out there and compete against all the girls,” Boekelheide said, “and I’m really looking to put down some good times maybe, just go out there and compete, and enjoy my last race.”