OMAHA (KMTV) — Starting next school year, Elkhorn South's Ellie Akough will throw at Oregon, one of the most historic track & field programs in the country. The Ducks women's team has won seven indoor and two outdoor national titles in the last decade alone. Akough chose Oregon over Alabama, Brown, Purdue & Kentucky.
"I am really looking forward to following in the footsteps of some of the greatest throwers, some of the greatest track athletes ever," said Akough. "It has great coaching support. It has facility support. Everything is just top notch there."
Akough has captured two Class A state discus titles & one shot put title during her time with the Storm. The future Duck also won a national shot put title after her sophomore year.
"If you would've told me that four years ago, I would've been like I play basketball," Akough said. "I was sitting in Algebra I one day and the girls track coach pulled me out of class and was like you had a successful middle school season. We'd really like you to come throw for us. The practice will be done at 5 p.m. everyday, which was a lie. But yeah just kind of joined the team after that."
Akough almost didn't go out for the sport back in middle school until a friend talked her into it.
"When we were signing up for what we wanted to do for track," said Akough. "She was like my dad's making me do shot put so you're going to do it or we're not going to be friends anymore. So I was like alright, then I guess I'm doing it."
Although the 17 year old won't get a chance to defend her state title in May, Akough is still thankful for the time she's had with her high school teammates & coaches.
"I wanted to become all-time varsity points scorer for my high school," Akough said. "I was like three meets away so I was like oh this is in the bag. I feel like it's not about me. It's not about track. It's not about Elkhorn South. It's not about what I want to do. It's about livelihood of people, like it's a life and death situation."
