Chasing History: Ella Steel-Douglas sets sights on track and field greatness
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ella Steel-Douglas is hoping to sprint, leap, and hurdle her way into the history books.
The Grade 12 standout from Sandwich Secondary School delivered a powerhouse performance at the WECSSAA track and field championships this week, capturing five gold medals and setting three meet records.
Steel-Douglas claimed top spot in the high jump, long jump, 100-metre hurdles, and helped win both the senior girls’ 4x100m and 4x400m relays. She also rewrote the record books, setting a new standard in the 100m hurdles and helping her relay squads set new WECSSAA records in both races.
Her dominant showing earned her the overall girls title at the meet.
“I’ve had a great team and coaching staff behind me,” Steel-Douglas told Powerplay Sports. “I’m hoping that the positive momentum just keeps going, honestly, and getting to where I want to be because I know I want it for myself.”
Where she wants to be is at the very top of Ontario high school athletics. Steel-Douglas already owns 12 medals from OFSAA, the provincial high school championships, and is chasing the record held by Olympian Jessica Zelinka, who earned 16 OFSAA track and field medals during her career.
To surpass her, Steel-Douglas will need to medal in all five events she’s entered in at this year’s provincials—including one that’s still new territory: the high jump.
“I’ve done it twice when I had to do multi-events during my Border City (Athletics) season,” she said with a smile. “Watched it a little bit but that’s about it.”
Despite her limited experience in the event, she soared to gold at WECSSAA—an early sign she could pull off the historic medal haul she’s aiming for.
If she does, she won’t just be remembered as a winner—she’ll be remembered as the most decorated high school track and field athlete in Ontario history.
Sandwich secures 14th straight tiel in tightest battle yet.
Sandwich claimed the overall team title at the WECSSAA track and field championships—but this one was anything but easy.
“This year was no exception,” Sandwich head coach Rob Moore said. “I say it every year, to win the WECSSAA title takes an overall team commitment. Track and field is 95% individual, but every point matters—and every athlete came prepared to battle.”
Sandwich edged out a determined Villanova team by just 22 points—marking the closest finish in over a decade. In comparison, Sandwich had won by 400 to 700 points in each of the past three years.
Villanova, loaded with rising young talent, gave the defending champs everything they had. “Coach (Mike) Baran at Villanova has built a great program, and it’s really starting to show,” Moore said.
At the final day’s afternoon break, Villanova was leading 570 to 550 but Sandwich surged ahead with strong performances in the 200m, the 4x400 relays, and the field events.
Athletes like Jaela Bailey and Julia Carswell delivered standout performances. Bailey won four golds, including three WECSSAA records—in both relays and the senior girls 200m.
Carswell, just a Grade 9 student, also took home four golds and helped set a relay record alongside Bailey.
“To Coach Baran and the Villanova athletes—you’re a team to be reckoned with for years to come,” said Moore. “But I told our kids, if you see a Villanova shirt in front of you, give it everything you’ve got.”
Commentaires