Ellie and Maddie Fraga are both varsity athletes for the Little Hawk women’s track and field team. Ellie Fraga ‘27, and Maddie Fraga ‘29 compete in many different events.
Ellie began running track in 7th grade at Southeast, and continued her career throughout high school. Maddie followed in her sister’s footsteps, also beginning in seventh grade, and running her first high school track season this year. Though the sisters both started officially running track in middle school, their track journey began long before.
Living just up the road from City High School, the Fraga sisters spent lots of time around City High sporting events, and enjoyed spending time at City High, especially on the track.
“When we were younger, we used to go up to the (City High) track, and we would race a lot. I always thought I was faster than Ellie and could beat her,” Maddie Fraga recalled with a smile.
Now, Maddie is in her first year of high school, and has joined Ellie at City High.
“I like going to school with and being on the same team as Maddie. I like seeing her at practice and spending time with her, and I think it just brings the whole team closer together,” Ellie Fraga said.
Maddie feels similarly about her frequent time spent with her sister this year.
“It’s really fun, and I like being friends with Ellie and all the older girls. They are a good influence on me and they have lots of experience,” Maddie said.
Ellie does have lots of experience when it comes to track and field. The junior has run track for all three years at City High, and is recognized as one of the best sprinters in the state.
“Some goals I have personally this year are to run an individual event at Drake, and qualify for at least two individual events at state as well,” Ellie said.
These goals are more than in reach for Ellie Fraga. Fraga has already ran a 12:58 in the 100-meter dash, a time that should more than solidify a spot for her at Drake.
As for Maddie, watching her sister have such success in track and field has motivated her personal drive.
“I’m really just trying to find one or two events that I want to focus on. I’m trying a lot of different events, but one of my favorites is hurdles. I’ve been trying to get better at those and get my time down. But Ellie definitely helps me with getting better,” Maddie said.
As Maddie focuses on hurdles, she has been attempting to get her three-step down, and lower her time. During their last meet, the freshman ran a 17-second 100-meter hurdles. When she finished her race, her coaches and teammates surrounded her in congratulations, but one teammate’s reaction stuck with her especially.
“Ellie ran up to me, and she told me good job and that she was super proud of me. It meant a lot coming from my sister, because she was excited for me, and it made me happy seeing her excitement,” Maddie said.
The congratulations from her sister is what motivated Maddie to continue working on her skill.
“I’m so proud of Maddie. I think she’s really stepped up. She’s been taking on the challenge of doing hurdles and is getting really good at it,” Ellie said.
As the pair continue their junior and freshman seasons, they both have similar goals of qualifying times. As for the future, the Fraga sisters are unsure what their futures in track will look like.
“I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but my main priority is school. I would definitely like to run track in college, but I want to be at an academically strong school,” Ellie said.
Maddie has more time to think on her decisions regarding her future.
“It could be cool to run in college, but I don’t really know right now if I could see myself doing it,” Maddie said.
Supporting each other all the way, the Fraga sisters plan to take this year by storm and make the most of every moment they get to spend on the same team.
