By: Dana Hathaway

Editorial Editor 

When junior Ella Ralston’s parents put her in swim lessons for the first time, Los Gatos High School did not yet know to thank them for placing the future water polo star on her path to the pool. Beginning her third year on Varsity water polo, Ralston is juggling athletics, academics, and an interest in sports medicine during the current fall season. 

Ralston recalls her first season on varsity, the mini-season of 2021, as “so exciting. [She] was new to the school so [she] met some people [she’s] still close with now.” After moving from Bret Harte Middle School, a school that typically feeds into Leland High School, Ralston recalled that “The team helped [her] get adjusted to the school.” She elaborated, “we’re all pretty good friends.” The lefty got playing time from the beginning of her high school career, and her five years of experience contributed to her starting position this year. 

Despite the season having just begun, Ralston is on fire, already contributing nine goals to the team’s 4-0 record. She is even tied for the second-most goals and second-most assists. The athlete declared, “It’s looking to be a good season. We have a lot of new players on varsity this year, and it’s cool to see everyone start to mesh together.” 

While she discovered her passion is in the pool, water polo is not the only sport in which Ralston is involved. If you look carefully on the football field every Friday night, a mop of dark brown hair will be roaming the sideline. As co-president of the sports medicine program, her hands are frequently taping and stretching those who are injured. She noted that her weirdest experience thus far was when “[She] had to stretch someone’s neck. It was the craziest feeling!” When asked about her future, Ralston explained, “I definitely want to do something like physical therapy, nursing or training.” For now, she will continue to garner experience with LGHS’s student athletes.

Outside of sports, academics eats up her free time. She is taking a handful of advanced classes this year, including AP Biology, which directly correlates to her interest in health. In addition, Ralston keeps up with her social life, which includes her LGHS, water polo, and Hume Lake friends.  After her fifth year at the week-long camp this summer, she consistently keeps in touch with her friends there. In the few hours she spends at home each day, her cocker spaniel/poodle mix (cockapoo) Jasper keeps her company and prevents the house from feeling empty in the absence of Ralston’s older brother, who left for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo earlier this month.

She somehow manages to do it all and, despite this schedule, it’s guaranteed that she will still stop and ask about your day. An optimistic presence in the pool and out, Ralston continues to make an impact as her years accumulate at Los Gatos High.