Finding her moment

Ella Wallis spent the season putting in the work, building routines and refining skills in preparation for a meet where everything would come together. At regionals, it finally did. 

“I knew it was coming, and I’ve just been working hard,” Wallis said. “But I knew it would.” 

Competing at Level 9, one step below the highest level in club gymnastics, Wallis delivered her strongest performance of the year, finishing first in her age group and qualifying for Western Nationals in Boise, Idaho. She stayed focused on execution throughout the meet rather than tracking scores, approaching each routine with the same mindset she carried in training. 

“I didn’t even know I’d won,” she said. “I was just trying to hit my routines, and then at the end, we looked at the scores and I was in first.” 

Her coach, Bridget Scholljegerdes, owner of Elevate Gymnastics and Athletics, said the performance reflected the work that had been building over time. 

“Everything that she needed — mentally, emotionally, physically — she was on point,” Scholljegerdes said. “And it all hit that day.” 

In gymnastics, that kind of performance comes from repetition. Athletes train for hours to prepare for a single meet where every routine must come together, leaving little room for error once competition begins. Wallis’ preparation included refining difficult skills, including a front toss on the balance beam, which is a front flip performed on a surface just four inches wide. 

““I was doing it before, and then I just wouldn’t do it anymore,” Wallis said. “So I had to work on the mental side and build my confidence back up.” 

The setback forced Wallis to work through the mental side of competition, rebuilding confidence in routines she had previously performed without hesitation. After falling short of qualifying for Western Nationals the year before, she carried that frustration into the offseason. 

“I didn’t want to feel that disappointment again,” Wallis said. “So, it pushed me to work harder.” 

The performance at regionals reflected that progression, as Wallis was able to put together the routines she had been working toward throughout the year. At this level, the demands extend beyond competition. Wallis trains nearly 20 hours a week while maintaining a full academic schedule, balancing both through discipline and time management. 

“I just try to get everything done at school, so I don’t have to worry about it after practice,” she said. 

Scholljegerdes emphasized that development at this level goes beyond just physical training—it all has to do with having the right mindset at the right time.  

“You have to train the whole person,” Bridget said. “The physical side, the mental side — all of it matters at this level.” 

Level 9 presents a significant jump in difficulty and expectation compared to previous levels, requiring both technical skill and consistency across all events. Wallis met that challenge with steady progression, building toward a performance that stood out within the program. According to Scholljegerdes, the result marked a rare achievement for the area. 

 Now, Wallis turns her focus to Western Nationals in Boise, Idaho, where she will compete against top gymnasts from across the region, including athletes from Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Wyoming. Reaching Western Nationals has been a goal for Wallis since she first began competing at Level 9, adding extra meaning to her performance at regionals.