Two-sport star is both disciplined and talented

Discipline and work ethic are key ingredients for a successful life. At just 16 years old, Chloe Ellerbrock has a clear understanding of this.

Chloe just finished Grade 10 at St. Mary’s Academy, where she earned a very impressive 91.5 per cent average and made the honour roll.

This is an impressive feat for any student, but Chloe achieved these marks while dedicating a lot of time and energy to the two sports she loves to play — volleyball and basketball.

On the volleyball court, Chloe plays with the University of Manitoba Junior Bisons volleyball club. This past season, her U16 team won the provincial and national tournaments and won the team of the year award at the Volleyball Manitoba banquet, an award that considers all teams from both genders.

Chloe plays basketball for the University of Manitoba Junior Bisons basketball cub, and her U17 team won the provincial championship this past season.

She also plays both sports for St. Mary’s.

"I like both sports equally," she says. "I play middle in volleyball. I love blocking, and when I have the opportunity to hit, I love hitting.

"In basketball, I love playing defence. I really like reading the play and anticipating where the ball is going to go."

Chloe and her mom Brandy, stepfather Tom, brothers Ben and Liam, and little sister Ella live in River Heights.

"My mom is my biggest fan, she always supports me," Chloe says. "My mom and stepfather are always driving us everywhere because all four of us kids play sports. They are amazing and awesome for all they do."

Chloe is a great role model and has tremendous perspective on being a student athlete.

"I’m hoping to get a scholarship for either sport," she confesses. "Sport is really important to me. I feel it’s like therapy to me and I think sport teaches teamwork and time management, which are things that will help me all the way through life.

"School comes before my sports, though," she says.

"If I have a game and a big test, my big test comes first. I study before school in the morning and at lunch because I’m often on a court or training for five hours after school."

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca