Kentridge’s Hoekman ready to make a run at league title, state meet

Gymnast Ellie Hoekman stands in a corner of the room and abruptly breaks into a run, leaping, vaulting, somersaulting and spinning through the air to finish her floor routine with a salute and victorious smile.

Kentridge’s Ellie Hoekman works on her routine on the balance beam.

Kentridge’s Ellie Hoekman works on her routine on the balance beam.

Gymnast Ellie Hoekman stands in a corner of the room and abruptly breaks into a run, leaping, vaulting, somersaulting and spinning through the air to finish her floor routine with a salute and victorious smile.

Hoekman, a senior at Kentridge High School, has spent the last several weeks preparing for the sub-district meet and is eyeing a possible South Puget Sound League title in her last year as a gymnast.

Hoekman has spent much of her life in sports. She’s been a gymnast since she was 3, but she says that her love of the sports doesn’t come from the competition but from her teammates. While she calls herself a social butterfly, Hoekman says that her true friendships come from the sports and activities she’s a part of.

“I think where my friendship is in my team. Those teams are where my true friends are,” she said. “They’re the reason I stay in the sport. The sport is great but I wouldn’t love it at all if it weren’t for the relationships I get from the sport.”

Despite her multi-sport background, Hoekman says she’s not planning on pursuing diving, track or gymnastics in college. She’d rather perform for an audience.

“I don’t have to smile during a pole vault, and I like that, I like performances. I don’t get that with track or diving.”

She enjoys the performance aspect of gymnastics the most, similar to her theater work. “The funnest part for me is performing for an audience,” she said.

With this in mind, Hoekman is considering joining the cheer squad at Washington State University, which would combine her gymnastic talents as well as allowing her to perform in front of a crowd.

She’s considering a medical major at the school, but has yet to seriously make up her mind. But with her athletic and theatrical talents and friendly personality, she’ll have many options in the next four years.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.

Provided by Kent School District
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Shawna Behrens

Behrens is in her 16th year of coaching and coaches three sports at Kentlake.

Zoey Sling wins a challenge against Tahoma late in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Soccer: Chargers draw level with Tahoma 1-1

Kentridge remains unbeaten and eyes league title with two games remaining.

Kentlake’s Lauren Tripp attempts to clear a ball inside the Kentlake defensive third. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer falls to Decatur 4-0

Falcons held scoreless for first time all season, but aim for postseason.

Senior linebacker Chuka Savini lead the Kentwood defense on a huge stand in the fourth quarter against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Football: Kentwood outlasts Auburn in shootout 46-44

Antoine Lee records five touchdowns in the win for the Conks.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot wins 2nd WNBA championship

Courtney Vandersloot takes title with New York Liberty after winning crown in 2021 with Chicago Sky

Kentwood senior Aly Skagen with a tip over the net for the Conks. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Conks currently sit in fifth place in the NPSL.