Each May, Anderson honors four students (two team athletes and two individuals) with Athlete of the Year titles. Ella Buie was declared the Team Sports Female Athlete of the Year for 2022-2023. She is one of the most decorated players to ever compete in the Lady Trojan soccer program being a four-year varsity athlete, overall team MVP and first-team all-district for the last three years, and team captain this past season, among many other honors. She has worked tirelessly to make herself stand out over the past four years — supported by her family, teammates, and coaches — so being named Team Sports Female Athlete of the Year is the cherry on top of her high school career.
With hundreds of worthy candidates at Anderson, Buie is “extremely honored and grateful” to be recognized. She is naturally competitive and puts one hundred and ten percent into everything she does, whether it be practice, schoolwork, friendly scrimmages, or even the pacer test. Ella mentioned that she is so well known for this trait that it has become a running joke among herself and her teammates. It has helped her achieve her goals, setting her apart from other Lady Trojans and earning her Athlete of the Year.
Besides her competitive drive, Buie attributes this title to her supporters, namely her teammates, coaches, and parents. She said her varsity teammates “are everything” and hold her to high standards while being simultaneously fun and supportive. They’ve made her into the soccer player she is today, even positively changing her as a person overall. This group of athletes has a unique chemistry which Buie pointed out is rare and part of what has made her experience with Anderson soccer so remarkable. The seniors, in particular, have become some of her best friends and will “always hold a special place in [her] heart.” Another integral part of this team bond is Coach Horvath, one of Ella’s mentors throughout high school. Buie explained how Horvath “has believed in [her] no matter the circumstance,” pushing her to be a better person and competitor. Finally, Ella could not leave out her parents, recalling how they’ve sat through hundreds of soccer games and once drove many miles to bring her the shin guards she’d left behind. They have been a pillar of support in rain, ice, and extreme heat, never thinking twice about coming out to watch their daughter’s games.
This article would not have been complete without speaking to Coach Horvath and a teammate or two. Coach described Buie as a “reliable, tenacious, and intelligent” individual who pushes others to try new things and get out of their comfort zone. Horvath noted Buie’s competitive nature, calling it “one of a kind” and one of the many traits she admires about Ella. She also highlighted her unwavering trust in Buie, who has “held a great deal of responsibility” in her capacity as captain. Fellow senior Jenna Lifshen has known Ella for ten years and has been her teammate at Anderson. Lifshen explained how hard-working her friend is, impacting the soccer program for the better with her passion and motivation.
There is no doubt that Ella Buie is one of the most qualified Lady Trojans in every area of her life. From soccer to academics, she stands out and is a well-deserving recipient of the Team Sports Female Athlete of the Year.
