'Aggie at heart': Lubbock High's Ellis Fox fulfills dream with Texas A&M swimming
Ellis Fox took an official visit to Texas A&M in October 2021. She didn't need to look elsewhere.
Fox, who has been enamored with the Aggies since participating in their swimming camp as a 12-year-old, had more visits scheduled but decided to cancel.
"I called the coaches and told them (A&M) is my place," Fox said.
Surrounded by family and supporters at the Pete Ragus Aquatic Center, Fox made the longtime goal a reality Tuesday by signing with the Texas A&M swimming program.
Fox's parents, a pair of A&M grads, convinced her to attend the camp in College Station. That launched the Lubbock High senior's pursuit of a spot on the team.
"I just fell in love with the pool and the coaches and the atmosphere that I saw through the swim camp," Fox said. "Ever since then. … (My parents) pushed me to go down there, be immersed in the culture from a young age, and it was a great decision."
The decorated Fox has another season to add to her legacy. But she's already drawn the highest praise from Lubbock ISD swimming coach Trey Hayes, who has seen his share of world-class athletes.
"I've been fortunate to coach three or four really great swimmers," Hayes said. "Ellis, by far and away, title-wise and medal-wise is the best we've ever had. … She loves competing. She's the most competitive person I've ever met, and that says a lot when you've coached Madisyn Cox, Jaecey Parham and Shaena McCloud. But she is. …
"She's ready for the next step, for sure."
Through three years, Fox has 11 state-meet medals. That includes three golds, two on 200-yard medley teams and one in the 100 butterfly. She's won six individual and six relay events at regionals — every one of her career.
Fox holds several city, school, district and regional records and was part of LHS' state-record 200 medley team last season.
Quite a high bar, huh?
Hayes says her final season, as the Lady Westerners vie for a fourth consecutive state championship, Fox will be spread across new events that will give LHS its best opportunity. The coach said he's eager to see how she responds.
As for Fox, she's looking forward to cherishing her final moments with her high school program.
"It means so much, everything that LISD embodies and especially this team," Fox said. "I wouldn't be the person who I am without the coaching staff, all the teachers, everyone involved. … Hopefully we're going to win a fourth state championship, add more medals to the title, more all-Americans. But all together, just go out with a bang."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock High's Ellis Fox fulfills dream with Texas A&M swimming
