One More Time: Ella Ofstedahl
5/27/2020
By Ella Ofstedahl, Women’s Golf Student-Athlete
Georgia Southern women’s golf senior Ella Ofstedahl ranked fifth in the Sun Belt and led the Eagles in scoring average with a mark of 73.56 when the NCAA and Sun Belt canceled all 2020 spring competition due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bedfordhshire, England, native has been a staple in the Eagles’ lineup since coming over to Statesboro in 2016 and was the Sun Belt individual champion in 2019.
Having the season cut short so abruptly was not how any of us senior athletes saw our final year ending. I felt like it all escalated quickly after we heard that classes were moving online. Suddenly our spring break trip to Arizona was canceled and the rest soon followed. Not being able to return to the Sun Belt Conference to defend my title was really disappointing. The entire team had been preparing so hard to be able to go out there and prove what we could do. But that got taken away in a heartbeat.
My parents were flying out to come watch me play my last event as a student-athlete and attend my graduation. When we found out that none of this was possible, it was heartbreaking. Playing in front of them and making them proud is all I have ever wanted from my golfing career. However, instead of this, I packed up all my belongings and flew back to England before restrictions prevented me getting back to my family. I have been going through a mixed bag of emotions: frustration, disappointment, stress and acceptance of what the situation was.
I had never thought about going back to Georgia Southern for another year because the idea never crossed my mind that seniors would get another season to compete. However, after a phone call with Coach Kuhfeld, everything changed again.
Having the opportunity to come back to Georgia Southern and compete for a team that I love is exciting. Over the past four years, I have really grown as a player and person from everything I have learned from Southern. My teammates have supported me no matter what and I have made such strong friendships with the people I call my family in America.
I can’t emphasize enough how grateful I am to everyone that is involved with giving me the opportunity to finish out my college career the right way. I feel like I still have a lot left to give on the course and that my team is going from strength to strength – something I want to be a part of for another year.
The donors, supporters and fans of Georgia Southern athletics are incredibly special. To all of you that have made so many things possible, thank you. I think I speak for every student-athlete when I say that we couldn’t do it without you.
I had prepared for this year to be my last as a Georgia Southern Eagle and to have that ending taken away was tough. With all that being said, I am excited to share with everyone that I will be back in Statesboro for another year, competing with the team I love and for the school that has given me so much. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can achieve and am excited to spend more time with my teammates. This extra year gives me time to continue my growth as an athlete and to further my academic studies. Thank you to everyone who is giving me the chance to represent this university for one more year.
With that being said, I will be completing a second bachelors degree in psychology – something I have been interested in for a long time. Both Coach Kuhfeld and Coach Butler have supported me during this strange time, and I am thankful that they are making this transition possible. I am grateful and excited to end this journey the right way. I know this team has a lot to give and I am looking forward to being apart of it again!
Thank you Eagle Nation for everything.
GATA,
Ella
