Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/303138
F ive years ago, Ella Carnell started taking swim lessons at the Club. Now 10, Ella attends swim team practice two to three times a week. This past year, she met fellow 10-year-old Abigail Delong at a swim meet, Abigail's first. When Abigail's nerves kicked in, Ella accompanied her to the blocks and cheered her on from the sidelines. "Ella loves to encourage the swimmers who are new to meets," Ella's father, Darren Carnell, says. After that meet, the girls went out to eat with their families. "We really liked the seasoning on the French fries," Ella says, recalling that day. "We just kept eating more and more fries," Abigail adds, chuckling. Since that simple outing, the two have become close friends. They continue to meet for regular swim team practice, and they recently started playing basketball together at the Club on Saturday mornings. When she turned 10, Ella needed to go up an age group in Watts Basketball practice. She felt reluctant until Abigail offered to join her. "Their friendship is very reciprocal," says Abigail's mother, Elizabeth Hanley. "They help each other through their fears. It's wonderful knowing your kids have positive peer support." SHARING A LANE At swim practice, Ella and Abigail share a lane with their mutual friend Maddie Nistl. Maddie is 8 and has been swimming for most of her life. When she joined the swim team, she says Ella and Abigail "were the first people that said 'hi' to me." The girls' friendship has flourished. Ella and Maddie attended the WAC's 2013 GingerMania together, and Maddie and Abigail learned they were both in the same choir at St. James Cathedral. During swim team practice, the girls settle in their shared lane. Ella goes first, since she's the fastest. Maddie and Abigail follow. They tighten their goggles and push off the wall. Looking at the lane from above, it's difficult to tell them apart. blossoming friendships From left: Ella Carnell, Abigail Delong, and Maddie Nistl joke around before diving into WAC swim team practice. " Ella loves to encourage the swimmers who are new to meets " — DARREN CARNELL, ELLA'S FATHER N A O M I T H A L E N B E R G