HIRAM, Ohio – January 27, 2021 – Over the next few months, the Hiram College Department of Athletics is excited to introduce our newest Terriers, freshmen and first-year student-athletes. Today, we introduce you to Cheer & STUNT freshman Ashlynn Ellison, from Temecula, Calif.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself (major, year, sport, hometown, high school, etc.) and your background?

I plan on majoring in integrated exercise science. I am a freshman from Temecula, California and I graduated from Chaparral High School. A little bit about myself is that I was born in St. Louis, Missouri and I have six siblings. My stepdad is retired from the Navy so I have moved around a lot.

2. Why Hiram?

I chose Hiram because it was a small school that had a lot to offer. Everyone that I came into contact with was so welcoming. Because of COVID-19, I didn't get to see the campus in-person before making my final decision to move from California to Ohio and I had professors welcoming me through FaceTime. On my virtual tour, I had people from every sport and year contacting me through social media so I didn't feel so alone through the process

3. What was the recruiting process like for you?

My coach walked me through every step of the recruiting process. She answered all my questions and set me up with all the right people when I needed help. Before I even made my decision to attend Hiram my potential teammates reached out to me and told me what their experiences at Hiram have been like. It really made me fall in love with the thought of my sport and new environment.

4. What are you most looking forward to about playing your sport at the collegiate level?

I am most looking forward to all the team bonding throughout the season while playing at the collegiate level.

5. Who are some of your biggest role models or influences, both on-and-off the field?

My biggest role model on the mats would have to be Jaya Martin, a senior on the Cheer and STUNT team and volleyball team. She always has an incredible attitude about everything, has a 4.0 GPA and is just an amazing overall person that you can always talk to.

6. What did you do this past summer?

This past summer was dedicated to finding the perfect school for me and my family. Because of COVID-19, I was restricted from really doing anything social, so I focused on spending time with family before I left and ensuring everything was set for me to attend Hiram in the fall

7. What else besides athletics do you plan on getting involved with on-campus?

Besides athletics, I plan on getting a job on campus. 

8. What are some of your goals, both athletically and academically, for your first-year at Hiram?

In my first year at Hiram, I plan to make Dean's List, and athletically I would like to be able to hit all my stunts effortlessly within two weeks of returning from winter break. 

9. Who's your favorite professional sports team?

My favorite professional sports team is the Los Angeles Rams. 

10. Who's your favorite professional athlete?

James Harden

11. What's your favorite movie/TV show?

My favorite TV show is Grey's Anatomy.    

12. What song or podcast are you listening to right now?

My Favourite Clothes by RINI.

13. What's your favorite food?

My favorite food is macaroni and cheese.

14. What's your favorite athletics memory?

I tore my ACL and meniscus doing a toe touch at practice and my stepdad ran into my gym in Ninja Turtles pajama pants and carried me out and I continued to cheer on my knee for three years before getting it checked out.

15. What's your favorite thing about Hiram so far?

The trees behind the Hinsdale building in the Fall.