Bixenman experiences distance signing

 

It was new ground for Ellie Bixenman.

The Mullen senior sprinter made it official on Wednesday – she signed with Catholic University in Washington, D.C., to compete in track and she did it under the current circumstances.

She joined the Cardinals using social distancing, so it was her at home while a bunch of friends and supporters were on a computer screen.

Call it distance signing?

“Signing day at a distance,” Bixenman said. “It was good. My best friends got on and couple of other people … it turned out OK.”

Bixenman’s main event is the 400 meters. If Mullen ever gets a chance to complete its 2020 track and field season, she’ll also do the 100 and 200, and a relay. Indoors, she’s into the 60 and 300.

Frustrated like other prep athletes who aren’t permitted to compete, Bixenman did have a nice showing at a high-end Nike indoor meet in Boise, Idaho, in early February, taking seventh in the 400 and teaming with Agur Dwol, Emma Vigil and Mikaela Henderson for 17^th in the 800 relay.

Mustangs head coach Caitlin Able called Bixenman’s signing “awesome. Ellie has worked extremely hard. She knocked 2 seconds off her 400 from last year, but we haven’t run (outside) yet. But she’s one of the top 400 runners in the state. This shows how hard she has worked and it pays off. In Washington, D.C., it has her major and everything fell in perfectly.”

With plans for a double major in theology and philosophy, and a minor in psychology, Bixenman said she chose Catholic U. for “I don’t now, so many reasons … I definitely wanted a community that had the same goals as mine and can push me to the best version of myself. I’ll also be running track with people who do the same things, love track as much as I do, and life as much as I do, and within the Catholic faith.”