Veronica O’Hora Ellers’ dad is Tom O’Hora, long-time Cabrini track and cross-country coach, but she owes her selection to push, not pull. With her dad’s help, Veronica managed to push herself from fumbling novice to finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year in 1992-93.
"From Little League softball to college, he always stressed hard work and never giving up," recalled Ellers, the only Cavalier ever nominated for the NCAA prize. "My first softball game in 4th grade, I was pitching and the 6th-graders were hitting me all over the place. I wanted to leave the game, but Dad said, ‘You will learn from this.’"
Learn she did. Veronica would lead her team to the league finals. Eventually she earned Outstanding Athlete awards from her middle school, high school and college.
All-area in basketball at Lower Merion High, Ellers drifted away from hoops at Cabrini but earned team MVP honors three times in both field hockey and track and field.
Her track career was an afterthought. Looking to stay in shape, she started running with the Cabrini track team. The upshot: A slew of school records, including the oldest on the books (4,004 points in the heptathlon). And three straight small-college team titles at the Philadelphia Metropolitan Championships. And a pair of Philly Metro MVP awards.
Her cross-country career was a favor to her dad. "He had four runners and needed a fifth [to qualify for team titles], Ellers recalled. "That was my job — just to finish. But I improved every year."
As a senior in 1992, Ellers helped Cabrini win the first PAC women’s cross-country title. Then she rushed back to campus, changed uniforms and played in the first PAC field hockey title game. She may be the only athlete in league history to compete in two championships in one day.
Her days still are pretty hectic. Ellers, who majored in early childhood and elementary education, is a literacy coach at Hillcrest Elementary. She lives in Bala Cynwyd with her husband, 6-year-old and 4-year-old.
And she’s still pushing herself — through three classes a week in TaeBo, a cross between aerobics and kickboxing. She’s been at it for eight years.
