Ella Walker Brings Style To Many Different Fields

As a multi-sport athlete, Ella Walker Ella Walker SS/UTL Yukon | 2029 #59 Nation OK knew finding a job to make money would be hard because of her busy schedule. She decided to launch her own business doing something she loved.

Walker, a 2029 recruit from Yukon, Oklahoma, recently launched Knot & Glow Hair, where she does nearly every style of hair “except cut and dye.”

Walker discovered her hairstyling skills during Covid, when her mom had back surgery and couldn't do Walker's curly hair. Walker had to figure things out on her own, and got in the habit of doing her hair all the time. Pretty soon, teammates noticed and started asking Walker to do their hair. 

“I was like, ‘I'm pretty good at doing hair,' and I started my own website on TikTok, and I have a studio in my house right now,” Walker said. “It's been really fun for me and I am hoping to learn even more and help people feel confident with their hair.”

Walker has been around sports her entire life. She started playing softball at age 6, and decided to pursue it more seriously than basketball and gymnastics.

“Softball teaches me so many life lessons. I think that's the biggest reason why I love playing the sport,” said Walker, who started in the outfield but now primarily plays shortstop. “It's something I can connect with my friends (about), and I think that's a big reason why I stuck with it.”

Walker, the No. 2-ranked player in Oklahoma in Prep Softball's Class of 2029, plays for Oklahoma Athletics Madden in travel ball. She has hit 20 home runs over the last two years, and helped the team place third last year at the 14U Tier 1-Alliance National Championships.

In high school, Walker participates in track and field. She throws the discus and runs the 4x100 and 4x200 relays for Yukon High. She is a three-time conference champion in discus and threw the second-longest mark by a freshman in Class 6A last year.

“It's good to give myself a break sometimes from softball while still being active,” Walker said. “I really like throwing, and I think I'm good at it. Running for me is just to stay in shape. If I'm going to be honest with you, it's not my favorite thing to do, but I'll do it.”

Walker has a 4.1 GPA and her goal is to be the valedictorian of her class when she graduates.

“I think it will prove to myself that I can be great, and I can go do things outside of sports,” she said. “It will show that I can reach my goals and be successful.”

Although she's experienced plenty of success on the field, Walker's greatest growth in softball has come from overcoming adverse situations.

“Over time, I've struggled with how to deal with things whenever I fail,” she said. “But I think from last year to this year has been a big jump from that. I have learned how to control my emotions, especially when it comes to failure.”

Walker is interested in pursuing either meteorology or criminal defense in college. But like her hair company displays, she also has other interests that she may explore.

“Whenever I'm done with college and I am married, I want a candy shop and I want to play flag football. I know that for sure,” she said. “Whenever I go into stores, I want all the different kinds of candy. If I open my own candy shop, I don't have to choose all the time.”