It really isn’t surprising that Ellen (Ellie) Isenegger is a standout bowler and softball pitcher. When you think about it, it’s a pretty similar motion, whether you're delivering the ball to a pile of pins or a batter holding a stick.

The Wyandotte senior basically grew up with a bowling ball in her hand.

“I have always bowled,” she said. “It was just a fun thing we always did.”

Isenegger bowled at St. Pius from fifth to seventh grade.

“After that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to bowl in high school, but I went out for tryouts and from that day forward my winter was filled with bowling,” she said. “I liked that bowling was something for me to do in the offseason, and it was something that came naturally to me.”

She said everything changed when she started to bowl two-handed.

“It really helped keep me in control and be so much smoother,” she said. “I also joined a league that was on Saturdays that really helped prepare me for the start of the season.”

Isenegger went undefeated in league play in both her junior and senior seasons. Her goal for her senior year was to have fun, perform at her best and make it to the state finals.

Check. Check. Check.

“At states, I started very strong with my first game but slowly went downhill after that,” she said. “I placed 37th out of 50 girls, so not the best but it was a really fun experience competing against some of the top bowlers in the state.”

Softball is a whole different ballgame for Isenegger.

“There is no other place I would rather be than on that mound,” she said. “I was introduced to travel softball around the sixth grade, and have played every year since. It has really helped develop me as a player and person.”

With Isenegger in the circle for most of the season, the Bears went 21-11 during her junior year with only two seniors on the roster. She was named Second Team All-News Herald and team MVP last season, and is closing in on 500 career strikeouts. She also has topped 100 hits in her career.

“Heading into the 2026 season one of my main goals was to be a team leader and leave everything on the field for my team,” she said. “I wanted to put my all into this team because I truly think we have a chance at going far. We have so many amazing athletes.”

Isenegger, who said juggling two sports can be challenging, has some advice for younger student-athletes.

“I would say to explore everything and try new things,” she said. “You are only in high school once and there is a world of opportunities to explore, and those four years go by really fast. So get involved. You may feel overwhelmed, but soon those chances will be gone and you will miss it, so do it while you can.”

Ellie, 18, is the daughter of Shane and Stefanie Isenegger and pitches to a 3.8 GPA in the classroom. She plans to attend Henry Ford College in the fall, where she will play softball.

“I picked Henry Ford because the allaround atmosphere was nice,” she said.

“Another major role that played into it was how much I loved the softball coaches. They were always so welcoming and have always supported me.