27 Days Until the State Football Announcement
Gatorade 2021 - 2022: Player of the Year

Girls Cross Country - Vermont

athletes playing Girls Cross Country
The POY Logo
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Ava Thurston

Distance Runner
HARWOOD UNION HS
MORETOWN, VERMONT
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-6
Press Release

Peak Performance

1st - 19:29.4

Division 2 state championship (individual)

1st

Division 2 state championship (team)

1st - 18:24.1

state’s Meet of Champions
“Ava is the first runner in the history of Vermont High School cross country to win the girls Division 2 championship in four consecutive years. What sets her apart, however, is that her number one concern has always been the finish of her team.”
John Kerrigan
Head Coach - Harwood coach
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-6 senior raced to the Division 2 individual state championship this past season with a time of 19:29.4, leading the Highlanders to the state title as a team. Thurston won the state’s Meet of Champions in 18:24.1 and placed third at the New England Championships. She also broke the tape at the Manchester Invitational, the Burlington Invitational and the Harwood Invitational.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Thurston has maintained a 3.87 GPA in the classroom. She remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Also a talented Nordic skier, Thurston is active with the Harwood Peace Alliance and has volunteered locally on behalf of her school’s chapter of the Rooted Organizing Community.