Athlete to Watch: Roseville's Ava Fitgerald



What are some of your big goals for this outdoor track and field season?

My goals for this track season are to place 1st for both the 100m hurdles and the 300m hurdles at the State Meet, along with breaking 14 seconds for the 100mH and breaking 42 seconds for the 300mH.

Are you more motivated to excel since last year's track and field season was canceled? 

I am really motivated this year, with training so hard last year and preparing for the track season, then all of a sudden it getting canceled was really hard to process. It showed me how you can't always expect things to always go as planned. I'm very excited to show the improvement I've made over the year and I'm motivated to do the best I can.

When last year's track season was canceled, how did that affect your training?

It was hard during the lockdown to try and train when everything was closed. Once it started warming up, I got back out on the track and was working on some hurdle technique and getting back into a routine. Then the gyms finally opened and the place I train (Training Haus) opened back up. Once fall hit, everything was getting back to some level of normality. 

What have you been up to since we last saw you on the track?

I've just been trying to stay in shape considering the circumstances. Weight training, sprinting and hurdle technique are all the things I needed to work on even more. I competed in an indoor meet down in Chicago this past month. It was nice getting back into the rhythm of things and getting back into that meet mindset and preparing my body for what is expected.

What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?

I am looking forward to being able to run and compete again. It's going to be nice to see everyone again, including my teammates as well as opponents I am friends with. I'm excited for the meets, the practices, and all of the fun team bonding activities.

Do you have aspirations to continue your track career in college?  If so, have you begun the recruiting process?

I do plan to continue my track career in college. That has been a goal of mine ever since I started running track. I have also started the recruiting process, and I am talking to some schools but nothing is final yet.

What is one accomplishment from your high school career that you are most proud of?

I think one of my proudest moments so far was qualifying for State in 8th and 9th grade. Something about crossing that finish line at State and hearing everyone in the stands is just amazing. It's a very rewarding feeling knowing that all the hard work has paid off and everyone could see it.

MSHSL State Results

2019 State Track and Field | 2018 State Track and Field

Looking ahead to your senior year, is there anything specific you would like to accomplish before you graduate?

I would like to accomplish being the State champion in both hurdle events and placing in 4x400 and 4x200 relay events with my team. I also want to grow as an athlete, not just with my physical abilities but also making friendships with girls I already know and compete against, and to make sure I continue to have a love for the sport.