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Photo by: Christopher Mitchell
Get to Know: Ava Yablonski
1/20/2023 9:45:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
There are 18 newcomers to the Minnesota Swimming and Diving programs for the 2022-23 season. In order to get to know them better, GopherSports.com is doing Q&As with each.
Up next, Ava Yablonski, a freshman from Sherborn, Mass., who attended Dover-Sherborn High School. She was an All-American as a senior and sophomore in the 100 back, as well as a four-time conference and school MVP. Yablonski won six state titles, including the 100 back and 100 fly as a senior and freshman, and 100 back and 50 free as a sophomore. She swam at the club level for Charles River Aquatics the last two seasons; competing at Futures and ISCA. Yablonski won the 100 back at the 2022 ISCA International Senior Cup and 2021 FL RAFC Winter Classic.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into swimming?
Ava Yablonski: "I got into swimming after a gymnastics injury. One of my best friends when we were eight recommended that I try out for the team that she swam on."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
AY: "After the high school state championships my freshman year."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
AY: "It was difficult due to COVID restrictions but super exciting to talk to colleges that were interested in me, even though during COVID practices and meets were very different from before."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
AY: "I chose Minnesota because the team, as well as the coaches, tried their best to make me feel comfortable even when I couldn't meet them all in person yet due to COVID restrictions."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school/club and college swimming?
AY: "College swimming is harder training-wise compared to a club team, as well as making sure you can manage your time right with school, too. High school swimming for me was super fun with the team energy and togetherness, but college swimming is the next level. This team already feels like my family, and we do pretty much everything together in and out of the pool."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
AY: "Almost every upperclassman has helped not only me but everyone transition into college but I think the most that have impacted me would be Maggie Summit, Kate Sullivan, and Olivia Bloomer."
GS: Do you have any pre-meet or pre-race rituals?
AY: "Having some sort of coffee before warm up, dancing definitely helps get my nerves out and listening to music."
GS: What is your favorite event to compete in and why?
AY: "I think my favorite event right now (changes usually) is the 50 back because the race is so short it is super fun to extend my underwaters and have limited amounts of strokes to take on the 50."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
AY: "I'm looking forward to having the ability to create even stronger friendships with my teammates and being able to remember every single one of them during my time as a Gopher."
Out of the Pool with Ava
Favorite spot on campus: Starbucks at Coffman
Favorite Food: Gnocchi
Favorite TV Show: American Horror Story or Breaking Bad
Hidden talent: Shopping (a little too much though)
Sport you're best at other than swimming: Gymnastics
Favorite moment of your swimming career: Winning my first state events freshman year in high school
Up next, Ava Yablonski, a freshman from Sherborn, Mass., who attended Dover-Sherborn High School. She was an All-American as a senior and sophomore in the 100 back, as well as a four-time conference and school MVP. Yablonski won six state titles, including the 100 back and 100 fly as a senior and freshman, and 100 back and 50 free as a sophomore. She swam at the club level for Charles River Aquatics the last two seasons; competing at Futures and ISCA. Yablonski won the 100 back at the 2022 ISCA International Senior Cup and 2021 FL RAFC Winter Classic.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into swimming?
Ava Yablonski: "I got into swimming after a gymnastics injury. One of my best friends when we were eight recommended that I try out for the team that she swam on."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
AY: "After the high school state championships my freshman year."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
AY: "It was difficult due to COVID restrictions but super exciting to talk to colleges that were interested in me, even though during COVID practices and meets were very different from before."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
AY: "I chose Minnesota because the team, as well as the coaches, tried their best to make me feel comfortable even when I couldn't meet them all in person yet due to COVID restrictions."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school/club and college swimming?
AY: "College swimming is harder training-wise compared to a club team, as well as making sure you can manage your time right with school, too. High school swimming for me was super fun with the team energy and togetherness, but college swimming is the next level. This team already feels like my family, and we do pretty much everything together in and out of the pool."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
AY: "Almost every upperclassman has helped not only me but everyone transition into college but I think the most that have impacted me would be Maggie Summit, Kate Sullivan, and Olivia Bloomer."
GS: Do you have any pre-meet or pre-race rituals?
AY: "Having some sort of coffee before warm up, dancing definitely helps get my nerves out and listening to music."
GS: What is your favorite event to compete in and why?
AY: "I think my favorite event right now (changes usually) is the 50 back because the race is so short it is super fun to extend my underwaters and have limited amounts of strokes to take on the 50."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
AY: "I'm looking forward to having the ability to create even stronger friendships with my teammates and being able to remember every single one of them during my time as a Gopher."
Out of the Pool with Ava
Favorite spot on campus: Starbucks at Coffman
Favorite Food: Gnocchi
Favorite TV Show: American Horror Story or Breaking Bad
Hidden talent: Shopping (a little too much though)
Sport you're best at other than swimming: Gymnastics
Favorite moment of your swimming career: Winning my first state events freshman year in high school
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