Get to know Fort Loramie HS cross country runner Ava Turner
FORT LORAMIE, Ohio — Fort Loramie Senior, Ava Turner is a three sport athlete with a whole lot of dedication and passion for what she does. While she has made her mark on the Fort Loramie Varsity basketball and softball teams, this article will be taking an in-depth look at her time on the cross country team.
Turner made her cross country debut in junior high, and has continued running for the past 6 years. She has acquired many honors over the course of her career including Academic All Ohio and Shelby County First Team. In addition, Turner and her team have been SCAL Champs, District Champs, Regional Runner-ups, and have made multiple appearances at the state meet.
鈥淚 love how rewarding cross country can be,鈥� Turner says. 鈥淣othing beats the feeling of running a PR, or watching your teammates run a PR. You get that euphoric feeling after you run a good race.鈥�
She has a lot of passion for the sport as well as the tight bond she shares with her teammates. The Fort Loramie cross country team spends a lot of time together. From tie-dying t-shirts to Disney movie nights, and from midnight breakfasts to filming vlogs, the team has made a lot of special memories together.
鈥淚 love how close our team is,鈥� Ava tells us. 鈥淵ou cannot do this sport alone, so we all depend on each other to make each other better. We are like a family inside and outside of cross country.鈥�
While Ava has had many of incredible moments while being a member of the聽 cross country team, she also recalls the challenges she鈥檚 faced along the way.
鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 hard to get past mental blocks, which in result can lead to bad performances even though you are so physically conditioned,鈥� Turner says. 鈥淭his is a big issue I dealt with in my sophomore season.鈥�
A big part of athletics is mindset. Ava recognizes this fact and continually preserves through the hardships that tend to arise. Cross country is a difficult sport, but it鈥檚 important to keep moving forward.
鈥淣ever dwell on the past. We all have bad days, or make mistakes, and if you continue to dwell on those you will never be successful,鈥� she says. 鈥淧ut your mistakes behind you and have the mentality that you will do better the next time.鈥�
Turner has leaned a lot over the course of her time in athletics. One of the pieces of advice she carries with her is the significance of working hard.
鈥淭he hours doing the hard work can be gruesome and painful, but it is all worth it in the end, and it gives you a sense of pride when you accomplish your goal.鈥�
As she finishes off her senior season, Ava reflects on the impression this sport has left on her life. She encourages underclassmen just starting out in cross country to trust the process鈥搃t will reward them in the end.
鈥淒on鈥檛 let the thought of cross country stop you from doing it鈥� Turner says. 鈥淚t is definitely a difficult sport, but the memories and friendships are so worth it, and it is the most rewarding thing I do.鈥�
As her cross country season comes to a close, basketball is just beginning, and softball season is right around the corner. Ava is determined to make the most of her final seasons with a Fort Loramie jersey on her back.
鈥淓veryday, I am doing one of my lasts, so just cherishing the moment and not wishing time away is something I have really been focusing on this year,鈥� she tells us.
With an already impressive track record, we can鈥檛 wait to see what Ava accomplishes in the reminder of her senior year and beyond.
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