Ava Thurston is entering her second year on the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. Hailing from Vermont, Ava is a 3x Junior National champion, 8x Vermont State champion, and an athlete on the U.S. Junior World Championships team. Outside of skiing and training, she enjoys hiking, reading, and studying at Dartmouth University. 

At the 2024 Junior World Championships, Ava placed seventh in the 20k skate and was part of the relay team that finished fourth in the 4x5k mixed-team relay, just off the podium.