Ava Thurston is entering her first 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 was an athlete on the Junior Worlds team. Outside of skiing and training, she fills her time with hiking, reading, studying at Dartmouth University and can even ride a unicycle. 

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