St. Joseph's Academy
Sponsored by Ochsner
Earning a varsity letter at your high school is a big accomplishment. Doing it in two sports is even more impressive. But finishing your prep career as a three-sport athlete all while maintaining a strong GPA and earning a spot on a college team? That’s reserved for the select few, like Ava Riche.
The St. Joseph’s Academy star lettered in track and field, gymnastics and basketball all four years in high school, landing a slew of awards and accolades in the process.
“I’m most proud of being able to handle doing all three sports as well as doing school and keeping my GPA up,” Riche says. “It got harder sometimes, but I’m proud of myself for not giving up. And (with) all my coaches and all my friends, I had a good support system.”
Riche was impactful in all three sports, but she really made her mark on the track, competing in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault. She was part of multiple state title-winning teams, featured on numerous All-State and All-Metro teams, and even set a school record with 236 overall meet points in the 2021 season.
Her worked earned her a spot on Texas A&M’s track and field team, where she’ll look to keep riding that wave of success in the SEC.
“(Texas A&M’s) head coach was very nice and very passionate about his team—making sure everything is done as a team,” Riche says. “It’s not just one individual that wins. Everyone works together, and that really stuck out to me. I’m also excited to move away from Baton Rouge since I’ve lived here all my life. I think it will be fun to get out and have a new adventure.”
Read more Rising Stars profiles here.
