Ava Marie Ziegler Cheer Thread: Leveling Up

[Wyliefan]

Win a GP and get a 4CC small medal, and you get a cheer thread! Congratulations to Ava on a great season! Here's hoping for more strong skating and more rewards going forward (and for healing of all injuries ? ).

Thread title comes from this article by Nick McCarvel.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

This season she has come leaps and bounds, this coaching change seems to have worked for her. I still would’ve had her on the podium at four continents.

?

 

[Baby Yoda On Skates]

Ziegler definitely has had a break out season and I hope she keeps the momentum going for next season!

 

[olympic]

The girl is on fire! Anything she can do to increase her scoring potential??

 

[zebobes]

The girl is on fire! Anything she can do to increase her scoring potential??

With the current technical rules, she's pretty much maxed out unless she learns a 3A or quad. I think stamina and artistry are the main things, because with more stamina, she can move some combinations to the second half, and currently her artistry is not really there yet.

 

[DreamSkates]

With the current technical rules, she's pretty much maxed out unless she learns a 3A or quad. I think stamina and artistry are the main things, because with more stamina, she can move some combinations to the second half, and currently her artistry is not really there yet.

Does she have a triple-triple?

 

[maureenfarone]

Does she have a triple-triple?

Ava did a 3Z/3T with a ! on the 3lutz in the SP. She didn't do a 3/3 in the FS. I don't know how stable that 3Z/3T is but she has changed coaches so maybe it will improve.

 

[DreamSkates]

Ava did a 3Z/3T with a ! on the 3lutz in the SP. She didn't do a 3/3 in the FS. I don't know how stable that 3Z/3T is but she has changed coaches so maybe it will improve.

Thanks. I hope so. I think she needs it.

 

[Wyliefan]

(Cross-posted from the U.S. Women's thread)
Ava Marie Ziegler sighting! She competed today at the Middle Atlantic Championships and is in first with 57.97 after the short program. Video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOPchbCjL_7/

ETA: Scores and protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/36181/CAT005SEG009.html

 

[skatfan]

And she’s scheduled for a challenger competition too, isn’t she?

 

[Wyliefan]

And she’s scheduled for a challenger competition too, isn’t she?

Yes, Nepela.

She skates the free program at Middle Atlantic this evening, but the guy who took the fancam says he won't be there, so we may not get video. I'll keep an eye out, though.

 

[Wyliefan]

(Cross-posted from the U.S. Women's thread)
Looks like Ava had a rough free program at Middle Atlantics but hung on to win. Scores and protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/36181/CAT005SEG010.html

 

[olympic]

^Probably rusty for being out of competition for so long (?)

 

[nylynnr]

Ziegler’s love of skating drives competitive comeback – Lutz Watch

lutzwatch.com

Here's an interview with Ava Ziegler following the Mid Atlantic Championship. I was glad to hear she is skating without pain.

 

[Wyliefan]

Great find, thanks! How wonderful to hear that she's skating without pain!

 

[Sylvia]

Bumping this thread back up (I just posted this podcast episode in the "Athlete Mental Health..." thread in GSD and remembered she has a fan thread here) ... in the podcast episode below, Ava talks about why she decided to retire while she was at 2025 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb - this was her post on January 8, 2026 when she withdrew from Nationals:

Ava Ziegler on Instagram: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the do

4,765 likes, 158 comments - _avaziegler on January 8, 2026: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who...

www.instagram.com

Fast forward 7+ months...

Mind Over is "A Mental Health podcast created for and by teenagers with Athletes, Artists and Creators. Real stories. Real conversations."

Mind Over Pain - Ava Marie Ziegler Ep.3 (August 15, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxwMZqLW4bY

Ava Ziegler laced up her first pair of skates at 15 months old and by 17 was an NHK Trophy champion, rising from fifth to first in one of the fastest grand prix comebacks in US figure skating history. But behind the medals was a six-year battle with a hip injury that led to two surgeries — one just days before she would have needed a full hip replacement.
In this episode, Ava opens up about training through pain nobody believed was real, the two-second rule for getting back up after falling mid-program, and the moment in Croatia when she realized she was done — retiring at 19, weeks before what would have been her Olympic season. She talks candidly about faith, working with a sports psychologist since age 15, and what it really means to walk away on your own terms.
A conversation about discipline, identity, and redefining what winning looks like when the crowd goes quiet.

ETA 3 clips via the podcast's Instagram account:

Mind Over on Instagram: "In Episode 3 of Mind Over, Ava Ziegler @_avaziegler the US ice skating Champion talks about the importance of enjoying every moment in your athletic journey, as it can end unexpectedly. Full Episode on YouTube, Apple Podcas

34 likes, 0 comments - _mindover on August 15, 2026: "In Episode 3 of Mind Over, Ava Ziegler @_avaziegler the US ice skating Champion talks about the importance of enjoying every moment in your athletic journey, as it can end unexpectedly. Full Episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify ➡️...

www.instagram.com

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcExoQKIy64/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcFBNMUoVWj/