At Bethel High School, senior Ava Gascon has built a reputation as an intense competitor, a dependable leader, and an athlete who plays with purpose in everything she does. As a two-sport standout, roaming the outfield for the Lady Wildcats softball team and commanding the floor as a point guard in basketball, Gascon has embraced a standard of excellence that she credits to the people who have guided her since she first picked up a ball.
A fierce desire to win fuels everything for Ava. She describes herself as someone who hates losing, not just for her own sake but for the teammates she works beside every day. “I want to win for my teammates and me, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” she says. That competitive fire is shaped by her biggest influences, her parents and her coaches, who have always held her to a high standard. From them, she’s learned discipline, hard work, and what true leadership looks like.
One person who has made a major impact on her journey is her favorite teacher, Charity Kilinc. Ava says Kilinc is not only a great coach, but an even better person, someone who has helped her grow as a player, leader, and individual beyond the court.
For Ava, success in athletics comes down to determination, a strong mindset, and mental toughness. She believes great athletes not only work hard but also learn how to encourage the people around them. That mindset helped lead her to some of her proudest career moments: reaching the state semifinals as a freshman and returning to the state tournament her sophomore year after winning five straight elimination games.
Whether in practice or competition, Ava values every teammate. She loves the way they push each other to improve every day. Off the court and field, she stays involved through the National Honor Society, helping with the special needs PE class, and serving as a greeter at LifeChurch.
Balancing sports and academics takes discipline, but Ava tackles her responsibilities head-on, avoiding procrastination and staying focused. And every time she puts on a Bethel jersey, she feels a special sense of pride, especially knowing she is following in the footsteps of her mother, who once represented Bethel in basketball and softball as well.
