Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava Kozicky

Ava Kozicky is a sophomore on the Sarasota High girls lacrosse team. Kozicky scored her 100th varsity goal March 10 against Tampa Catholic. Kozicky has 50 goals on the season, which ranks seventh in Florida. 

When did you start playing lacrosse?

I started in the summer before seventh grade. I did gymnastics for a long time before that, but I got injured and my parents made me quit it. (Laughs.) So I switched to lacrosse, and also volleyball. Some of my best friends played lacrosse on a small recreational team, so I tried it to play with them. 

What is the appeal to you?

I just love being athletic. I'm always willing to go out and do something. I hate sitting around the house. For this Sarasota team, it's a great group. I have a lot of friends on the team. I love being part of a school sport. I love the atmosphere. But I also play club lacrosse for True Lacrosse, and that's a different atmosphere, but I love that too. 

What is your best skill?

On this team, I think it's my leadership and my lacrosse IQ, which means knowing when to pass and when to do certain moves and when to shoot. 

What have you been working to improve?

Just my shooting and my passing overall. I want less drops (on my passes) and less misses. 

What is your favorite memory?

My club team won its first tournament in 2021. When I first joined, we had a rough season. The next year we got some good girls and we played better and we won an event in Tampa. Since it was our first one, it has to be that. 

What are your goals?

Since I hit 100 goals, I want to hit 300 points by the end of my senior year. That's a long-term goal. Other than that, just for us to keep winning more and keep playing better. 

What is your favorite food?

I love a steak cooked medium rare. 

What is your favorite TV show?

It's pretty basic, but I like both "Outer Banks" and "The 100" a lot. 

What is your favorite subject?

Math is my strongest subject, but I also like weightlifting. I have a lot of friends in that class and it is fun to work out with them. 

Which superpower would you pick?

I would pick invisibility so I could sneak around and spy on people.

What is the best advice you have received?

My dad (Alan Kozicky) gives good advice. He always says that if you don't put the work in, the work's not going to happen. You're not going to get better if you just sit around and wait for it to happen. 

Finish this sentence: "Ava Kozicky is …"

Passionate. I'm eager to get things done.