Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale

Ava DiPasquale is a 12-year-old swimmer with the Sarasota Tsunami. DiPasquale won the 100-meter butterfly (1:07.44), the 200-meter butterfly (2:31.76), the 200-meter backstroke (2:34.48), the 200-meter individual medley (2:26.96) and the 400-meter freestyle (4:37.77) at the Florida Summer Age Groups Championships, or FLAGS, held July 11-14 in Ocala. According to Tsunami Head Coach Ira Klein, DiPasquale's 200 IM time is the second-fastest in the country this year for her age group, while her 400 freestyle is third, her 100 butterfly is sixth and her 200 butterfly is eighth.

DiPasquale also helped the Tsunami's 200-meter freestyle relay team (1:55.82), 400-meter freestyle relay team (4:17.19), 200-meter medley relay team (2:11.46) and 400-meter medley relay team (4:48.89) to first-place finishes. All four relay times were Tsunami records. 

When did you start swimming?

I started when I was 9, so about three and a half years ago. I did ballet before but that was basically it. I started swimming because it was COVID-19 time and I needed something to do. I liked it right away. 

What is the appeal to you?

It's just a good thing to do. Whenever I go to school or wherever and I have a bad day, I can always go to practice. I always feel better after that. 

What is your favorite event to swim?

I like the 200 and 400 individual medley. They give me the opportunity to swim all of the strokes. When I get to one that I'm good at, I can catch up and win. 

What have you been working to improve?

I am trying to improve my freestyle. I want to get better at it for the longer events while still staying good at the shorter events. I think it's important to try to be good at everything. 

What is your favorite swimming memory?

It was at FLAGS, just watching my relay teams wins. We won all four of them. It was fun to be part of that. I was excited but also proud of my teammates. We have worked hard and to see that pay off was cool. 

What are your next goals?

In the 200 IM, I would like to go under 2:25 and make the 2024 Futures Championship cut. I also want to make the cut in the 800 freestyle and go under 9:30.

What is your favorite food?

Sushi. I like it from anywhere. 

What is your favorite TV show?

I like to watch "The Office." 

What is your favorite school subject?

Agriculture. You get to see animals and learn how to grow things. 

What are your hobbies?

I like to hang out with my friends and go to the beach. i like to try new places, too, like mini-golf courses.

What is the best advice you have received?

I saw this on the back of someone's swim shirt: One day, or day one. You can either start working toward your goals later or you can start now. 

Finish this sentence: "Ava DiPasquale is …"

Determined. If I have a goal I will set my mind to it.