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Ridgefield Aquatic Club’s Ava Ward will head south to join the LSU Tigers in the fall of 2026.
I am proud to announce my verbal commitment to pursue my academic and athletic career at Louisiana State University! I would like to thank my coaches Emmanuel, Ronnie, Paul, and Colleen for their unwavering support. I would also like to thank my parents, my sisters, and my grandparents for always believing in me. Thank you Coach Leah, Coach Brogan, and the entire LSU coaching staff for this incredible opportunity. Geaux Tigers!!💜💛🐅
Ward is a three-time Connecticut high school (CIAC) state champion, most recently capturing two wins in 2024, in both the 200 free (1:49.37) and 500 free (4:59.52). Her first state title came the year prior, where she captured the 200 free title, touching in 1:51.12.
In December, Ward competed at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships – East, where she set a lifetime best in the 500 free, finishing 65th in a time of 4:57.95.
One of the best performances of her career came at the Connecticut Senior Championships earlier this March. She set new personal best marks in the 100 free (50.51), 200 free (1:49.22), and 1000 free (10:22.52).
Best Times SCY:
- 100 Free: 50.51
- 200 Free: 1:49.22
- 500 Free: 4:57.95
- 1000 Free: 10:22.52
The LSU women finished 7th at the 2025 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.
Based on Ward’s best times, she would have finished 48th in the 200 free, 56th in the 100 free, and 56th in the 500 free.
Ward trains with the Ridgefield Aquatic Club, the home club of U.S. Olympian Kieran Smith. Other notable alumni include Marcie McGuire (went on to swim at Virginia), Xavier Ruiz (North Carolina), and Lily Archibald (who will be making her NCAA debut this season for Rice).
Ward joins Sophie Benn, Ieva Visockaite, and Dara Duffy as a part of the Tigers’ class of 2030.
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Hope she reads the previous article about the bullying by the coaches!
And that Stancil is now gone