Despite the demanding time management required, Two Harbors senior Ava Oswald-Swenson—who competes in swimming, track, and Nordic skiing—has found that athletics and academics complement each other.
“Sports, for me, they clear my head and actually help me think,” she explained. “I’m able to do my homework better. It’s time management, then just enjoying your sport.”
She must be onto something. As co-captain of the swim team, Oswald-Swenson was recently recognized as an Academic All-American for her achievements in both the sport and the classroom.
Heather Mayfield, head coach of the Agates High School swim team, shared in an email that over 353,936 students participate in high school aquatics, yet only 2% earn All-American recognition.
Oswald-Swenson joined the team as a freshman when her family moved to Two Harbors from Rochester. Having experienced two different programs, she said the Agates swim team holds special significance for her in more ways than one.
Finding her previous team “very disconnected,” Oswald-Swenson recalled that she didn’t feel the same sense of community she found with the Two Harbors team.
I moved here, and it was a bit smaller, but we just talked all the time—not just during swimming, but afterwards,” she shared. “We have a group chat, and we have so much fun. And then the bus rides! We’re a little crazy, but it’s so much fun.”
Having followed the swim team for a couple of years now, I can attest that they are a tight-knit group that truly knows how to have fun. A perfect example is their annual pumpkin meet— swimming with pumpkins is more challenging than it looks, but the team always seems to have a blast.
Last month, Oswald-Swenson earned another prestigious honor, being named the District 26 Triple A Award recipient. She was recognized at Amsoil Arena during the boys’ 7A hockey championship game.
“I wasn’t quite expecting that one,” she said of the award. “I had applied for it actually last year. I got the ExCEL award for our school but not regionals. But this year, when I applied for the Triple A, I wasn’t expecting it because I just knew there were a lot of great people applying.”
The Academics, Arts, and Athletes (Triple A) Award recognizes Minnesota high school seniors who maintain a 3.0 GPA while actively participating in all three areas.
Oswald-Swenson goes well beyond that requirement. She is the president of the World Culture Club, which presented a unique opportunity this year.
“We actually had Kyrgyzstan students, they were in the area and we had them come in and give a speech. Then they made food for us and that was amazing,” she said.
She is also a member of the Prom Committee, International Travel Club (which gave her the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica two years ago), National Honor Society, Gardening Club, Yearbook, and the Environmental Club.
None of these activities seem to interfere with her schoolwork. Oswald-Swenson has earned 41 college credits as a high school student and will be heading to Northern Michigan University next year. She plans to major in microbiology and hopes to become a Doctor of Medicine.
She’s already gained some experience in the medical field, having interned at Lake View Hospital while earning school credit. There, she was able to shadow medical professionals and assist them, which she found to be a rewarding experience.
“I really want to help people,” Oswald-Swenson, whose stepdad is a doctor and her mother a nurse, said. “It’s just called to me, ever since I was young. Then I got the great opportunity of doing the student internship through the school.”
With a bright future ahead of her, Oswald-Swenson hopes that her achievements can inspire future generations to “take advantage of all the great opportunities we have in our community.”
A big congratulations to Ava for your recent recognitions! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to both academics and athletics are truly inspiring.
