Gymnastics has pretty much been a part of Oak Park and River Forest High School freshman Ava Kuenster’s entire life.
She started at age 2 at Tri-Star Gymnastics Club, where longtime OPRF head coach Kris Wright also coaches.
Wendy (Barg) Kuenster, Ava’s mother, not only was a gymnast for the Huskies but has been Wright’s longtime assistant coach.
“I don’t think I’d be where I am without her. She’s always very positive. I can get down on myself sometimes so it really helps,” Ava said.
“I really just want to do well for myself. I have expectations for myself. I want to get the scores that I want to. I’ve been trying really hard so I hope it pays off.”
Kuenster’s first high school season continues to be memorable. She joined seniors Maisie Hoerster, Alexis Henderson and Claire Garnett as individual qualifiers at the Oswego Sectional Wednesday night after their performances at the Hinsdale Central Regional Feb. 2.
The four advanced automatically with top five regional finishes or at-large by being among the top 12 scores for remaining individuals among the four feed-in regionals. The Huskies finished third (132.25) and did not advance at-large as a team.
Kuenster advanced in all-around and all four events.
“I really wanted to make it past regional and I did that so I’m really happy,” Kuenster said. “I was very nervous. I was scared for my (uneven parallel bars) routine because I competed a new routine but it ended up well.”
Kuenster was second in all-around (35.025), tied for third on floor exercise (8.95) and was fourth on balance beam (9.0), her third 9 on the event this season.
Kuenster and Hoerster knew at least they were going to sectionals together after they shared fifth on vault (8.7).
“I’m so excited, super grateful that my season’s still going,” said Hoerster, also a 2025 sectional qualifier.
“I have always seen Ava around the gym because we both competed at Tri-Star for a good amount of our lives but I’ve never been on the same team. It’s super fun to get to be on a team with her finally. Especially since it’s one year, it’s very special.”
Advancing at-large were Kuenster on uneven bars (8.375), Hoerster on floor (8.45) and all-around (32.35),
Henderson on vault (8.575) and Claire Garnett (8.175 on uneven bars).
Seniors Teagan Lucas and Taylor Mathias-Edwards and sophomore Reese Hardy also competed at regionals. Lucas (8.0 on uneven bars) just missed that event’s 8.05 at-large cut.
Kuenster has an older sister and two older brothers who also tried gymnastics but found other interests. She considered playing volleyball in the fall but instead continued pre-season gymnastics training at Tri-Star.
“This has kind of been her No. 1 sport. She’s done quite a few other sports but this is the one that’s she’s always wanted to focus on,” Wendy Kuenster said.
“It’s been really fun coaching Ava. I’ve been watching her for many years but to see her put in the work and see it pay off in the meets has been a really neat experience. I’m also glad that she’s respectful to me as a coach.”
Henderson competed at regionals as a sophomore but was injured last season. Hoerster was injured her sophomore season.
“I just want to have fun (at sectionals),” Ava Kuenster said. “I’m not really expecting to make it to state. I just want to be doing what I’ve been doing and score well.”
