The Georgia Call-Up: Northwest Whitfield's Ava Buerkle

This week, the Georgia Call-Up takes us to Northwest Whitfield High School, where senior Ava Buerkle is making her mark both in the classroom and on the field. A disciplined student-athlete and honors graduate with a 3.7 GPA, Ava balances her academic success with active involvement in Beta Club, Key Club, and Diversity Club.

On the pitch, she’s been just as impactful. She has started all nine matches for the Lady Bruins this season and has tallied six goals, including a standout hat trick.

Named as the SDH Network's latest Georgia Call-Up, Ava embodies exactly what the recognition is all about. We caught up with Ava and head coach Daniel Frausto to learn more about the player behind the production and the person behind the player.

Ava Buerkle Q&A:

Q: Who is a player you model your game after and why? 

A: I model my game after my older sister, who plays soccer in college; She makes me want to be the best. Although she had a health scare last year and did not participate in playing the game much, she still showed up and supported. She demonstrated what being a teammate truly means and portrayed sportsmanship even from the sidelines. When I play, I try to play like her by being uplifting and supportive to my teammates, all while still showing sportsmanship to the other team.

Q: Who inspires you the most and why?

A: My mom inspires me the most because she has been the true definition of resilience my entire life. She may not bounce back quickly from certain things, but she does overcome them: emotions, stress, and life-changing events. Shifting the way I walk throughout the day. 

Q: What’s one thing people don’t realize about your sport?

A: When most people think of soccer, they believe the one objective is to get the ball in the back of the net, and they are not wrong, but there is so much more. They don’t realize that the relationships you build within your team are the most important thing overall. Without having a connection with your teammates, it would be a one-person show and in the game of soccer, that’s not the easiest thing to do. The connections we build on and off the field are what makes us better. 

Q: Earliest soccer memory? 

A: Around 4 or 5 years old, I played for a little indoor soccer team, which is where I learned it’s not all about winning. We had goals, but we didn’t know whose was whose. We looked like a bunch of dogs chasing the ball, which led to a bunch of own goals. We didn’t know which positions we’d be playing or how to play. At that age, we became best friends with the other team very quickly. The score never mattered, and everyone always won a participation award. I remember this being the moment when I realized my participation mattered; even if we lost the game, showing up was what truly counted.

Q: How would your teammates describe you?

A: My teammates act as if they are my biggest supporters, and it feels like it too. They are there to help build me up when I need a little encouragement and to celebrate alongside me. They speak up and let me know how I can be better, and they’re always there to talk to me. My teammates may have started as strangers, but they are so much more than that now. They’re friends I never asked for.

Q: How has balancing being a student-athlete been?

A: While being a student athlete comes with its own set of challenges, finding a way to navigate them isn’t as hard as it seems. Sports and school are the main things that take up my day. It’s important for me not to let my grades slip because I got distracted. I try my best to stay focused in class and complete my homework while at school, to open my free time after school, and keep myself stress-free. Allowing time for sports to be my main focus, too.

Q: Favorite memory with your teammates? 

A: My favorite memories with my teammates are all the times we have goofed off in the locker room. From watching people get stuck on the lockers to some interesting conversations, we have formed friendships and laughed harder than ever.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: In five years, I envision myself completing my college education and experiencing the independence of living alone for the first time in Florida. I anticipate working during the day and enjoying the beauty of sunsets on the beach in the evenings.

Northwest Whitfield Girl's Head Coach Daniel Frausto Q&A:

Q: How would you describe Ava in one word?

A: One word to describe Ava is determined.

Q: What has it been like to watch her develop as a player and a person during your time?

A: It has been incredibly rewarding watching Ava grow to the player she is. Seeing her hard work, resilience, and confidence build in the short time I have been here makes her progress even more meaningful.

Q: How would you describe Ava as a player?

A: Ava is an incredible player. She never gives up and gives 110% towards everything. She will always go the extra mile to make sure she does not let anyone down. She is always the first and last one off the field.

Q: What does their work ethic look like when no one’s watching?

A: She consistently gives her best effort, stays disciplined, and continues to work on improving simply because they care about getting better and helping the team.

Q: What makes them unique beyond the stats?

A: Her determination and the way she lifts up the players around her. Her attitude, resilience, and commitment to the team make an impact that numbers can’t fully capture. Everyone looks up to her and look to her as one of the leaders on this team.

Q: What do people outside the program maybe not see about them?

A: People outside the program don’t always see the effort in practice, the leadership with her teammates, and the determination she shows everyday to keep pushing the team forward. 

The Northwest Whitfield Lady Bruins are back in action Tuesday, March 24 when they host Gilmer in a conference match-up at 5:30 p.m.

About the Georgia Call-Up

The Georgia Call-Up, in partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Authority, is our statewide initiative spotlighting high school players that college coaches should know. If there’s a student-athlete who deserves to be seen, we want to hear about them.

Send submissions to soccerdownhere@gmail.com or DM us @soccerdownhere and for educational resources from GAfutures, visit https://www.gafutures.org/

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