Ava Pfaff is a freshman on the Denver Pioneers triathlon team and her success racing this past summer has followed her to the collegiate level this fall.
 
The West Grove, Pennsylvania, native placed second in the season-opening Southern Hills Triathlon super sprint and helped DU to a second place finish in the meet on Aug. 31.
 
Praff won the USA Triathlon Age Group (15-19) Sprint National Championship in August 2023, one year after finishing second in the same race. At this past summer's U.S. Nationals, Pfaff helped Team Stars & Stripes Racing to the Mixed Team Relay title.
 
On the international scene, Pfaff finished runner-up in the Age Group 16-19 Individual Sprint at the World Championships on July 14, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany, and helped Team USA win the Age Group 15-19 Mixed Team Relay of Worlds two days later. Pfaff made her junior elite debut and placed 10th at the Americas Triathlon Championships in Miami on March 8, 2024.
 
If there is a sport, Pfaff has likely tried it while growing, but the variety of difficulty that triathlon offers has made it her passion since first racing at age 6.
 
Why did you choose DU?
 
"I chose the University of Denver because of the environment. The campus is breathtaking with proximity to various off-campus training sights. Coaches Barbara Perkins, Jax Heil and Scott Batula and the team are so welcoming, and I felt immediately part of the DU family."
 
Why Triathlon?
 
"Growing up, I did just about every sport under the sun. No single sport stuck because I would become bored and burned out after a few years. In the sport of triathlon, having the opportunity to train in three sports keeps me physically and mentally busy."
 
How did you get involved in Triathlon?
 
"I began racing in local triathlons at the age of 6. My dad raced when I was younger and encouraged me and my sisters to become involved in triathlons. While my sisters ended up choosing one of the sports, the excitement of competing in three at once sparked my triathlon career. I raced locally from ages 6-10, taking a break to try out other sports before coming back to triathlon. Once I discovered my love of triathlon, I joined Yoder Performance. My coach back home, Andrew Yoder, has patiently worked with me for more than two years, helping me train to my fullest potential."
 
What is your plans for the future?
 
"I want to pursue a career in real estate, which will also allow me to professionally train for and compete in triathlons."
 
Where is your favorite training area?
 
"My favorite place to train is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with my team back home. We start our rides early to watch the sunrise and observe the Amish begin to work in their fields for the day."
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Colorado?
 
"I love to hike at Red Rocks, run in Golden and explore Lookout Mountain."
 
What kind of music do you like?
 
"I like pop, R&B and country music."
 
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
 
"'Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way.' – Michael Scott."
 
What are some of your favorite TV shows?
 
"Suits, New Girl, Outer Banks and Selling Sunset."
 
What is your favorite sport to watch?
           
"Football."
 
Do you have a pre-race routine?
 
"For breakfast before a race, I always have a waffle with peanut butter, banana and orange juice. Fifteen minutes before the race starts, I take a GU gel and sip on electrolytes."
 
What other sports have you participated in as a kid?
 
"Lacrosse, gymnastics, cross country and track, swimming, soccer, horseback riding and wakeboarding."
 
What is something that other people might not know about you?
 
"I am an accomplished equestrian, and I have been riding horses since the age of 2."