For Rootstown senior Ava Miller, a sport she picked up on a whim has turned into a milestone moment — and a first in school history.
Miller will continue her golf career and education at Malone University, becoming the first girls’ golf team member from Rootstown to earn the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. She plans to major in zoology, pairing her love for the game with a longtime passion for animals.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue my golf career,” Miller said. “I am excited to continue working on my game, see new courses, and make new friends through the sport I’ve come to love over the last four years.”
That journey began only a few seasons ago. Miller didn’t pick up a club until the summer before her freshman year, when Rootstown launched its first girls’ golf team.
“I had never picked up a club before, but that was the first year Rootstown had a girls’ golf team, and I had some friends interested, so I decided to give it a try,” she said. “After my first season, I decided I really liked it and wanted to keep playing.”
Her growth since then has been dramatic. After averaging 64 over nine holes as a freshman, Miller cut 20 strokes off that number by her senior year, finishing with a nine-hole average of 44 and a personal best of 39. Over 18 holes, she averaged 94 with a low round of 86.
“I spent a lot of time in the offseasons getting swing lessons and working on my game as much as I could to continue to develop throughout my high school career,” she said.
That work ethic paid off with a decorated résumé. Miller earned two first-team all-conference honors — one in the Chagrin Valley Conference and one in the Portage Trail Conference — along with a second-team all-conference selection. She was also named Varsity MVP three times and earned two second-team all-district awards.
One of her biggest strengths, she says, isn’t tied to a specific club.
“The best part of my game is probably my ability to not let my bad shots and bad holes get in my head,” Miller said. “I have gotten very good at not letting my frustration show and am able to move on to the next shot or hole.”
She’s also self-aware about where she’s still growing.
“The part of my game that needs the most development would be my long irons,” she said. “When I struggle with them, I go to my swing coach or spend a lot of time on the driving range until my confidence with my long irons comes back.”
Malone stood out not only for golf but for what it offers beyond the course.
“I was drawn to Malone because the environment felt so welcoming, especially from the women’s golf program,” Miller said. “Along with that, the Zoo and Wildlife Biology program felt unique to me since they have an on-campus Zoo where students can learn hands-on with different animals.”
That hands-on approach fits perfectly with her academic goals. Miller is currently interning at a veterinary clinic and hopes to explore multiple paths during college.
“I am really excited to major in Zoology because I’ve always had a passion for animals,” she said. “I hope to get opportunities throughout my education at Malone to see different career paths. I also hope to one day work in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.”
From first-time golfer to trailblazer for her program, Miller’s path has been anything but ordinary — and now, it’s leading her to the next tee box.
