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Marion Local senior Ava Ranly, seated center, will attend Northern Kentucky University and compete for the Norse in track and field. Seated with Ava are parents Jesse and Sandy Ranly. Standing from left are Marion Local track coaches Katherine Dirksen and Kyle Grabowski, Nick Ranly, Reid Ranly, Max Ranly and coaches Nick Tangeman and Danni Otte.
Ava Ranly found the perfect college: one that will allow her to prepare for her career and give her a chance to continue to compete.
The Marion Local senior will attend Northern Kentucky University next year and compete on its track and field team, giving the NCAA Division I Norse a talented high jumper and relay specialist.
"Their jumps coach (Paul Longano) reached out to me and we chatted a bit," said Ranly. "We got our first visit and went in July. I really liked it. I like how he coached and how he talked to me. He seemed interested. Last week we went our official visit, went to a practice, met with some of the team and got to know people."
The main selling point was Northern Kentucky, located just south of Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, was the program that Ranly is focusing her future on.
"I'm going to major in graphic design. They have the best design program in Kentucky," said Ranly. "That was a plus.
"My dad is a graphic designer, who I've always been interested in what he does and watched him. Last year I started in the graphic design program at Tri-Star. I have been enjoying it. I like to design on my own."
The Norse compete in the Horizon League, finishing fourth at the indoor championships in February and then taking fifth at the outdoor championships in May. Norse junior Julia Pohl was second in the league meet high jump at 5-5 1/4 last spring.
Ranly has been sharp in the high jump for the Flyers, earning All-MAC honors her first three seasons. After finishing eighth as a freshman, Ranly was third in 2023 and ended up 11th at the Division III state meet.
Last season, Ranly rose to the top of the MAC podium with a winning height of 5-4, but just missed on making it to state for a second straight season, finishing sixth at regional. Ranly also competes for the Flyers in sprint relays.
"I've been working on my strength," said Ranly. "I've been in the weight run since the end of June. For my high-jumping, I really want to perfect my approach and make it smooth so I don't have to change a whole bunch of stuff."
