Ava Gilliana

Photo by: Eric Mason, UCCS Athletics

Photo by: Josh Armstrong

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Valparaiso, Ind.
Squadron:
09 Vikings
High School:
Valparaiso

AIR FORCE HIGHLIGHTS

NCAA Qualifier, 800-Meter Run (2023)

JUNIOR YEAR | 2022: Raced in three meets…Falcons’ top finisher at the UCCS Open…placed ninth out of 94 runners after clocking a career-best 6K time of 22:30.9…member of the scoring lineup that won the Trojan Invitational…posted a 5K time of 18:40.20 to finish 10th out of 79 runners at that meet…opened the season with a three-mile time of 19:18 at the Air Force Classic.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2021: Competed in two meets…made collegiate debut at the Air Force Open…earned a top-20 finish at the UCCS Open, clocking a 6K time of 25:20.6 to finish 19th out of 66 runners.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2020: Did not compete during the pandemic-shortened season.

MAJOR TRACK AND FIELD HIGHLIGHTS: Qualified to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 800-meter run…accounted for the fourth-fastest outdoor time in program history during a 2:06.94 finish at the 2023 Mountain West Outdoor Championships.

HIGH SCHOOL: Valparaiso High School...finished 15th at the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Cross Country Championships as a senior...named MVP of the Duneland Athletic Conference...captured a pair of top-three finishes in the mile at the IHSAA Indoor Championships (third in 2017, second in 2018)...named the conference’s Most Valuable Distance Runner twice...set school records in the 800-meter and 1600-meter events...clocked personal-best time of 4:52 in the mile and 2:15 in the 800-meter run.

PERSONAL: Full name is Ava Elle Gilliana...daughter of Jason and Lori Gilliana...has four siblings (one older, three younger)...majoring in business management…future plans include becoming a chief information security officer or weapons systems officer…named to the Athletic Director’s List...hobbies include baking, hiking, and writing...values faith, family and friends...member of Cadet Squadron 09.