{{Short description|American figure skater (born 2006)}} {{infobox figure skater | name = Ava Marie Ziegler | image = | caption = | native_name = | fullname = Ava Marie Ziegler | country = {{USA}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2006|02|28|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Morristown, New Jersey, United States | hometown = Dover, New Jersey | height = | coach = Oleg Makarov<br>Larisa Selezneva | skating club = Skating Club of New York | beganskating = | retired = January 8, 2026 | discipline = Women's singles }} '''Ava Marie Ziegler''' (born February 28, 2006) is a retired American figure skater. She is the 2023 NHK Trophy champion and 2022 Budapest Trophy champion.
At the junior level, she is the 2021 U.S. junior pewter medalist and 2022 U.S. junior silver medalist.
== Personal life == Ziegler was born on February 28, 2006, in Morristown, New Jersey, to parents Ron and Patricia (Mansfield). Her mother is a former competitive figure skater, who finished fifth at the 1995 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, as well as a figure skating coach.<ref name=USFS211227/> She has a younger brother, Ronny. She is a resident of Dover, New Jersey.<ref name=DR190112/>
Ziegler has a Shepherd-Rottweiler named Duke and a rabbit named Cocoa.<ref name=USFSFZ-AZ/>
== Career == === Early career === As a juvenile, Ziegler won the pewter medal at the 2019 U.S. Championships.<ref name=USFSFZ-AZ/> On the junior level, she won the bronze medal at the 2021 U. S. Championship Series. She then went on to win the pewter medal at the 2021 U.S. Junior Championships behind Isabeau Levito, Kanon Smith, and Clare Seo.<ref name=USFSFZ-AZ/>
=== 2021–22 season: Junior international debut & U.S. junior national silver === Ziegler made her international junior debut by winning a gold medal at the 2021 Cranberry Cup. She was given two assignments on the 2021–22 Junior Grand Prix series, and placed sixth at the 2021 JGP Slovakia and seventh at the 2021 JGP Slovenia. She reflected afterward that she had made mistakes on the circuit that she attributed to adjusting to the higher level of competition, but added that "I loved being on the ice with people who were better than me because it pushes me to work harder."<ref name=USFS211227/>
At the 2022 U.S. Junior Championships, Ziegler won the silver medal, finishing behind Clare Seo.<ref name=USJR2022/>
=== 2022–23 season: Senior debut & Challenger Series gold === Debuting as a senior, Ziegler started her season with a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Philadelphia Summer International. She then made her Challenger series debut at the 2022 CS Budapest Trophy, which she won, scoring a new personal best free skate score in the process.<ref name=FSO230905/>
Ziegler was not initially given any assignments on the ISU Grand Prix, but following the withdrawal of fellow American skater Kate Wang from the 2022 Skate Canada International, she was called up to replace her.<ref name=FSO230905/> Ziegler placed third in the short program, earning a new personal best score, but dropped to fourth place overall after falling twice in the free skate and finishing seventh in the segment. Despite this, she set a new personal best in total score as well.<ref name=GS221029/> Ziegler then went on to compete at the U.S. Eastern Sectional Championships, where she won the gold medal.<ref name=USFSFZ-AZ/>
At the 2023 U.S. Championships, Ziegler finished ninth after placing eighth in the short program and tenth in the free skate. She closed her season by winning the bronze medal at the 2023 Coupe du Printemps.<ref name=ISU-AMZ/>
=== 2023–24 season: Grand Prix gold=== Ziegler began the season by winning the silver medal at the 2023 Cranberry Cup International, behind training mate Lindsay Thorngren.<ref name=AnythingGOEs/> She said afterward that she was "super happy with my skates" at the event, adding that there "are things that I can improve throughout the season, but the overall, the competition was successful."<ref name=FSO230905/> Appearing on the Challenger circuit at the 2023 CS Lombardia Trophy, she came sixth, before finishing fifth at the 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy.<ref name=ISU-AMZ/>
For the second consecutive season, Ziegler did not initially receive a Grand Prix assignment, but was invited to attend the 2023 NHK Trophy following the withdrawal of German skater Nicole Schott.<ref name=AnythingGOEs/> She placed fifth in the short program after receiving an incorrect edge call on her triple Lutz and an underrotation call on the back half of her jump combination, but won the free skate after landing seven triple jumps, the only error being another call on her Lutz edge.<ref name=GS231125/> Ziegler's free skate carried her into first place, overtaking Thorngren by less than two points for the gold medal. She set a new American women’s record for fewest appearances needed before winning a Grand Prix, having done so in her second appearance.<ref name=NBC231125/> She became the second American woman to win the NHK Trophy after Gracie Gold who won in 2014. Ziegler said of the result that "this is the moment I do this sport for!"<ref name=GS231125/>
In advance of the 2024 U.S. Championships, Ziegler was preemptively named to the American delegation to the 2024 Four Continents Championships, which were to be held in Shanghai the week after the national championships.<ref name=USFS240109/> Shortly afterward, Ziegler announced that she was withdrawing from the national championship in favour of focusing on preparations for the Four Continents Championships, saying in a statement that "this was a difficult decision, however her team believes it in her best interest with both major competitions so close together."<ref name=NBC240119/> She would later reveal that "some health issues" after NHK Trophy had necessitated the choice.<ref name=GS240202/>
At the Four Continents Championships, Ziegler came third in the short program, 1.03 points in front of Japan's Rinka Watanabe in fourth. Her only technical error was a call for an incorrect edge on her triple Lutz. She won a bronze small medal for the segment, and said she felt "really honored and enjoy being here." In the free skate both of her triple Lutzes received edge calls, and she put a foot down on the latter attempt, coming fourth in the free skate. She finished fourth overall, 1.02 points behind Watanabe, who overtook her for the bronze medal.<ref name=GS240202/>
=== 2024–25 season: Injury struggles === Ziegler was selected to compete at 2024 Skate Canada International and the 2024 Cup of China.<ref name=2425gp>{{cite web | url = https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2024-25/grand-prix-5/entries-9/33867-women-4/file | date = June 9, 2024 | title = ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2024/25 - Women | publisher = International Skating Union| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240611053441/https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2024-25/grand-prix-5/entries-9/33867-women-4/file | archive-date = 11 June 2024 }}</ref> In August, she was forced to withdraw in order to undergo surgery for a hip injury she had sustained during the previous season.<ref name=injurywd>{{cite tweet | user = goldenskate | date = August 5, 2024 | number = 1820508820344291457 | title = 2023 NHK Trophy champion and 2022 CS Budapest Trophy champion Ava Marie Ziegler 🇺🇸 has withdrawn from #GPFigure Skate Canada and Cup of China}}</ref><ref name=lw25/>
=== 2025–26 season: Return to competition, struggles, and retirement === Ziegler returned to competition in late September at the 2025 CS Nepela Memorial, where she finished in sixteenth place. She followed this up by placing tenth at the 2025 CS Trialeti Trophy.<ref name=SS-AMZ/>
In November, Ziegler competed at the 2026 Eastern Sectional Singles Final, placing second.<ref name=SS-AMZ/> As a result, Ziegler qualified for the 2026 U.S. Championships; however she subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=2026 U.S. Championships Practice Groups |url=https://usfigureskating.org/documents/2025/12/10/2026_U.S._Championships_Practice_Groups.pdf |website=U.S. Figure Skating |publisher=U.S. Figure Skating |access-date=3 January 2026}}</ref>
On January 8, she announced her retirement from competitive skating due to being unable to get back to the level she needed because of repeated injury.<ref name=ziegler>{{cite instagram | user = _avaziegler | postid = DTQSl6iDrlt | title = I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. | date = January 8, 2026}}</ref>
== Programs == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Season ! Short program ! Free skating ! Exhibition |- ! 2020–21 <br> <ref name=USFSFZ-AZ/> | * The Feeling Begins <br> {{small|by Peter Gabriel}} | * Never Enough <br> {{small|(from ''The Greatest Showman'') <br> by Loren Allred}} | |- ! 2021–22 <br> <ref name=ISU-2122/> | * I'll Take Care of You <br> {{small|performed by Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa <br> choreo. by Anna Zadorozhniuk }} | * Gravity <br> {{small|by Sara Bareilles <br> choreo. by Nikolai Morozov }} | |- ! 2022–23 <br> <ref name=ISU-2223/> | * Rebirth <br> {{small|by Hi-Finesse, feat. Natacha Atlas <br> choreo. by Anna Zadorozhniuk}} | * Love in the Dark <br> {{small|by Adele <br> choreo. by Nikolai Morozov}} | * Something's Got a Hold on Me * Lady Marmalade * Ain't No Other Man <br>{{small| by Christina Aguilera }} |- ! 2023–24 <br> <ref name=ISU-2324/> | * Jazz Man <br> {{small|by Beth Hart <br> choreo. by Jamie Isley }} | * Liberation * Bound to You <br> {{small| (from ''Burlesque'') <br> by Christina Aguilera <br> choreo. by Nikolai Morozov }} | * Not My Responsibility * Oxytocin <br> {{small| by Billie Eilish }} |- ! 2025–26 <br> <ref name=ISU-2526/><ref name=lw25/> | * It's a Man's Man's Man's World <br> {{small|by James Brown <br> performed by Raye <br> choreo. by Nikolai Morozov, Anna Zadorozhniuk, Jamie Isley }} | * Not About Angels * Strange Birds <br> {{small| by Birdy <br> choreo. by Nikolai Morozov, Anna Zadorozhniuk, Jamie Isley }} | |}
== Competitive highlights == {{smalldiv| *GP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series *JGP – Event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series *CS – Event of the ISU Challenger Series }} {{Figure skating competitive highlights |level=senior|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |season1=2022–23|season2=2023–24|season3=2025–26 |{{FS placements|3|Four Continents Championships|p2=4th}} |{{FS placements|3|U.S. Championships|p1=9th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|GP}} NHK Trophy|p2=1st}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|GP}} Skate Canada|p1=4th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|CS}} Budapest Trophy|p1=1st}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|CS}} Finlandia Trophy|p2=5th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{nowrap|{{small|CS}} Golden Spin of Zagreb}}|p3=11th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|CS}} Lombardia Trophy|p2=6th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|CS}} Nepela Memorial|p3=16th}} |{{FS placements|3|{{small|CS}} Trialeti Trophy|p3=10th}} |{{FS placements|3|Coupe du Printemps|p1=3rd}} |{{FS placements|3|Cranberry Cup|p2=2nd}} |{{FS placements|3|Philadelphia Summer|p1=4th}} |{{FS placements|3|Santa Claus Cup|p3=6th}} }} {{Figure skating competitive highlights |level=junior|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |season1=2020–21|season2=2021–22 |{{FS placements|2|U.S. Championships|p1=4th|pewter1=yes|p2=2nd}} |{{FS placements|2|{{small|JGP}} Slovakia|p2=6th}} |{{FS placements|2|{{small|JGP}} Slovenia|p2=7th}} |{{FS placements|2|Cranberry Cup|p2=1st}} }}
== Detailed results == {{Figure skating personal bests|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |201.19|{{nowrap|2024 Four Continents Championships}} |68.25|2024 Four Continents Championships |36.71|2024 Four Continents Championships |31.54|2024 Four Continents Championships |138.46|2023 NHK Trophy |74.97|2023 NHK Trophy |65.23|2024 Four Continents Championships }}
{{smalldiv| *Small medals for the short program and free skating are only awarded at ISU Championships. }}
=== Senior level === {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2022–23|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |Aug 3–7, 2022|{{nowrap|{{flagicon|USA}} 2022 Philadelphia Summer International}}|6|46.66|4|99.60|4|146.26 |Oct 13–16, 2022|{{flagicon|HUN}} 2022 CS Budapest Trophy|4|55.59|1|130.24|1|185.83 |Oct 28–30, 2022|{{flagicon|CAN}} 2022 Skate Canada International|3|66.49|7|120.27|4|186.76 |Jan 23–29, 2023|{{flagicon|USA}} 2023 U.S. Championships|8|61.09|10|106.61|9|167.70 |Mar 17–19, 2023|{{flagicon|LUX}} 2023 Coupe du Printemps|3|57.10|2|116.74|3|173.84 }} {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2023–24|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |Aug 9–13, 2023|{{flagicon|USA}} 2023 Cranberry Cup International|1|68.12|2|115.67|2|183.79 |Sep 8–10, 2023|{{flagicon|ITA}} 2023 CS Lombardia Trophy|5|60.26|10|97.13|6|157.39 |Oct 4–8, 2023|{{flagicon|FIN}} 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy|2|65.07|6|108.53|5|173.60 |Nov 24–26, 2023|{{flagicon|JPN}} 2023 NHK Trophy|5|62.04|1|138.46|1|200.50 |Jan 30 – Feb 4, 2024|{{flagicon|CHN}} 2024 Four Continents Championships|3|68.25|4|132.94|4|201.19|small5=yes }} {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2025–26|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |Sep 25–27, 2025|{{flagicon|SVK}} 2025 CS Nepela Memorial|10|55.80|18|84.47|16|140.27 |Oct 8–11, 2025|{{flagicon|GEO}} 2025 CS Trialeti Trophy|16|49.22|8|112.26|10|161.48 |Nov 26–30, 2025|{{flagicon|HUN}} 2025 Santa Claus Cup|6|49.73|5|96.18|6|145.91 |Dec 3–6, 2025|{{flagicon|CRO}} 2025 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb|12|51.83|13|99.15|11|150.98 }}
=== Junior level === {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2020–21|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}}|pewter1=yes |Jan 11–21, 2021|{{flagicon|USA}} 2021 U.S. Championships (Junior)|8|53.73|4|107.04|4|160.77 }} {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2021–22|ref={{r|SS-AMZ}} |Sep 1–4, 2021|{{flagicon|SVK}} 2021 JGP Slovakia|6|60.03|6|116.26|6|176.29 |Sep 22–25, 2021|{{flagicon|SLO}} 2021 JGP Slovenia|6|59.62|7|115.25|7|174.87 |Oct 11–15, 2021|{{flagicon|USA}} 2021 Cranberry Cup International|3|49.46|1|107.97|1|157.43 |Jan 3–9, 2022|{{flagicon|USA}} 2022 U.S. Championships (Junior)|4|60.24|3|115.26|2|175.50 }}
== References == {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} {{Reflist|refs
<ref name=USFSFZ-AZ>{{cite web|url=https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/sports/figure-skating/roster/ava-ziegler/714|title=2022–23 Figure Skating Roster: Ava Ziegler|publisher=U.S. Figure Skating|access-date=17 October 2022|archive-date=17 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017152907/https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/sports/figure-skating/roster/ava-ziegler/714|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2122>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|title=Ava Marie ZIEGLER: 2021/2022|publisher=International Skating Union|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218185511/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|archivedate=18 February 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2223>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|title=Ava Marie ZIEGLER: 2022/2023|publisher=International Skating Union|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228072344/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|archivedate=28 February 2023|url-status=dead|access-date=17 October 2022}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2324>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|title=Ava Marie ZIEGLER: 2023/2024 |publisher=International Skating Union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910073518/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|archive-date=10 September 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2526>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|title=Ava Marie ZIEGLER: 2025/2026 |publisher=International Skating Union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912073518/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111290.htm|archive-date=12 September 2025|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-AMZ>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00111290.htm|title=Ava Marie ZIEGLER: Competition Results|publisher=International Skating Union|access-date=17 October 2022|archive-date=18 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318185314/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00111290.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=SS-AMZ>{{cite web |url=https://skatingscores.com/usa/women/ava_marie_ziegler |title=USA-Ava Marie Ziegler |website=SkatingScores |access-date=2023-10-26 |archive-date=2023-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026055034/https://skatingscores.com/usa/women/ava_marie_ziegler/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name=DR190112>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.com/videos/sports/2019/01/12/ava-ziegler-dover-wins-skating-sectional/2558637002/ |title=Ava Ziegler of Dover wins skating sectional |newspaper= Daily Record |date= January 12, 2019 |access-date= October 20, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name=USFS211227>{{Cite web|title=Ava Ziegler - Growing into a Successful Junior Competitor|url=https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/news/2021/12/27/rinkside-ava-ziegler-growing-into-a-successful-junior-competitor.aspx|last=Martinez|first=Jillian L.|website=U.S. Figure Skating|date=December 27, 2021|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=USJR2022>{{cite web |title=Junior Ladies Results |url=http://www.ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2022/29546/CAT002SEG008.html |publisher=U.S. Figure Skating |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203195146/https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2022/29546/CAT002SEG008.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name=FSO230905>{{cite web|url=https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2023/09/05/ava-ziegler-my-goals-are-to-be-consistent-and-confident/|title=Ava Ziegler: My goals are to be consistent and confident|website=Figure Skaters Online|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-date=November 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127084231/https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2023/09/05/ava-ziegler-my-goals-are-to-be-consistent-and-confident/|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=GS221029>{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/2022/10/2022-skate-canada-women/ |title= Watanabe rebounds to gold at Skate Canada |first= Paula |last= Slater |work= Golden Skate |date= October 29, 2022 |access-date= November 27, 2023 |archive-date= October 29, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221029220008/https://www.goldenskate.com/2022/10/2022-skate-canada-women/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
<ref name=AnythingGOEs>{{cite news |url= https://anythinggoe.com/ava-ziegler-my-favorite-thing-is-the-work/ |title= Ava Ziegler: "My favorite thing is the work" |first= Anna |last= Kellar |work= Anything GOES |date= September 6, 2023 |access-date= November 27, 2023 |archive-date= November 16, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231116115543/https://anythinggoe.com/ava-ziegler-my-favorite-thing-is-the-work/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
<ref name=NBC231125>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/ava-ziegler-nhk-trophy-figure-skating|title=Ava Ziegler wins NHK Trophy in historic U.S. figure skating breakthrough|website=NBC Sports|date=November 25, 2023|access-date= November 27, 2023 }}</ref>
<ref name=GS231125>{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/ava-marie-ziegler-takes-surprising-win-at-nhk-trophy/ |title= Ava Marie Ziegler takes surprising win at NHK Trophy |first= Paula |last= Slater |work= Golden Skate |date= November 25, 2023 |access-date= November 27, 2023 |archive-date= November 26, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231126120750/https://www.goldenskate.com/ava-marie-ziegler-takes-surprising-win-at-nhk-trophy/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
<ref name=USFS240109>{{cite news |url= https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/news/2024/1/9/figure-skating-eighteen-athletes-named-to-four-continents-team.aspx |title= Eighteen Athletes Named to Four Continents Team |publisher= U.S. Figure Skating |date= January 9, 2024 |access-date= February 5, 2024 |archive-date= February 5, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240205153354/https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/news/2024/1/9/figure-skating-eighteen-athletes-named-to-four-continents-team.aspx |url-status= live }}</ref>
<ref name=NBC240119>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/ava-ziegler-figure-skating-national-championships|title=Ava Ziegler withdraws from figure skating nationals to focus on Four Continents|website=NBC Sports|date=January 19, 2024|access-date= February 10, 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=GS240202>{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/mone-chiba-commands-women-at-2024-four-continents/ |title= Mone Chiba commands Women at 2024 Four Continents |first= Paula |last= Slater |work= Golden Skate |date= February 2, 2024 |access-date= February 10, 2024 |archive-date= February 13, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240213195221/https://www.goldenskate.com/mone-chiba-commands-women-at-2024-four-continents/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
<ref name=lw25>{{cite web |last1=Rutherford |first1=Lynn |title=Ziegler’s love of skating drives competitive comeback |url=https://lutzwatch.com/zieglers-love-of-skating-drives-competitive-comeback/ |website=Lutz Watch |publisher=Lutz Watch |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref>
}}
== External links == * {{ISU figure skater|00111290|Ava Marie Ziegler}} * {{SkatingScores|usa/women/ava_marie_ziegler|Ava Marie Ziegler}} * [https://usfigureskating.org/roster.aspx?rp_id=1235 Ava Ziegler] at U.S. Figure Skating * {{instagram|_avaziegler|Ava Ziegler}}
{{NavigationNHKTrophyChampionsFigureSkatingLadies}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ziegler, Ava Marie}} Category:2006 births Category:Living people Category:American female single skaters Category:Sportspeople from Dover, New Jersey Category:Sportspeople from Morristown, New Jersey Category:21st-century American sportswomen