Ava Svistunov boasts the most impressive resume in Belmont High School wrestling history, but the senior shows up to practice these days with more motivation than ever.
Not only is she the program’s first female varsity wrestler and MIAA Division 1 individual state champion, but she’s also the only competitor to accomplish the feat twice. Most wrestlers could only dream of achieving what Svistunov has, but this injury-marred year makes her blood boil.
“Being hurt has made me almost pissed off,” Svistunov said. “I want to work so hard to the point where I’m unstoppable.”
It’s a point where she’s been before. Two winters ago, Svistunov captured the first-ever individual Division I state championship in the 107-pound weight class. Last winter, she bumped up to the 114-pound class and rolled to another crown. Her career record is 76-58, inclusive of both weight classes and matches against all genders. This past summer, the 5-foot-2 Svistunov finished second nationally and earned All-American honors in the 110-pound weight class at a July tournament in New Jersey.
All that’s to say, the trail-blazing Svistunov isn’t ready to stop making history.
Finding her Match
A self-described “athletic kid,” Svistunov has played, and continues to try, numerous sports. She started wrestling in third grade, but also played soccer through her junior year and ice hockey through middle school. She ran track last spring and plans to do so again.
Wrestling, though, came more naturally than the rest. And over time, Svistunov became obsessed with maintaining the willpower required to train and fuel properly.
“You kind of dedicate your life to a sport that not many people can do,” Svistunov said. “The feeling of adrenaline that rushes through you after your matches is addicting.”
Going into her first state championship meet, Svistonov remembered lacking confidence. “No way,” she thought, after winning at 107 pounds. With more belief last year, she defeated Lowell’s Saphira Sao to capture the 114-pound crown in less than two minutes. Svistunov placed in the top-six at boys’ sectional meets, too.
A recurring back injury tweaked during the Marauders’ first match on Dec. 13 kept her off the mat until Jan. 21, a five-plus week stretch in the thick of the season. With just a couple more weeks until postseason wrestling begins and Svistunov chases her third-straight individual title,
Commanding Respect
Coach Craig Janjigian described Svistunov as “fierce.” She’s also versatile, always learning new moves to keep opponents off balance. He commended her humility and conscious desire to improve.
“It’s really impressive to see the pace of wrestling that she has,” Janjigian said. “What’s good about Ava is that she’s learned and become very skilled at her moves, so she’s able to switch gears very seamlessly.”
Like the coach, Svistonov’s teammates heap nothing but praise.
Every time Will Babcock identifies himself as a Belmont High School wrestler, Svistunov comes up. Newcomers and opponents ask just how good she really is, and if she can beat them (to which he says yes). A reigning Middlesex League All-Star at 144 pounds, Babcock lauded Svistunov as a trusted leader, creative confidant and all-around standout person.
“She’s always a voice of reason,” Babcock said. “She’s as close to the face of a program that you can get.”
Svistunov doesn’t rest on her past success, but let Eva Cohen explain the impact Svistunov makes. A junior, Cohen started wrestling on her own but benefits from being around her.
“Seeing an example of another girl kicking ass on the mat inspired me,” said Cohen, who finished third in states at 120 pounds last year.
The Road Ahead
Recently, Svistunov committed to wrestle collegiately at nearby Emmanuel College. Her club coach, Nick Avery, started the school’s wrestling program. The men started this year, and Svistunov headlines the Saints’ first-ever women’s wrestling recruiting class.
Svistunov initially envisioned herself going to college out of state and ending her wrestling career after her final high school season, even though Division I programs showed interest. After nearly a decade of wrestling and the injuries that come with it, Svistunov was “done.” A freak accident concussion suffered during a late-season practice from a kick to the temple before the All-State meet nearly sapped her desire to wrestle.
But unfulfilling visits to a few schools led her family to suggest giving Emmanuel a shot. Despite her initial hesitation, Svistunov “fell in love” with the school during a comprehensive visit. She ate dinner with the current team, practiced a bit and toured the dorms.
“[Avery] gave me such a big opportunity, and I was like ‘why not?’” said Svistunov, who plans to major in neuropsychology. “Now I’m all for it. I’ve trained so much… I’ve regained my love for it.”
Postseason wrestling begins with the Division I Central/Metro tournament at Malden High School on Feb. 14. Should Svistunov emerge victorious, she’ll go for her three-peat February 20 and 21 at the divisional state championships at North Andover High School.
Facing injury adversity and losing a few matches upon her return unlocked another level of competitiveness.
“It’s made me want it a lot more,” Svistunov said. “The losses make me want to work my butt off just to get 10 times better. And I know I can.”
