As a freshman, Ava Ruschhaupt walked away from running competitively. Three years later, the Shelbyville senior has committed to run for Franklin College.

On Thursday in the Golden Bear Room at Shelbyville High School, Ruschhaupt made her choice official with a signing ceremony in front of her coaches, friends and family.

“I was no nervous,” said Ruschhaupt after the ceremony with a big smile. “There were a lot of people staring at me.”

The young teenager made an important decision to focus on her health rather than her passion as she entered high school.

“I was dealing with an eating disorder for awhile and I made the decision my freshman year to step back and regroup and figure out what I was doing,” explained Ruschhaupt, the daughter of John and Julie Ruschhaupt.

She opted to be a team manager instead of a competitive athlete to keep her close with the cross country and track and field programs at SHS.

“I managed for awhile and then I felt like I was in a better spot physically and mentally to come back,” she said. “I wasn’t quite sure about running long distance again so I switched over to sprint group.”

Shelbyville track and field coach Nick Blakey informed those in attendance Thursday only two students in his nine years at the school have left the track and cross country programs and returned.

“I think you made a really mature decision because when you became a manager and you helped out with the sprints crew, you looked at what we were doing and said, ‘That’s different. I think I can get a fresh start if I try that,’” said Blakey. “Frankly, many high school students don’t make that decision. It was very insightful and our whole team is better for that decision.”

Ruschhaupt’s focus now is running the 200 meters and 400 meters in track and field. She did opt to return to cross country for her senior season and that helped her overcome any mental hurdles holding her back.

“It was scary,” she said. “The anxiety was so bad. My first race at Franklin (High School) I only ran a 3K. It was a lot better getting back into it. I was very nervous but once I got that over with, I felt better afterward and I continued to keep growing and getting better.”

Ruschhaupt is excited for her senior season of track because she will be more prepared to be a sprinter.

“I ran a mix of things last year just trying to feel everything out,” she said. “This year I want to focus on the 400 and the 200.”

Ruschhaupt never considering running collegiately until a college track and field coach contacted her. By exploring her options, Franklin College became an opportunity.

“I love coach (Taylor) Sadkowski,” said Ruschhaupt. “He had a plan for growing the program (at Franklin College). He really wants to stay there for awhile and make the program better. That is what really pulled me there.”

Ruschhaupt will major in Biology with a medical career in her future.

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