Oologah-Talala Mustang soccer is something that Ava Penner has been familiar with for a while, long before she stepped on the field for the first time. While she loves the sport and representing her school, Penner sees it as more of a family tradition.

“I take a lot of pride in representing my school and community through Oologah-Talala soccer,” she stated. “My family has generations of alumni from Oologah-Talala High School, so it means a lot to me to be able to leave my own legacy here.”

Ava is a junior at Oologah-Talala-Talala. Along with playing for the Mustangs, she is also a member of a competitive team at NEOFC in Owasso.

Throughout her life, Ava has had a number of people that have had an influence on her. She says that there are few people that have been in her corner every step of the way and she is truly thankful for them.

“My parents are definitely the biggest influences in my life,” she stated. “They will drop everything to support my sister and me, and that undying support is the reason I am able to succeed in anything in my life”

While her family has been an important part of her life, Penner has a couple of other people that have played a role in her becoming who she is.

“My chemistry teacher this year has made a big impact on my life,” she said. “She has introduced me to a side of science that I now love. And I love competing with my teammate Layney Molini. She just moved here and is already a big part of our team. I love her energy and enthusiasm, and she always comes to practice ready to work hard.”

Oologah-Talala soccer coach, Waylon Lewis, is proud to have Penner as a member of the team, saying that she is just as good of a person off the field as she is a player on the field.

“Ava is the ultimate team player,” Waylon said. “She leads with not only her play in games and practice but with how she treats her teammates off the field. No one works harder than Ava Penner and there isn’t a coach that wouldn’t want her on their team. She has a bright future wherever she goes.”

There have been countless hours of practice and work that Ava has put in so that she can be at her best when game day arrives.

“This journey through soccer has taken a lot of dedication and sacrifice,” Penner said. “It is a constant grind to continue to grow and develop, but it is one that I owe a lot of great memories to. Peer competition is my main motivator; healthy competition with my teammates pushes me to be better and perform for them.”