“Ava’s abs!”
It’s a phrase every Montrose cross country runner knows—usually followed by groans, laughter, and the end of an ab workout everyone expects by now. And honestly, no one would want it any other way!
Alongside that, there’s always Elisabeth Kheir somewhere out on the course, cheering louder than anyone else in places most people do not even think to stand. Somehow, no matter where you are in the race, you can hear Elisabeth cheering for you.
This year, the Montrose cross country and track teams were led by just two seniors: Ava Menasha and Elisabeth Kheir. As captains and leaders, they gave everything to this team—not just through performances, but through energy, kindness, support, and the way they made everyone around them better! It is honestly impossible to imagine the team without them.
Ava Menasha has been a constant source of energy and positivity for the team throughout her four years of cross country and track at Montrose! She’s always smiling, encouraging, pushing people to do their best, and somehow always has the best advice. Whether it was during hard workouts, long runs, bus rides, or hotel stays before big meets, Ava brought energy everywhere she went! She is the kind of person who makes even the hardest practice feel more fun. 😊
On the track, Ava competed in the 200m, 400m, and relays, earning incredible accomplishments throughout her career! She represented Montrose twice at Nike Nationals and earned All-American status in 2025, as part of the Sprint Medley Relay team. She also helped set both the school record in the Sprint Medley Relay and the NEPSTA Division III meet record in the 4x400m relay—an amazing accomplishment for both Ava and the program!
One of Ava’s favorite memories from her time on the team was earning All-American honors alongside last year’s seniors, making the achievement even more meaningful. Coach Sullivan described Ava as “an athlete who thrives under the lights and performs at her best when it matters.” She also shared that Ava’s “hallmark sunglasses will go down in program history as an image of full focus and locking in,” which honestly describes Ava perfectly.
But beyond the records and accomplishments, Ava’s impact comes from the way she made people feel. Coach Sullivan explained that “Ava’s joyful spirit will be a legacy to remind all future Montrose XCTF athletes that we compete because we love this sport and love showing up for teammates.” Whether she was hyping people up before races or leading the now-famous “Ava’s abs,” Ava made every practice, meet, and team event more positive and exciting.
Next year, Ava will be continuing her academic journey at Clemson University. We are going to miss her energy, positivity, leadership, sunglasses, and everything she brought to the team!!
Elisabeth Kheir has been just as important to this team in a completely different way. Over the past three years at Montrose, Elisabeth has become someone the team can always count on. She is one of the most supportive and caring teammates, always looking out for everyone no matter what. Whether she is cheering from the most unexpected parts of the course, giving advice before races, helping organize thoughtful things like NEPSTA goodie bags, or just making sure everyone feels included, Elisabeth is always thinking of others first! 😊
Elisabeth joined Montrose track in her first year after transferring in January 2022, and ran winter track that same season. She ran spring track as a freshman, and then worked up the courage to join cross country in tenth grade—and as she said, it ended up being one of the most fun parts of her high school experience. She has now run track for five years and cross country for three, finishing her senior season with a PR at her final meet, finally beating her sophomore champs time!
One of her favorite team memories was after a brutally hot, hilly meet when the team went to a nearby beach for a long cooldown run and ended up running straight into the ocean together! She also mentioned how much she loved team dinners, surprise goodie bags at the end of the season, and seeing everyone succeed at championships—moments that show how close this team really is.
Coach Sullivan described Elisabeth as the “team mom” and said she “embodies the meaning of leading through service.” She explained that she could always rely on Elisabeth to notice things others missed, see who needed help, and make sure every athlete felt supported. Elisabeth’s “Mary Poppins” bag became iconic on the team because it somehow always had exactly what everyone needed.
What stands out most about Elisabeth is the community she helped build. As she said herself, “nobody goes unseen,” and the tight-knit bonds on the team are something she has not experienced anywhere else. She leaves Montrose with a legacy of care, unity, and quiet leadership that made a huge difference every single day.
Next year, Elisabeth will be continuing her academic journey at The University of Colorado Boulder. We are going to miss her cheerful attitude, positivity, goodie bags, her Mary Poppins bag, and everything she brought to the team!!
Together, Ava and Elisabeth were the only seniors on the Montrose XC and track teams this year, and their impact will be felt long after they graduate. They led in completely different ways, but together built a team culture rooted in positivity, effort, support, and genuine love for the sport!!
We are going to miss them so much—not just as runners, but as leaders, teammates, role models, and the people who made every practice, race, bus ride, and team memory better just by being there!
By Amairaa Farswani ‘29, Contributing Writer
