Chatham’s Ava Roffel Heading to D1 Bowling Green

Chatham’s Ava Roffel is taking a big next step in her diving career, officially committing to Bowling Green State University in Ohio. The 17-year-old Chatham Christian High School student has been with the Windsor Diving Club since 2021 and has quickly risen through the ranks.

Source: Brian Roffel

Roffel’s athletic journey started in gymnastics at age four, competing with the Blenheim Kent Golden Eagles before adding diving to her schedule in 2021. For a time, she balanced both sports—three days a week in each—before deciding last season to focus fully on diving.

That choice paid off. At this year’s Aspire Diving Championships, she won 3m springboard, platform, and placed 3rd in 1m, earning a spot on Team Aspire Ontario and being named Outstanding Aspire A Diver. She trains under Windsor Diving Club coach Ioana Marinescu.

"Ava inspires everyone around her." Marinescu said. "She shows our athletes that dreams are worth chasing and that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible. We are beyond proud and deeply moved to see Ava take this next step at Bowling Green."

Roffel credits her gymnastics background for helping her fall in love with diving. “Flipping and being in the air were already part of me,” she said. “When I tried diving, it was a new fun challenge, like it involves some similarities to gymnastics but in a new environment. I fell in love with the diving and just enjoyed the challenge of it.”

As for Bowling Green, the fit was obvious.“I chose Bowling Green because of the supportive coaching staff, and the close-knit team culture," Ava told Powerplay Sports. "It felt like one happy family. During my visits and conversations, I felt genuinely valued, and I knew it was a place where I could grow as both an athlete and a person."

Her message to young divers. "I’d tell younger divers to have fun and just trust themselves. Not every practice will be perfect, but every practice teaches you something. Celebrate small wins, listen to your coaches, and never lose the joy that made you start diving in the first place."