College of Saint Benedict

Ayva Burshem-Season-Career Results

2023: Burshem competed in five meets and recorded a 28th place finish at the Toni St. Pierre Invitational, with a career-best 5k time of 23:00.4. At the Connecticut College Invitational, she recorded a career-best 6k time of 26:50.5. At the MIAC Championships, Burshem finished with a 6k time of 27:08.8. 

2022: Competed in three meets: the Griak Invitational with a 6k time of 28:42.9, the 2022 DIII National Preview with a 6k time of 27:30.8, and the MIAC Conference Championships with a 6k time of 27:42.9. 

High School: A 2022 graduate of Maple Grove Senior High, Burshem competed in cross country for two years, swimming for three years, Nordic skiing for three years, and track and field for five years. In 2020, she earned the Grace Heitzig Award in Nordic skiing, and in 2021, she received the Crimson Award in track and field. Her proudest moments in her cross country career were when she reached her goals or earned new personal bests. 

Personal: The daughter of Jill Schierholz and Reed Burshem, Ayva has six siblings: Jay, Micah, Leo, Violet, Emery, and Elsie. In her spare time, Ayva likes to travel, hike, and swim. She is an Exercise Science major with a minor in Pre-Occupational Therapy/Psychology. Ayva likes being a collegiate student-athlete because she enjoys having a community that she can always lean on. She also likes to compete at the collegiate level because it helps her stay motivated and disciplined.