Marissa Ashton, a 2023 graduate of Buford High School was named the 2023 National HSSA Gymnast of the Year by USA Today. The winners of this year’s High School Sports Awards were announced July 31.
In her senior season, Ashton was the 2023 GHSA Class AAAAAA/AAAAAAA state all-around champion and helped Buford win a repeat team title. At the 2023 state meet, Ashton would capture three individual state titles on bars, beam and floor. She scored a perfect-10 on her floor routine, 9.825 on bars and 9.850 on beam. Ashton captured the all-around title with a total score of 39.575 beating out second-place finisher, Mani Fofana of West Forsyth who finished with a score of 38.850. She was also the 2022 state champion in the vault with a 9.8 score.
Ashton won the 2022 GHSA Class AAAAAA/AAAAAAA state all-around championship which enabled Buford to capture the team title in her junior year. She amassed a score of 38.975 in the all-around ahead of runner-up Mikayla Burton of Newnan. Burton had a total score of 38.225. Ashton scored 9.700 on bars which was enough to make her the event’s state champion. With a score of 9.800 on vault, Ashton would capture another state championship. She placed second on beam and fourth on floor.
When she wasn’t competing for Buford High School, Ashton competed with BIO Gymnastics as a Level 10 gymnast. Ashton will continue her gymnastics career at San Jose State University.
To learn more about USA Today’s HSSA Awards, as well as view all of the national winners, click here.
Featured photo: Buford graduate Marissa Ashton was named the 2023 National HSSA Gymnast of the Year by USA Today. Special photo
