In high school athletics, reaching the state tournament is the ultimate prize. It’s the reason athletes push through early morning alarms, grueling practices, and countless hours of training. Winning a state title may be the dream, but simply making it there is a mark of greatness—a distinction that eludes many talented athletes, despite their best efforts. Some fall short due to bad luck or an untimely off-day. But those who make it are forged by dedication, resilience, and an inner fire that refuses to quit. This fall, a handful of Bonney Lake Panthers will proudly represent their school at the state level, each having clawed their way to the top through sheer grit and talent.
Here’s a look at the fall athletes representing Bonney Lake at the state level:
Boys Tennis: Gavin Orozco
A lot of tennis players go an entire career without making it to state, but for Gavin Orozco, reaching the state tournament was just another achievement on a season of firsts. The Bonney Lake #1 singles player put on a display this season, going undefeated in league play with a 14-0 record and setting a new school standard. His performance was so impressive that the league’s coaches voted him Singles Player of the Year, unanimously.
As the league’s top seed, Orozco made it to the finals of the league tournament, eventually taking second and moving on to districts. At districts, he battled to a fourth-place finish, securing his spot in the state tournament. Although state isn’t until May in Kennewick, Gavin’s path to get there has already cemented his name in Bonney Lake history. He’s the first boys singles player from the school to qualify for the tournament, and with a flawless season behind him, Orozco has set the bar for future Bonney Lake players.
Cross Country: Latham West, Tegan Holme, and Violet Overla
The road to the state cross-country meet is as challenging as the sport itself, and Bonney Lake’s standout runners are ready for it. Three athletes will be toeing the line at the state championships on November 9th, each representing Bonney Lake with their own story of dedication, grit, and triumph.
Latham West
If you’ve ever seen Latham West race, you know she’s in a league of her own. West doesn’t just win—she commands the race, usually far ahead of the pack from the start. A junior, Latham has been a force since she first laced up as a freshman, holding Bonney Lake’s track records in both the 1600m and 3200m, and posting the fastest times for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in the 5K. This season, she qualified early for the district meet and didn’t stop there, dominating her competition to take first place at districts with a time of 18:11.5—remarkably, about 40 seconds slower than her personal best. Latham is pacing herself; she knows her real race is at state, where she’ll be vying for top honors for the third year in a row.
Tegan Holme
For Tegan Holme, the state meet is almost like home. This senior is headed to her fourth consecutive state meet, a journey that began when she was the only Bonney Lake runner to qualify as a freshman. That year was lonely, she recalls, but Tegan didn’t back down. Over the years, she’s become not only a top runner but also a leader, serving as a two-time captain for both cross country and track. At districts this season, she clocked in at 20:08.1 to finish 26th, and with each stride, she’s closing out her high school cross-country career on her terms: four state meets, countless miles, and a legacy of resilience.
Violet Overla
The journey to state can begin anywhere—even Michigan. Freshman Violet Overla is new to Bonney Lake and to the cross-country team, but she’s no stranger to racing. Encouraged by her parents to join cross country, she took her middle school experience to the 5K level, earning a spot at state in her very first season of high school competition. With a district finish of 34th place and a time of 20:28.2, Violet is heading to her first high school state meet, representing Bonney Lake and bringing her own story of grit and passion from Michigan to Washington.
A Community Rallies
As Bonney Lake’s fall sports season approaches its climax, the Panthers' state-bound athletes exemplify the heart and hustle of their school. From record-breaking performances to first-time qualifiers, these athletes remind us what it means to reach for greatness. Each runner and player has traveled a unique path to state, but they all share a relentless commitment to their sport, school, and each other.
For Gavin, Latham, Tegan, and Violet, the upcoming state tournaments are the culmination of everything they’ve put in and everything they’ve overcome. They carry with them the hopes and pride of Bonney Lake, knowing that no matter the outcome, they’ve already achieved something remarkable.
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