The journey to the state championships is rarely smooth, and for Bonney Lake senior Maddy Lohse, it came with an emotional twist that nearly cost her a season-long goal. Known for her resilience in the pool, Lohse faced one of the biggest challenges of her high school swimming career just two weeks ago: a disqualification in her best event during districts. Her shot at advancing to state had seemingly slipped away in the blink of an eye.
For Maddy, her last hope lay in the elusive wild card, a final opportunity to make it to state. It would require the state committee to evaluate her times against those of other swimmers who hadn’t qualified directly. Only the fastest could secure that precious bid.
Despite the nerve-racking wait, Maddy's performance this season had made her case undeniable. Her time in the 500-yard freestyle was blistering—a time that few, even among the direct qualifiers, could rival. The verdict finally arrived: she was in. Maddy Lohse, with her wild card entry, would represent Bonney Lake at state in the 500-yard freestyle.
Maddy’s journey to this moment stretches back over a decade, beginning when she joined the Valley Aquatics Swim Team at just six years old. Her focus and discipline have grown right alongside her as she evolved from a young sprinter specializing in the 50 and 100 freestyle and butterfly to a versatile long-distance contender. “For most of my swim career, I was a sprinter,” she said. “But over this past year, my best events have transformed to the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and 200 butterfly.”
Despite the wild card detour, Maddy’s goal remains unchanged: a strong showing at state in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Her journey back to state speaks volumes of her resilience and her mastery in the pool. For the Bonney Lake Panthers and the community that cheers her on, Maddy Lohse isn’t just a swimmer—she’s a standout leader and one of the most determined athletes to ever wear the Panthers cap.
When she steps up to the block at state, Maddy will bring her years of experience, countless hours of training, and a fierce determination to leave it all in the water. As she prepares to dive into her final races as a Panther, Maddy Lohse’s journey is already an unforgettable one, marked by passion, resilience, and the will to compete, no matter the odds.
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