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Lohse excited to join Washburn University track program

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone
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Louisburg senior Emma Lohse signed her letter of intent to join the Washburn University track and field team during a ceremony at LHS on Nov. 9.


At this time a year ago, Emma Lohse hadn’t stepped foot on the track for a competition since the seventh grade.

The idea of participating in the sport really hadn’t appealed to her. Fast forward to the present, and Lohse is signing on the dotted line to compete at the college level. 

During a signing ceremony on Nov. 9, Lohse signed her letter of intent to join the Washburn University track and field team next season as a sprinter for the Ichabods.

“Signing with Washburn means everything to me,” Lohse said. “Ever since I started track last season, I knew I wanted go to Washburn to further my academic and athletic career.

“If you would have told me a year ago that I would be signing to run track in college, I wouldn’t have believed it, only because it was my first year. I didn’t know what to expect.”

That one season was a big one for Lohse. A year ago, she qualified for state in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes and medaled fourth in the 100.

Prime Accounting
Louisburg senior Emma Lohse signed her letter of intent to join the Washburn track program on Nov. 9. Seated next to Emma are her parents Sarah and John Lohse. Standing (from left) are basketball coaches Joel McGhee, Nick Chapman, Adrianne Lane and track coaches John Reece, Andy Wright and Leanna Willer.

Earlier last year, Lohse also broke the school record in the 100 dash and became a big point-getter for the Wildcat girls track team.

All of that almost didn’t happen, if it wouldn’t have been for a certain coach who nudged her into the sport.

“I tried track last year mainly because (coach Andy) Wright kept trying to convince me to do it and I was like why not,” Lohse said. “I knew I was fast and could definitely succeed at it. So I gave it a shot and it was the best decision I’ve made. I tried track in seventh grade and did not like it and quit until my junior year. I’m so glad I went through with this decision because it definitely paid off.”

Her one season of success brought out opportunities for Lohse in the college ranks and Washburn was right up there at the top. After a taking her visit, there wasn’t much of a doubt where she wanted to go.

“When I had my official visit at Washburn I immediately fell in love with the school and especially the indoor facility,” Lohse said. “Meeting the coaches and some of the girls made it feel like home.”

Lohse, who will also be running the 100 and 200 at Washburn is looking forward to what her final high school season has in store as she hopes to have an even better season this time around.

“I am really excited to see what the this track season brings,” she said. “I am hoping to break my 100 record and make it to state again, but this time medaling in all my events.”