Wenatchee High School Athletic Hall of Fame


Kathy Thompson
CLASS of 1986 Swimming ATHLETE
While setting numerous Panther records in the pool, Kathy became WHS's first swimmer to achieve statewide honors. She won four Eastern Washington Regional titles in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. At the state meet, she finished as high as fourth in the 200 individual medley while qualifying in four individual events and as a member of a pair of relay teams during the first two years of Panther swimming competition for girls.

Kathy was "Most Valuable Swimmer" on the WHS team as both a junior and senior and was a "NCW Sports Awards High School Female Athlete of the Year Finalist" in 1986. Over all she earned two letters.

Kathy went on to become Pacific Lutheran University's preeminent swimmer while receiving an incredible 22 "NAIA All-American" designations during her four year career for the Lutes. She placed second in the 200 IM, was third twice in the 400 IM, and second twice as a member of both the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relay teams at the NAIA National Championship Meet. Kathy won 25 Northwest Conference titles including four straight in both the 200 IM and 400 IM. She was "First Team All-Northwest Conference" during each of her four years of collegiate competition and was named the "Northwest Conference Outstanding Swimmer" multiple times as well as PLU's "Outstanding Swimmer." Kathy was a "NCW Sports Awards College Female Athlete of the Year Finalist" in 1989.

- Caricatures of inductees as they appeared while involved in WHS athletics and the synopsis of accomplishments are drawn and written by Jeff Mertes.