Waconia High School senior Madeline Lage is the recipient of the school’s 2024 Athena Award. Sponsored by the Minneapolis Athena Awards Committee, the Athena Award is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for female high school seniors. Selection of the outstanding female athlete from each school is based on excellence in individual sports or for participation and accomplishments in team sports. Students who excel in athletic activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens are eligible for the award.
Lage has been a mainstay on the High School Cross Country and Track & Field teams, earning eight varsity letters and a large collection of post-season awards. She is a three-time State Cross Country Meet qualifier, finished 8th at the 2022 State Meet, and holds the school record in the 5K. She is also a two-time State Track & Field Meet qualifier in the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relay events, and holds the school record in the 3200 meters and 4x800 meter relay.
Outside of varsity athletics, Lage is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serves as a volunteer coach for Community Education’s Track Camp, and is a member of the Waconia High School Weightlifting Club. Academically, Lage holds a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and earned an Academic All-State Award for cross country in 2022.
Lage plans to attend Creighton University next fall and will continue to participate in cross country and track on scholarship.
Lage and 53 other Athena Award winners will be recognized at the Minneapolis Athena Awards Banquet on Friday, May 3 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.
