Despite finishing on the podium in the 100 breaststroke, Pulse missed two places in the state; However, her 10th place finish in the 200 IM got her a ticket to the state where she is seeded 15th.
Lodi/Wisconsin Heights senior Ella Pulse takes a breath during the freestyle leg of the 200-yard individual medley in last Saturday’s WIAA Division 2 DeForest sectional.
Sean Davis/Capital Newspapers
“I honestly didn’t expect to go into IM, because my only goal was to break my school’s record, which was 2:17,” Pulse said. “I was happy with it, but when I finished my race I looked up and saw I got 2:15, I was like ‘oh crap.’ I might have a chance.’ But then I finished 10th, so it was like ‘Oh, well, I’ve reached my goal. I got the time I wanted, so whatever it is.'”
“We’re a little surprised that it was the event (200 individual medley) and not the breaststroke. She was very close in that event as well, but still, very proud and she has the determination to get there, so I knew she would.” can do that,” Price added.
Out-of-season efforts pay off
This determination to come to the state began two seasons ago, when the Pulse missed qualifying again this past spring, before missing out. Those shortcomings, as well as some sage advice from Robinson, helped inspire Pulse with this off-season.
“For honest swimming, my old coach told me ‘races are won in the weight room.’ I did a lot of off-season work because the muscle mass tempers really well. Definitely lifting and being stronger than before has helped a lot,” said Pulse, who is already involved in basketball and track and She spends a lot of time in the weight room for the field, as well as being the daughter of Blue Devils football coach. Dave Pulse.
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