College student saves three girls from drowning in Lake Washington

In Seattle, Washington, a college student saved three young girls from drowning during a festival. The UC Davis student, a Division 1 water polo athlete and certified lifeguard, noticed the girls struggling in the water and jumped in to help. After multiple trips to rescue them, she successfully brought all three girls back to safety. For her bravery, she was honored as 'Lady Guardian of Lake Washington' at a gala event, where she received gratitude from military officials and was celebrated for her quick thinking and lifesaving skills.

College student saves three girls from drowning in Lake Washington
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Updated Aug 12, 2026 First published Aug 10, 2026

Topic overview

Briefly

  • A college student saved three girls from drowning during a Seattle festival.
  • She was recognized as 'Lady Guardian of Lake Washington' for her heroic actions.
  • Her bravery highlights the importance of lifeguard training and quick response in emergencies.

What happened

In Seattle, Washington, a college student demonstrated remarkable bravery by saving three young girls from drowning during a local festival. The incident occurred when the student, a member of the UC Davis Division 1 water polo team and a certified lifeguard, was reading a book by the lake. After noticing the girls struggling about 15 yards from the shore, she immediately jumped into the water to assist them. The girls were in distress, with one of them drowning the others in a desperate attempt to breathe. The student acted quickly, retrieving the first girl and bringing her back to safety before returning to save the others. On her third trip, she found the last girl unconscious and tangled in a buoy rope. She managed to free the girl, lift her head above water, and drag her back to the shallows, where the girl eventually coughed up water and regained consciousness. The heroic actions of the student did not go unnoticed; Seafair President and CEO Emily Cantrell recognized her bravery and invited her to a gala that evening. At the event, the student was honored with the title 'Lady Guardian of Lake Washington' for her extraordinary efforts. The recognition included gratitude from US Navy admirals and other distinguished guests, highlighting the significance of her actions. The student expressed her relief that everyone was safe and shared her aspirations of pursuing a career in the Nuclear Navy, inspired by the Blue Angels Navy squadron. The following day, she was further honored with a special view of the Blue Angels airshow, celebrating her heroism and dedication to saving lives.

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Updated Aug 12, 2026

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