TACOMA, Wash. - Throughout the academic year, GoLutes.com will profile the Pacific Lutheran University student-athletes that are embarking on their final collegiate season. Today's installment features PLU men's soccer student-athlete Rainier Schlekewey. 

Rainier Schlekewey had a busy four years at PLU. A member of the men's soccer team and pursuing a double major and a double minor, Schlekewey made the most of his college experience.
 

Hometown: Seattle, Wash.

Highlights: Three-Time NWC Champion Two-Time NCAA Qualifier 2019 Honorable Mention All-NWC

 
Schlekewey will graduate with a BA in Business Administration Marketing and a BA in Computer Science, with minors in Statistics and Data Science. 
 
His favorite memory from Lute soccer was winning their third conference title in three years in 2019. Winning on the home field of rival team University of Puget Sound was icing on the cake.
 
"Rainier's growth as a leader has been really fun to see," said Head Coach John Yorke.

"His first year here he had an injury that kept him out for the entire season and even though he was a great teammate during that time it is much more difficult to really insert your personality and ability into the team when you can't participate and only watch. Over the past two years, he has gained the respect of his teammates through his playing ability and his competitive intensity. One of the things he has really gotten better at is adapting his natural intensity to be able to connect with his teammates in a leadership role. I really believe he has grown in that area and with his organizational skills, attention to detail, and passion he has really become a very good leader!"
 
On the pitch, the Seattle, Washington native has appeared in 37 games over the past three seasons, making 35 starts. The midfielder has five goals and four assists to his name, including netting game-winning scores against Pacific, Whitman, and Linfield during the 2018 season. An Honorable Mention All-NWC selection last fall, Schlekewey has helped the Lutes compiled a 38-16-7 record over the past three seasons, including a 29-7-6 record in league play. That includes three consecutive NWC crowns and back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
Off the field, Schlekewey's career has been equally prolific, earning NWC All-Academic honors in both 2019 and 2020 while being inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma athletic honors society last spring. 
 
"On the field, he has a great presence. He's good on the ball, a good defender and can chip in with a goal now and then.  He leads by example with his work rate and is also a vocal presence. Whether it is on or off the field, Rainier is really passionate about the things he cares about. He's a good student, worker, family member, and athlete. He throws himself fully into what is important to him and has an intense drive to be successful."
 
Schlekewey is grateful for his Lute athletic experience, saying it helped him "become a better man, and a better leader."