TACOMA, Wash. - Throughout the rest of the semester, GoLutes.com will profile the Pacific Lutheran University senior student-athletes involved in spring sports that had their seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's installment features PLU softball student-athlete Nicole Manuel.
 
Nicole Manuel has played softball since she was five years old. Now, she faces the end of her athletic career.
 
A transfer from Edmonds Community College, Manuel has made a significant impact on PLU in her two years as a Lute. At a softball get-to-together at the beginning of the season, she was recognized by head football coach Brant McAdams as a role-model and, "a leader and a woman that he hopes his little girl grows up to be." 
 
Manuel had given his daughter a softball as an Easter present for coming out and supporting a Lute softball game. Her generous spirit also lends itself to her anticipated future profession as a Special Education preschool teacher.
 

Hometown: Brier, Wash.

Games Played: 39 Games Started: 17 Career Record at PLU: 29-27 Previous College: Edmonds CC

At PLU, Manuel had the opportunity to train under coaches who were also teachers.
 
"I have grown with coaches who were once educators," Manuel said. "I was able to learn from them in the game of softball but also learn from them when it came to my teaching profession. It was a very unique experience that I would have never expected."
 
As a student-athlete, Manuel developed a community within her team, and recalls the fun of preparing for the 2019 senior night with her fellow underclassmen. Manuel won't have a senior night this year, but she will carry her Lute athletic experience with her throughout her life.
 
"Athletics has been my opportunity to grow as a person and take the lessons I learned through softball into my non-athletic life," Manuel said. "One of the largest lessons I will always take with me everywhere I go is the grit mindset."
 
This "grit" mindset affects Manuel's personal and professional life. In her free time, Manuel student-teaches at local districts around PLU. It certainly takes grit to balance athletics, academics, and educating students.
 
On the diamond, the Brier, Washington native has appeared in 39 games for the Lutes over the past two seasons, starting 17 games. Manuel, who was a Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete Award winner last season, had arguably the best game of her career last February in San Antonio, Texas, going three-for-three with four RBIs in a 14-8 win over host Trinity University.
 
Manuel's connection to the diamond extends past PLU. She's been a ball girl for the Seattle Mariners while her sister is an assistant coach down the road at Saint Martin's University in Lacey.
 
Now only months away from graduation, Manuel is pushing through the final stretch. She has grown to be a large role-model for her softball team, and soon will be a role-model for countless students.