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 women's track & field student-athlete Vakeaemanu Hunkin.

Vakeaemanu Hunkin's track and field career taught her how to push herself to the limit.
 
"Athletics has taught me to rise to the challenge and to see things through to the end," Hunkin said. "I don't have to be the best, but I will always give my best and be the best version of myself."
 
 

Hometown: Spanaway, Wash.

Collegiate PRs: Shot Put: 43' 1 3/4" (3rd all-time) Discus: 134' 8" (6th all-time) Hammer: 151' 8" (11th all-time) Weight Throw: 43' 9 3/4"

This philosophy applies to all areas of Hunkin's Lute experience, from her studies in Sociology with minors in Communications and Kinesiology, to her leadership in Lutes Lead and as a PLUS 100 mentor. In athletics, she strived to be her best self alongside teammates and coaches she called, "the coolest people," in her life.
 
"They've helped me make a home out of PLU and I wouldn't have been able to make it without them," Hunkin said. "I look forward to seeing them everyday just to crack jokes and practice, and push each other to be the best versions of ourselves."
 
Hunkin's favorite track and field memories also stem from spending time with her teammates. She recalled last year's 5 hour van ride to Whitworth which she spent crammed next to her fellow throwers. Of course, 2018's sunny training trip to California was a highlight in her athletic career, but so was the simple opportunity to train with this season's throwers. 
 
In the throwing circle, Hunkin was a six-time All-Region honoree, a five-time All-Northwest Conference selection and the 2017 NWC Champion in the shot put. A laundry list of accolades includes earning NWC Freshman of the Year, PLU Athletic Department Rookie of the Year, and USTFCCCA All-Academic honors in 2017. Hunkin additionally won the NWC Scholar Athlete Award in 2019 and was the NWC Field Athlete of the Week on March 20, 2017. Despite the previous accolades, the 2020 outdoor season was shaping up to be her best, ranking eighth in NCAA Division III in the shot put and 12th in the hammer throw after what turned out to be the Lutes' only outdoor meet of 2020.

"Vakeaemanu made an immediate impact as a first-year, establishing herself as one of the best throwers in the conference and as a team leader," said Head Coach Adam Frye. "She's continued to grow as an athlete, racking up All-Conference and All-Region awards, and even more so as a team leader. As a captain, she is truly dedicated to helping our team be the best we can be. Vakeaemanu and her classmates have helped to build our throws group, and T&F program, into one of the best in the NWC."
 
Outside of athletics, Hunkin has also enjoyed seeing the Pacific Islander community slowly increase on campus throughout her time at PLU. It's not gigantic, but it's progress. 
 
After graduation in a couple months, Hunkin plans to take a gap year before returning to education to pursue a higher degree. Wherever she ends up, her athletic experience at PLU has prepared her to face and overcome every challenge.