Previous Lute Salute Features

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 men's track & field student-athlete Joe Stilnovich.

Joe Stilnovich is an athlete through and through.
 
A member of the men's track and field team, Stilnovich spent his first two years at PLU living in Tingelstad, the residence hall largely dominated by athletes. He made many memories living on the same floor as his best friends which he will always cherish.

 

Hometown: Sumner, Wash.

Collegiate PRs: 60-meters: 7.49 100-meters: 11.70 200-meters: 23.61 400-meters: 51.52

Stilnovich will be graduating with a degree in Business with concentrations in Accounting and HR/Management. On top of academics and track, Stilnovich also participated in intramural sports. He gives credit to Lute athletics for helping juggle these activities.
 
"Athletics has taught me first and foremost how to manage my time," Stilnovich said. "School is already hard enough to grapple, throw in a varsity sport and you really have to learn how to manage every hour of your day. I believe that skill is going to be crucial to have when I start working full time."
 
Out of the many memories he's made at PLU, Stilnovich recalled the 2019 Northwest Conference Championships as one of his favorites. A large community of Lutes cheered from the sidelines, and Stilnovich loved the supportive and fun atmosphere.
 
The atmosphere was also created by his teammates and coaches. Stilnovich is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside his team, and for his coaches' guidance.
 
"They've really developed me as a person more than I could've ever imagined," Stilnovich said. "My coaches have taught me the important qualities of being a leader, and my teammates showed me how much easier a hard task can be when you got everyone else there with you."
 
On the track, Stilnovich made an impact on the track, finishing second overall in a personal best time in the 400-meters at the Lewis & Clark Invitational last season before scoring points for the Lutes in the 400-meters, 4x100-meter relay, and 4x400-meter relay the following weekend at the NWC Championships hosted at PLU. Stilnovich's senior campaign got off to a strong start, earning PRs in both the 60-meters and 200-meters at the Seattle Pacific Final Qualifier during the indoor season while placing fifth in the 200-meters at the Ed Boitano Invitational, a meet that turned out to be the Lutes' first and only competition of the outdoor season.
 
"Joe took an unusual route to being a team captain and conference scorer," said Head Coach Adam Frye. "He joined T&F for the first time as a sophomore in college and then missed the following season with injury. Joe was persistent and his hard work and dedication allowed him to perform at a high level in 2019 and be selected as a team captain for 2020. Joe is the ultimate team player and we'll miss his diligent preparation and enthusiasm for contributing to the team any way he can."
 
With only a couple months until graduation, Stilnovich is finalizing summer plans. He will be working for United Fruit and Produce, spending time at both the Orchard in Orondo and the warehouse in his hometown of Sumner. When he's not working, he plans to enjoy the summer weather and bask in the sun with his cows.