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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 track & field student-athlete Carlie Kilcup.

As a track and field athlete and Nursing major, Carlie Kilcup had a busy four years as Lute.
 
Also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Love Your Melon Crew, Kilcup grew to be a leader on campus. In athletics, Kilcup interacted with many different kinds of people, which she believes helped prepare her to go into a career which heavily involves interactions with all types of individuals. 

 

Hometown: Fife, Wash.

Collegiate PRs: Pole Vault: 9' 0 1/4" Javelin: 119' 1"

As she approaches graduation, Kilcup reflected on her teammates and coaches which experienced her journey alongside her.
 
"They have taught me so much about the sport as well as being a good teammate and person," Kilcup said. "Knowing my team and coaches always were cheering for me and had my back was such an amazing feeling and they knew I had theirs too. Creating a bond like that will last forever."
 
The Fife, Washington native competed the last four years in both the javelin and pole vault. Kilcup finished eighth in the pole vault at the NWC Championships last season and was seventh in the javelin at the NWC Championships in 2017. Her lone meet of the 2020 season, Kilcup cleared a personal best height of nine feet, 0 ¼ inches in the pole vault, a clearance the ranked fourth best in the NWC before the season was shutdown.
 
"Carlie contributed to our team in a unique combination of events - the pole vault and the javelin," said Head Coach Adam Frye. "She was a conference scorer in each of these events. Carlie was able to improve as an athlete while also balancing the busy schedule of a nursing student and serving as a SAAC rep. She and her senior teammates were the catalyst for the growth of our program over the last four years. We'll miss her positive energy and enthusiasm."
 
Outside of athletics, Kilcup had a great support network in her nursing cohort. She recalled having a jeopardy game night with friends from her cohort as a fun way of taking a break from everyone's busy schedules.
 
After graduation, Kilcup hopes to work at the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital on their pediatric med-surg units. Her competitive and dedicated spirit will carry her forward into her nursing career.