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 women's track & field student-athlete Neely Harding.

According to Neely Harding, the Lute track & field team can run fast, but at times, is not always navigationally savvy.
 
 

Hometown: Spokane, Wash.

Collegiate PRs: Discus: 122' 10" Hammer: 114' 0" Javelin: 108' 11"

"Our navigating skills as a collective group is about a five on a ten-point scale," Harding said.
 
Harding was referring to a track & field competition in San Diego, California, where she and her teammates used their free time to find ice cream. Unfortunately, after seven or more blocks, they realized the ice cream shop was inside a closed baseball stadium. Harding now laughs at the experience, reflecting on how the time off the field allowed the team to bond more.
 
Through four years of training alongside other athletes, Harding believes she has learned how to build effective relationships and communicate in a team environment. Harding is grateful for the friendships she created with both her teammates and coaches.
 
"They gave me so many memories and helped me enjoy college," Harding said. "I appreciate every moment I had with them."
 
The Spokane, Washington native competed in 27 meets over the past four seasons in the discus, hammer throw, and javelin. Harding placed sixth at the NWC Championships in the discus as a first-year in 2018. She placed eighth in the event at the NWC meet in 2018 and uncorked a personal best throw of 122 feet, 10 inches at last season's NWC meet held at PLU. In her lone meet of 2020, Harding set a personal record in the hammer throw with a heave of 114' 0" at the Ed Boitano Invitational.
 
"Neely is part of a senior foursome that helped establish PLU as a top throws program in the NWC," said Head Coach Adam Frye. "She made the finals at conference every year in her primary event, the discus. We also saw her finish her career with a PR in the hammer throw at home. Neely has been an important leader on our team, including serving as a SAAC rep for four years. Her hard work, dedication and positive attitude have been a huge asset."
 
Harding is the treasurer for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and works on campus filming fall football and spring ball. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), where athletes come together and share their faith.
 
Outside of athletics, Harding worked hard to prepare for her future career as an accountant. An accounting major, Harding is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting club on campus. She also works as a Budget Assistant in the School of Business. 
 
After graduation, Harding plans to take the certification test to become a public accountant, and pursue a career as an accountant in the sports field. 
 
With four years as a Lute athlete under her belt, Harding appears to be heading exactly in the right direction.