Setting the Scene: The Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's track & field teams return to Portland this weekend, competing this afternoon and tomorrow at the Portland Distance Carnival before the entire athletic department comes together on Sunday to celebrate at the Luteys Awards Show.
 
FRIDAY:
T&F at Portland Distance Carnival in Newberg, Ore. (1 p.m.)
SATURDAY:
T&F at Portland Distance Carnival in Portland, Ore. (4 p.m.)
SUNDAY:
PLU Athletics Presents the 2022 Luteys Awards Show (Live Stream Starts at 3 p.m.)(LINK)

The 2022 Luteys: After two years in a virtual format, the annual PLU Athletics awards show— The Luteys, returns to an in-person format. The event is limited to student-athletes but friends, family, alumni, and community members can tune into the live stream of the event (LINK). In addition to the usual awards, this year two new awards were added, the Unsung Lute Award and the L.U.T.E.S. Impact Award. Fans can learn all about the nominees in the digital event program: LINK
 
Women's Rowing: On Tuesday the six-time Northwest Conference Champion and 12^th-ranked Lutes officially punched their ticket to nationals, securing one of the eight slots at the 2022 NCAA Division III Championships held in Sarasota, Florida on May 27 and 28.
 
The Lutes varsity eight boat has been assigned lane five in heat B to open the championships, facing off against No. 1-ranked Wellesley University, No. 2 Bates College, and No. 5 Williams College. The Lute second varsity eight is in lane five of heat A. That heat sees the 2V8+ up against No. 2 Bates, Tufts University and No. 6 Ithaca University. 

We checked in with Brooke Faubion and Clara Froeschner to talk about @LutesRowing NCAA Championships Selection! #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/DbUbqAEFHH

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) May 10, 2022

 
Men's Track & Field: Last weekend, the Lutes competed in three meets across the state of Oregon. Ryan Stracke headlined PLU's efforts last Friday in Eugene at the Oregon Twilight, breaking the school record in the 1,500-meters under the lights at Hayward Field. Stracke circled the track in three minutes, 50.04 seconds, finishing as the top D3 competitor and shattering a school mark that has stood since 1986.
 
Hezekiah Goodwin tallied a season-best effort in the 3,000-meter steeplechase while Grady Lemma was third in the 400-meter hurdles. 
 
At the Linfield Invite, Corey Solomon was second in the pole vault while Wyatt Tayon was third in the shot put. The Lutes also competed at the Portland Twilight with Jonah Maier setting a PR in the 800-meters. 
 
Women's Track & Field: Bailey Forsyth ran a season-best time at the Oregon Twilight, sprinting across the finish in 24.76. Lily Luksich and Kristine Nguyen finished fourth and fifth overall in the pole vault while Ava Nelson was sixth in the javelin. 
 
The following day, Peyton Santos was third in the discus at the Linfield Invite while Joan Park was seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Portland Twilight. 
 
Academic Attaways: Baseball's Connor Lemma was recognized for his efforts on the diamond and in the classroom this week, earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. Learn more about the award and the quadruple major: LINK
 
Alumni Update: Softball alumna Leah Butters '15, a member of the 2012 National Championship team, is in the business of service and care. Learn about her professional journey with MultiCare: LINK