Setting the Scene: It's on to the NCAA Championships as the Pacific Lutheran University Athletic Department wraps up another successful academic year. On Thursday, track & field's Darius Chaffin competes in javelin in Ohio at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships while the following week the women's rowing team is in New Jersey for the NCAA Division III Championships.

THURSDAY, MAY 22:
Javelin at NCAA Championships in Geneva, Ohio (5:45 p.m. Eastern)
FRIDAY, MAY 30:
Rowing at NCAA Championships in West Windsor, N.J.
SATURDAY, MAY 31:
Rowing at NCAA Championships in West Windsor, N.J. 
 
Men's Track & Field: Darius Chaffin makes his second trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the javelin. The Kalihi, Hawaii native previously competed at the NCAA Championships back in 2022, securing All-American honors that season after finishing seventh in the event.
 
Chaffin heads into the national meet with the 17th best throw in Division III this season after a toss of 204 feet, seven inches, at the Northwest Conference Championships in late April.

The senior will have familiarity with the venue in Geneva, Ohio as it's the same spot the national meet was held back in 2022. 
 
Women's Rowing: The Lutes were one of eight teams selected for the NCAA Championships back on May 13, making the squad's first trip to the national regatta since the 2022 campaign. 
 
PLU earned a bid as the top team from the Pacific Region and will be only team not from the Eastern Time Zone competing at the regatta. 
 
It's PLU's seventh appearance as a team at the NCAA regatta, also making appearances in 2022, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. 
 
PLU last raced on May 3rd with the varsity eight finishing fourth in their race at the annual Windermere Cup/Opening Day Regatta through the Montlake Cut in Seattle. The Lutes' second varsity eight has been idle since finishing sixth in the grand finals at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships on April 27. 

Ticket Punched ???

Now hear from SAAC President Suzie Roberts & Ashley Teague of women's rowing about making the squad's return to the national championships#GoLutes pic.twitter.com/SVJAkbz95o

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) May 13, 2025

 
Chi Alpha Sigma: Last Friday the Lutes inducted 71 student-athletes into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Society in a ceremony in the lobby of Olson Gymnasium.

One of just four institutions in Washington State to have a chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, and the only Division III university in the state, the society recognizes athletes with a 3.40 grade point average or higher after their fifth full-time semester. Highlighting this year's class was the 12 Lutes added from women's lacrosse which competed as a varsity sport for the first time in school history this spring.
 
Dive Deeper: LINK
 
The Luteys: On Monday, May 12 the PLU Athletic Department celebrated student-athlete success with the annual Luteys Awards Show. 

Track & field's Grady Lemma was named the Dr. David Olson Career Impact Award winner and also won the George Fisher Scholar-Athlete Award while soccer's Hannah Cecil was tabbed Athlete of the Year and won the Dr. Sara Officer Career Impact Award.
 
Learn more about all the award winners here: LINK
 
International Success: Women's soccer student-athlete Ally Tattar helped the Lutes win a Northwest Conference title in the fall. And this spring Tattar was in Scotland, earning a national title for her club team at the University of Aberdeen. 
 
Learn more about Tattar's study away experience: LINK
 
Half Dozen at Home: The PLU football team released its schedule last week with a 10-game slate that features six home games at Sparks Stadium. It's the first time PLU has played six regular season contests at home since 2000.
 
All told, eight games will be played in the Evergreen State, including seven within Pierce County. Learn more: LINK