National Girls and Women in Sports Day Pacific Lutheran University student-athletes share the positive influence that sports have had on their lives.

February 4 marks National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports. Pacific Lutheran University has been at the forefront of women's athletics with seven of the Lutes' 11 national championships coming from women's athletic teams. From hoisting NAIA national titles in softball, cross country, and soccer in 1988 to winning the NCAA Division III national title in softball in 2012, the Lutes have provided opportunity, access, and success to countless women over the years.

"Rowing has opened my eyes and shown me what I am capable of! It’s taught me grit and courage to seek out opportunities and build connections through hard work!" -Rowing's Suzie Roberts (Kinesiology major)

"The biggest impact sports have had on my life is the relationships I’ve built. Through my sport, I’ve met lifelong friends and formed meaningful connections that extend far beyond the field."

-Softball's Paola Garcia (Biology major)

"Lacrosse has taught me discipline by committing myself to the practices, lifts, and working during the offseason. I feel that I can take myself seriously when I set my sights on a goal."

-Lacrosse's Emily Mejia (nursing major)

"Sports taught me patience, growing in a sport is a lot of work and hard to do, it’s the same with life. My participation in sports has allowed me to become the SAAC national representative, which has already led to many opportunities outside of sports." -Golf's Emily Alicea (social work major)

"Sports have helped me in making new friends and learning valuable lessons of working hard. It has shown me that hard work will pay off eventually. You have to be patient with yourself through the journey."

-Soccer's Zoe Markquart (business major)

"Swimming is giving me a home away from home and always having a team that will have my back and support me. The swim team has also provided an opportunity to help out my community by providing swim lessons for those in Pierce County."

-Swimming's Ellie Cutting (Kinesiology major)

"Sports have taught me discipline and the importance of working effectively as part of a team. I’ve learned what personal success looks like and how to achieve it, but even more importantly, I’ve discovered that being a supportive teammate and helping others succeed can be far more rewarding than individual accomplishments."

-Volleyball's Audrey Hansma (business major)

"Sports have provided community. All of my best friends come from playing soccer throughout my life and connecting with them through it. Through the hardest of times, besides my faith, my team has been a rock who have always been there, ready to help and to receive all of my hardships."

-Soccer's Kaitlyn Lemus (Kinesiology major)

"Swimming has given me a community that I call my family, as well as a huge support system in and out of the water! Sports have taught me a lot about time management and discipline which has helped me excel in my academics and life outside of sports!" -Swimming's Riley Maher (Nursing major)

"Basketball has taught me the importance of faith, friends, and family. Every season, I'm poured into and able to pour into others, which has been one of my biggest blessings from PLU. God has been so good to me through the game of basketball!"

-Basketball's Emi Wada (Biology major)

"Sports have made me a better person mentally and physically and has brought me some of my best friends. " -Soccer's Kodie Bagcal (Nursing major)

"The biggest impact sports have had on my life is the sisterhood. Being on a team gave me friendships built on trust, shared memories, and showing up for each other." -Golf's Kate Sabarillo (Kinesiology major)

"Sports helped me cultivate amazing friendships, but also understand the value of hard work and being dedicated and committed to something."

-Soccer's Sydney Bonds (Criminal justice major)

"Sports have help me to gain confidence in my body and what it can do when I push it to its limits. It’s made me feel healthier and stronger!"

-Rowing's Adella Judge (Social work major)

"Sports have been very helpful in managing my mental and physical health! From having wonderful teammates to keeping myself active it really makes a huge difference in the experiences I have that are shaping me as a person and overall has added so much positivity to my college experience!"

-Lacrosse's Allie Weishaar (Social work major)