Athlete Spotlight

Kenneth Chilcoat

Hometown Seattle, Wash.

High School Nathan Hale

Year Senior

Major History

Kenneth Chilcoat has been one of Pacific Lutheran's top distance runners since coming to the school out of Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. Kenneth's running hero is his mom, Carol (Holden) Chilcoat, herself a former Lute who competed in the Olympic Trials in the marathon.

What were the major contributing factors in your decision to attend Pacific Lutheran University?
Financial Aid played a big role; PLU really hooked up me. My mother also graduated from PLU back in the day.

How has your family helped to get you where you are athletically?
Like I said before, my mom is a former Lute. While at PLU she ran cross country and track just like me, and she was Female Athlete of the Year in 1977. Post-college she really improved and qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Marathon. So having a good runner for a mom was the only reason I even thought about turning out for cross country in high school. I really wanted to play football, but my mom wouldn’t have it. My mom and grandma still come to the majority of my meets, so it’s nice to have their support.

If you have studied abroad, describe your experience.
I took a J-Term trip to England my sophomore year. It was a history class about WWII so it was very interesting.

What has been your favorite class at PLU?
Anything taught by Prof. Ericksen in the history department and Prof. Grosvenor in the Political Science department.

What are your plans after college?
I’m not really sure; I’ll figure that out in May.

Has it been difficult to balance athletics with academics?
Not really. In high school, running always came before school, but at PLU I’ve found that academics are a little more demanding so I’m trying to devote about the same amount of effort to both fields.

When your athletic career is all said and done, what is it that you would want people to say about you?
I would like to be looked to as somebody who didn’t give excuses and was a good teammate and leader.

Describe your hometown and what do you miss most about it?
I was born and raised in northeast Seattle. I love living in the city. I live right next to I-5 so when I lay in bed I can hear cars all night. Some people might find it annoying but I think it’s peaceful - kind of like crickets or water, I guess. I miss my high school friends but my house is only a 45-minute drive from PLU so it’s not too hard to go home and hang out with friends and family.

What is your favorite place on campus?
Wherever there is a PLU sporting event taking place. Volleyball, baseball, tennis, basketball, lacrosse, etc., I love it all. Watching PLU athletes beat another conference school, especially UPS, really makes my day.

What is your favorite restaurant in Tacoma?
Taco Del Mar and The Wagon Wheel.

What song is playing on your ipod before a game or event?
The Final Countdown from the Rocky Soundtrack.