Senior Spotlight- Matt Stilling

With the end of the school year, and graduation coming up soon, it is time to say goodbye to our beloved seniors 🙁 We will miss you all very much!

1. What are you getting your degree in and what are your post graduation plans?

I am majoring in computer and data science, and I will be working as a software engineer at Garmin after graduating.

2. What initially drew you to join the Wisconsin Track Club, and how did you get involved?

I went to high school with Ryan Unruh, our former treasurer, who told me about the club and encouraged me to join. Starting college in 2020 during the pandemic made for a challenging social life, but going to practice offered a great opportunity to meet others. In the midst of a locked-down campus, practice was a normalcy and often the bright spot in my day. I think that many of the other freshmen felt this same way, which helped us form a bond and become the best of friends to this day. Inspired to provide this same welcoming and rewarding atmosphere for future members, I decided to run for various board positions during my time here.

3. What was your most memorable moment with the Wisconsin Track Club, and why did it stand out to you?

There's so many! Any of the socials or meets would be fit to mention here, but one in particular that stands out was the first WTC camping trip in August of 2021. It was so great to be able to see everyone again after the summer off, and this was the first big "normal" event that we did as a club after the pandemic. From the classic Devil's Doorway hike to meeting Gary at Double K-D, we made so many good memories that weekend. I highly recommend going to the next camping trip at the end of this summer!

4. What will you miss about the club when you graduate?

Definitely all my fellow members! I have been lucky to meet so many awesome people through WTC, and it has been hard saying goodbye to everyone. Going on runs won't be quite the same without the Cows!

5. What advice would you give current or future WTC members?

Don't be afraid to take a step outside your comfort zone! Whether that is running for a board position, saying hi to someone new at practice, or anything in-between, WTC offers so many great opportunities that you might miss if you don't put yourself out there a bit. I would have never pictured myself as the president of such a great club coming into college, but I had that amazing opportunity because I made myself branch out. The same thing applies to your college experience more generally and life onward. I promise you won't regret it!

6. Do you have any last words you would like to say to the Wisconsin Track Club before you graduate?

It feels like just yesterday that I went to my first practice and our former president Brian enthusiastically welcomed me. Your time in college goes by faster than you could ever imagine, and you won't appreciate some things until they are gone; make sure to enjoy it! WTC will always have a special place in my heart – Cows Achieve!

Eagle Open

The eagle open is this Friday the 10th and is the last meet of the season! Good luck to all competing  on Friday and congratulations to all of the Cows that competed this outdoor season!!

Finals week

Want a break in your busy finals week? We'll be having unofficial practices held at the same place and time as usual! However, VP's will not be at these practices/leading them due to official practices ending and it being finals week.

Summer Track Series

As the school year is wrapping up, our preparations for the Summer Track Series – Wisconsin Track Club’s most important volunteering and fundraising event of the year – are in full swing.

What is the Summer Track Series?

STS is a series of community track and field meets organized by WTC that occur on various Thursday nights throughout June and July, culminating in the Dane County Championships at the end of July. These meets are put on at various tracks around the Madison area and are open to all ages and abilities. When we say “all,” we mean all – it doesn’t matter if an athlete is 5 years old or 75 years old, there’s a spot for them at STS! The Summer Track Series attracts hundreds of athletes every summer and fosters interest in track and field throughout the greater Madison community, making it a wonderful way to give back to this sport that we all love.

How does STS help the Wisconsin Track Club?

In addition to being a fantastic community event, STS serves as the main fundraiser for WTC. Profits from the meets go directly to lowering costs throughout the year for our members: reduced meet fees, free team dinners, fun socials, and more! For instance, we were able to cut the meet fee for NIRCA Nationals earlier this month roughly in half using funds generated from STS. A successful Summer Track Series means that we can continue to keep our club events affordable and accessible to all, so that’s why we need your help!

So how can I help?

Volunteer! STS wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers who ensure that our meets run smoothly. We truly appreciate each and every one of you! Volunteer positions include managing field events, working at the registration table, moving hurdles, and more. Stay on the lookout for a volunteer sign-up once we get closer to the meet dates.

All of the info for volunteering and to sign up for upcoming events is all found on the volunteering calendar. If you have any question or concerns contact our volunteer coordinator, Jenna Auth!