Women's Indoor Track and Field

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Katie Schilling, UW-Platteville

Each week during the 2020-21 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Katie Schilling         
Institution:  UW-Platteville
Hometown (High School):  Saint Peter, Minn. (Saint Peter High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sports:  Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Major:  Civil Engineering, with an emphasis in Structural Engineering


Why did you choose UW-Platteville?
When I toured Platteville everyone was so nice, and I fell in love with the feel of the campus. The small class sizes were a plus in my book and they had my major and emphasis. I was also excited that I could run track, while working towards my degree.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I played intramural volleyball last winter with my teammate/roommate. I am a member of PSAAC. I am a student leader at the Catholic Newman Center.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I enjoy the high level of competition in the WIAC. I have always been pushed in my races to run harder and faster than I thought I was able. Without the competition in this conference, I do not think I would have been able to achieve the personal level of success I have reached during my time at Platteville. I also enjoy the dedication that my teammates have to their schoolwork. We are all student-athletes and I feel that we push each other to success both on and off the track. Running track is part of who I am and running as a DIII athlete allows me to still pursue that passion while also having time to dedicate to my studies and other responsibilities.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Culver’s Deluxe Burger
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Anything with caramel or peanuts
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  For studying I like the study rooms on the 2nd floor of Karman Library. For relaxation I like running in Memorial Park.
Movie?  Unbroken
TV Show?  Criminal Minds
Social Media Platform?  Instagram
Food?  Red Bell Peppers
Musical Group/Artist?  Thomas Rhett
Professional Sports Athlete?  Simone Biles
Hobby?  Riding motorcycle
Quote/motto?
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry” - Saint Padre Poi
 
What is one word that describes yourself?
Kindhearted.
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Anchoring the 4x400 is always a blast. My favorite is when I am able to catch someone in the last stretch of the race and beat them right at the end. My favorite individual race was when I won the 400 hurdles at the WIAC Championships in 2019 and set a new school record.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Take care of your mental health, your brain needs rest sometimes too.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Before COVID, we would treat ourselves to Olive Garden every once in a while and that was always really fun. We also like watching RomComs together on Friday nights.
 
If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why?
A head zookeeper at a large zoo so I could take care of all the animals for a day.
 
What is your dream job? 
Being a city or county engineer and overseeing the improvement projects for the community.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Compete in a Tough Mudder race.
---Travel to South America.
---Go on a castle tour in Europe.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I always wear the same socks and a French braid in my hair on race day. I also have a special way of getting in my blocks before the start of my race. I jump twice, shake out my legs, and slap my quads and calves and then I’m ready to go.
 
What is your biggest “pet-peeve”?
When people leave really messy tables at restaurants.
 
# # # # #