Madison, Wis. - Each week during the 2024-25 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.    

Senior Sam Blaskowski of Oshkosh (West) is in his fourth year as a member of UWL's track & field team. He has earned 20 career NCAA Division III All-America honors, including nine indoor and 11 outdoor. He won five national titles indoors, capturing three titles in the 60-meter dash and two in the 200-meter dash. Blaskowski has won six national titles at the outdoor championships, taking three crowns in 100-meter dash and one in 200-meter dash. He was also a member of the two national title winning 4x100-meter relays.

He was named the 2024 USTFCCCA National Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and the 2025 USTFCCCA Indoor National Athlete of the Year. Blaskowski is a five-time Region Track Athlete of the Year selection.  

Blaskowski has won 10 WIAC individual titles, including six indoor and four outdoor. Blaskowski was selected the 2022 and 2023 WIAC Indoor Track Performer of the Meet and the 2022 WIAC Outdoor Track Performer. He was also named the 2022 WIAC Indoor and Outdoor Newcomer of the Year.

He is a sports management major and business minor. 

Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
    The reason I chose UW-La Crosse was a couple reasons. Number one was family. My grandparents are just one mile away from campus. Both my parents graduated from here as well. Finally, the successful program of track & field here at UWL stood out to me and made me want to come and find success in both athletics and academics. My dad was also a wrestler here at UWL.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being an NCAA Division III student-athlete?
    The WIAC brings out the best in us track athletes. Our conference has proven to be the top conference in Division III, which allows us to be able to have the highest competition every single weekend we compete. Something that stands out the most is 2024 indoor national championships. The WIAC finished first, second, third and fourth in the men's track and field standings in the entire country which is filled with over 300 teams. Incredible.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's?  The kid's meal. Never fails. Burger, fries, and a free ice cream cone
Flavor of the Day from Culver's?  Oreo Overload
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  The union. Sandwich of the Day every day. Top Tier.
TV Show?  Money Heist
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Steak
Animal?  Cheetah
Smartphone App?  Clash Royale
Musical Group or Artist?  Rod Wave
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Green Bay Packers
Vacation Spot?  Europe
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
   Winning the 100 meter dash title my freshman year. Most eye-opening experience ever. Set me up for where I am today.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
   Cookouts in the kitchen or outside. Love creating some amazing dishes to make with my teammates, we get very creative and have a lot of fun cooking new meals every week.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
   Noah Lyles. Sounds cliche but the way he works at the sport of track, and how he wants to bring something more to sport is incredible to watch him do. The things he does daily and how much investment he puts into his craft is parallel to exactly what I strive for every day.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
   Work hard and stay focused on what you love most, and amazing things will come. Stay patient.
 
One word that describes you?
   Blaze.
 
What is your dream job? 
   Head sprints coach for a great school.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
1. Sky Dive
2. Visit Dubai
3. Run in the Olympics
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
   I played the cello for eight years and can make some crisp lines on the lawn.
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
   Do the same thing I always do, don't change anything just because the moment is bigger. Practice how you play.