Lincoln star shines in four different sports for SJ-R's top female award
LINCOLN — The grind never ends for Becca Heitzig.
The Lincoln senior-to-be was fully immersed in summer basketball for the month of June before pivoting to volleyball in July. That doesn’t even include the running and conditioning for cross country and track and field.
Here are the SJ-R's girls track and field athletes of the year and all-area team for 2023
She generated 20 miles to perhaps as much as 35 each week — all the while adding CrossFit to her hectic schedule for more strength.
It doesn’t come easy, but the rewards are immense.
“It was difficult, but I think it helps me become a stronger person,” Heitzig said.
Flurry of success
Heitzig, The State Journal-Register’s Female Athlete of the Year, dazzled on all fronts throughout her junior year.
She claimed third place in the Class 2A cross country state meet at Peoria’s Detweiller Park in 17 minutes, 51 seconds after reaching as high as 12th place as a sophomore. She also underpinned Lincoln’s first Class 3A volleyball regional title since 2014 as a libero with 365 total digs before romping through the basketball season.
The Railsplitters never dropped a single game until bowing to LaGrange Park Nazareth Academy 63-52 in the Class 3A girls basketball state championship game for second place and a school-best 36-1 record.
More: 4 sports, 2 postseasons and 1 goal for this tough and versatile Lincoln High athlete
Heitzig missed several weeks due to a broken wrist but still summoned 10.1 points, 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game while starring alongside a talented junior class that includes Colorado State University commit Kloe Froebe.
Heitzig only followed that up with a second straight gold medal and a new Class 2A girls track and field state meet record of 2:08.48 in the 800-meter run on Eastern Illinois University’s blue track.
Heitzig couldn’t single out one particular shining moment of the year but plans to run in college and will mull over her options in the coming months.
“It all kind of combined to be a great year,” Heitzig said.
More: The State Journal-Register's girls cross country runners of the year and all-area team
She credited a cast of supporters to be sure. Her faith also keeps her grounded.
“For me, my faith is really important to me,” Heitzig said. “There are ups and downs with faith, but I just really focused on God. Being at the top level for athletics, there's a lot of anxiety and things that are involved with that. And focusing on him helps me cope with that.
“That's such a big thing for me and then just all of my friends and family supporting me, I'm just so grateful.”
Contact Bill Welt: 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: SJ-R Female Athlete of the Year for 2023: Lincoln's Becca Heitzig
