As the Puget Sound track and field team finishes up their indoor season, there is a lot of potential for a promising regular season for the Loggers. There are many key athletes on this team, who have made the indoor season successful. One of these key players is senior collegiate athlete Maya Heck (Corvallis, Ore.).
She has been an important part of the track and field team since her freshman year, and to this day continues to inspire and lead her teammates on and off the track. Her main event has always been the pole vault, but she been involved in the other races, such as the 4×400 on rare occasions. Her career best in the pole vault was 2.75m during the conference championships in 2009. What makes Heck extremely unique is that she is currently the only female pole vaulter on the Puget Sound track team. When asked about being the only female pole vaulter Heck had a motivating response.
“It’s funny actually, and I don’t mind it too much. I don’t have brothers, but I imagine that this is what it would be like. I like the dynamic, because we call each other out on our mistakes, but we also support each other—it’s kind of a like a family. Although pole vaulting is an individual sport, it’s also very easy to get into a mental slump, and I think having the guys around always cheers me up when I’m not having a good practice. We can all make fun of ourselves which is good in such a serious event. Although I’m the only girl, I’m also the only senior so that helps, I think,” Heck said.
Heck has already had such a wonderful indoor season; it will be great to see what this talented athlete will do when the regular season begins. She will definitely be a spring athlete to watch this season.
“Being a senior this season, I have taken on a leadership role at least for the field events. There are new freshman throwers, vaulters, and jumpers and it’s been fun so far showing them the ropes and helping them feel comfortable on the team. Since I only started pole vaulting as a freshman, I feel like I haven’t reached my potential yet. It’s hard realizing that this is my last season competing at the collegiate level, but I think that mentality will push me to train harder and compete better this year because it’s my last one,” Heck said.
