University of Minnesota Athletics
Around the Track: Mitch Hechsel
2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - Heading into his senior season as a member of the Minnesota men's track & field program, Mitch Hechsel already has a Big Ten title and an All-America performance under his belt.
But he's not content, nor is he done yet.
A native of Apple Valley, Minn., Hechsel wants to "shoot for the moon" in his last go-round with the Maroon & Gold, and this time he'll do so as one of the team's captains.
GopherSports.com caught up with Hechsel to talk about his time with the program.
First off, looking back now as a senior captain for the Gophers…what made you decide to attend the University of Minnesota?
My high school coaches really recommended the 'U' to me when I started exploring the possibility of competing at this level. Being from Apple Valley, I wanted to stay close to home - that was really important to me - and I knew I wanted to go to a great Division I school and program. Minnesota was a perfect fit for me.
With the success you've had competing in track, what made you get into running initially as a kid?
When I was in high school, I originally played baseball and I didn't really like it. My parents said I had a choice of either participating in sports and activities or go get a job. All my friends were going out for track, so I decided to give it a try.
You and fellow Gophers senior Nate Roese have been competing with each other since high school including posting the nation's fastest 600 meters in 2015 to finish first and second at the Big Ten indoor championships. Is that a healthy rivalry for you two?
Yeah, we have to keep it healthy. We've raced each other so many different times over the years - in high school state meets, at the Big Ten championships - we really push each other to be our best. We see each other every day at practice, and we keep it lighthearted and just have fun with the competition.
You're also both from the southeastern suburbs of the Twin Cities (Hechsel went to Apple Valley, Roese went to East Ridge) as are quite a few teammates (Hechsel was high school teammates with Jordan Charles and All-American Ryan Lockard went to Eastview). Is there a bit of pride among that group for the success you've all attained?
It's pretty funny actually…Coach always jokes about how much he loves recruiting from our area because pretty much every kid that we get ends up scoring in the Big Ten championships for us. He keeps going back to the well, and it keeps producing for us.
What are your personal goals as we get into your senior season at the University of Minnesota?
I'm definitely shooting for the moon this year as a senior…making nationals, winning a Big Ten title and earning All-America honors. Everything I've done in the past, I just want to do better and better this time around.
You were one of four captains to be selected heading into the year along with Luca Wieland, Gian Ferretti and Charlie Lawrence. What did it mean to you to be named a captain?
It's a huge honor. Knowing that the guys on the team think of you as a leader is really a tremendous feeling…it's not just the coaches picking who they think are the best guys for the job. It means a lot to be recognized like that by guys you are working next to every day of the year.
You earned All-America honors last year with a 14th-place finish in the 800 meters (Minnesota has now listed an All-American in the event for five of the last six years). Was that one of your top moments so far as a runner?
Of course. You walk into the Fieldhouse as a recruit, and you see pictures of Gopher All-Americans on the right and Gopher Big Ten champions on the left. I knew I wanted my picture up on both sides of that hallway, and that's something I'll be proud of for the rest of my life.
What do you have planned for the future once your time here at the 'U' has ended?
I'm going to see how this year goes and where things take me…potentially seeing if I can build a career running professionally. If not, I'm interested in business and sales after studying business and marketing education.
Quick Hits: Mitch Hechsel
Who Plays You in a Movie: Zac Efron
Funniest Guy on Team: Nate Roese
Smartest Guy on Team: Jordan Charles or Matt Rosen
Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Pump-Up Song: Katy Perry (I like to relax and lighten the mood)
Play Another Sport at the U: Basketball
Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber
Players Mentioned
