University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Meet the Newcomers: Heidi Schmitz
9/12/2019 3:45:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Get to know Gophers freshman Heidi Schmitz, a distance runner from Willmar, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Freshman Heidi Schmitz joins the Gopher track & field and cross country program as a distance runner from Willmar, Minn. Schmitz, who joins her older sister Sophie Schmitz in running for the Maroon & Gold, explains how she got into running, why she chose the University of Minnesota, her academic and career goals, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you get into running?
Heidi Schmitz: I started my program in Wilmar, Minnesota. It was a grade 6-12 program, and my sister Sophie, who is two years older than me, was in it as well. I was torn between soccer and cross country, but it was easier to be with my sister and I liked it. In sixth grade, it took off for me. I liked the coach, and all of my friends did it too, which helped. It was more of a social thing to start, but it ended up being something I was really passionate about.
GS: Did you play any other sports before that?
HS: I dabbled in soccer and did one year of hockey, but running was the only sport I could see myself doing long-term.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
HS: I'm very competitive with other people and especially myself, and this is a sport that you can 'race yourself' in a way. You're going against yourself and the stopwatch each race. It's not a political sport, it's all about who crosses the finish line first, and even if it's silly, it's all dependent on how hard you work and how into it you are.
GS: Was there a particular race or season when you realized running at the Division I level was a possibility for you?
HS: I would say my sophomore year. That was definitely my peak year, and I was injury-free. My high school team placed fifth in the nation. For the longest time, I wasn't interested in competing at the next level, but after that season and seeing my teammates who graduated that year commit to schools around the country, I saw that as a very cool accomplishment and thought that I could accomplish that, too.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
HS: My sister Sophie goes here, so that was a big plus for me. I wasn't set on it at first, I wanted to shop around, because my brother went here, my older sister went to UMD, so I didn't want to follow directly in everyone's footsteps; I wanted to be different. But the more I came here, the more comfortable I got and I saw that as a real leg-up. No other school clicked with me as much as Minnesota did. It's far enough away from home where I feel like I'm going to college and not just hanging out in my back yard, so that's nice, too.
GS: Do you consider yourself more of a track & field athlete or a cross-country athlete?
HS: Definitely more cross country. I like the long distance, and I like how team-oriented the sport is. I do my best running when I'm running for other people. I get more caught in my head when I'm running for myself. I think track is a lot more individualized, which has its good sides, but I like cross country a lot better.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in?
HS: I'm thinking sociology as of now. I would like to go into nursing as of now, and get my Masters of Nursing during my fifth year. That's what I'm working towards.
GS: What is it about nursing that you like the most?
HS: I'm very passionate about being there for other people. I'm aspiring to become an emergency room nurse in a big Twin Cities hospital. I like the psychology of it, the interaction you get to have with people and help them through tough times, and I think I have a clear mind under stress.
GS: What was your first impression of the team?
HS: They were all very friendly! Everyone has their quirks and is different, but they all mesh together really well. Everyone can be themselves without having to explain anything. I've had friends in the past that were passionate about running, but nothing compares to these guys. They're all here to run and are on the same page. Everyone has individual ideas, but everyone puts the team goals first.
GS: What are you most excited about for this year?
HS: I'm looking forward to improving my times, my academics, and I'm excited to meet more like-minded people. I know this year will be tough because it's such a big transition, but I'm excited to get into my groove and start the next chapter of my life.
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Gopher Sports: How did you get into running?
Heidi Schmitz: I started my program in Wilmar, Minnesota. It was a grade 6-12 program, and my sister Sophie, who is two years older than me, was in it as well. I was torn between soccer and cross country, but it was easier to be with my sister and I liked it. In sixth grade, it took off for me. I liked the coach, and all of my friends did it too, which helped. It was more of a social thing to start, but it ended up being something I was really passionate about.
GS: Did you play any other sports before that?
HS: I dabbled in soccer and did one year of hockey, but running was the only sport I could see myself doing long-term.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
HS: I'm very competitive with other people and especially myself, and this is a sport that you can 'race yourself' in a way. You're going against yourself and the stopwatch each race. It's not a political sport, it's all about who crosses the finish line first, and even if it's silly, it's all dependent on how hard you work and how into it you are.
GS: Was there a particular race or season when you realized running at the Division I level was a possibility for you?
HS: I would say my sophomore year. That was definitely my peak year, and I was injury-free. My high school team placed fifth in the nation. For the longest time, I wasn't interested in competing at the next level, but after that season and seeing my teammates who graduated that year commit to schools around the country, I saw that as a very cool accomplishment and thought that I could accomplish that, too.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
HS: My sister Sophie goes here, so that was a big plus for me. I wasn't set on it at first, I wanted to shop around, because my brother went here, my older sister went to UMD, so I didn't want to follow directly in everyone's footsteps; I wanted to be different. But the more I came here, the more comfortable I got and I saw that as a real leg-up. No other school clicked with me as much as Minnesota did. It's far enough away from home where I feel like I'm going to college and not just hanging out in my back yard, so that's nice, too.
GS: Do you consider yourself more of a track & field athlete or a cross-country athlete?
HS: Definitely more cross country. I like the long distance, and I like how team-oriented the sport is. I do my best running when I'm running for other people. I get more caught in my head when I'm running for myself. I think track is a lot more individualized, which has its good sides, but I like cross country a lot better.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in?
HS: I'm thinking sociology as of now. I would like to go into nursing as of now, and get my Masters of Nursing during my fifth year. That's what I'm working towards.
GS: What is it about nursing that you like the most?
HS: I'm very passionate about being there for other people. I'm aspiring to become an emergency room nurse in a big Twin Cities hospital. I like the psychology of it, the interaction you get to have with people and help them through tough times, and I think I have a clear mind under stress.
GS: What was your first impression of the team?
HS: They were all very friendly! Everyone has their quirks and is different, but they all mesh together really well. Everyone can be themselves without having to explain anything. I've had friends in the past that were passionate about running, but nothing compares to these guys. They're all here to run and are on the same page. Everyone has individual ideas, but everyone puts the team goals first.
GS: What are you most excited about for this year?
HS: I'm looking forward to improving my times, my academics, and I'm excited to meet more like-minded people. I know this year will be tough because it's such a big transition, but I'm excited to get into my groove and start the next chapter of my life.
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