NORMAL, Ill. (WCIA) – Despite a high school career which included four IHSA state titles on the track, and one in cross country — plus WCIA 3’s Female Athlete of the Year Award – Lincoln native Becca Heitzig sometimes struggled with confidence early in her college career.

“It’s just the imposter syndrome,” Heitzig told WCIA. “You are around all these great athletes. You’re in these races [with] people who are good in the nation. You look at them, you’re like ‘I don’t think I’m supposed to be on this line.’ Like, you don’t feel good enough.”

Running for Iowa State for her first 1.5 years of college, Heitzig had good days and bad – but ultimately decided it was time for a change after the 2025 cross country season.

Now, just five months in with Illinois State track and field, she’s feeling much more comfortable – and it shows in her times.

“I think just having coaches and people that believe in you, and knowing that you can do great things,” she said of finding a groove as a sophomore. “You’re meant to be there. Everyone has helped me to believe that this year… Last year it was really hard, I didn’t feel like I belonged on that line.”

Heitzig already holds two Redbird program records, clocking 4:14 in the 1500 and 2:46 in the 1K.

“I don’t focus a whole on the school record,” she said. “I kind of just focus on doing my best. The coaches don’t put a whole lot of pressure on me. They believe in me a lot, but they just want me to go out there and run my own race… I think I have really good training partners here and we push each other in workouts and that has really helped… Making sure my identity is not in the sport and just kind of going out and having fun has helped with my success.”

She also won a Missouri Valley Conference title indoors in the 800.

“Everyone has life outside of the sport as well,” Heitzig said regarding her and the Redbird program being a good fit. “I think that’s important – to be involved in a small group, or be involved somewhere on campus. That’s also important, not just running.”

“She is certainly one of the most standout performers that we’ve brought to Illinois State in my 20 years here,” Illinois State head track and field coach Jeff Bovee said.

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