Heyne keeps ‘mental load low’

BELLE PLAINE — Excelling in two sports simultaneously is a time-consuming challenge.

Trying to be among the best in the state in both is a step above that.

The golf/track and field combo can be common at small schools, and English Valleys’ Gage Heyne is the paradigm.

Heyne has become one of the best male distance runners in the state, but he’s a pretty good golfer too.

The Bears senior was a South Iowa Cedar League runner-up last season and a state qualifier his freshman season. The conference champion last season, HLV-TC’s Peyton Roth, also participates in both sports.

How does Heyne manage to compete in both at a high level?

Rest.

“A big thing for me in doing all these activities is rest,“ Heyne said. ”My school schedule helps me off with a senior release so I get to sleep in some. Recovery is also big in preventing any injuries.“

Being a distance runner and a good golfer requires a lot of time, so Heyne usually dabbles in both after school.

“At the end of the day I have a college class I can do whenever, so I go out and golf first and then go to track practice and sometimes back to the golf course after,” said Heyne of his rinse-and-repeat schedule.

Heyne also appreciates his coaches being easy to work with.

Recovery helps Heyne manages the physical side of athletics, but what about the mental side?

A calm attitude.

“I’d say hold no grudges. If you don’t allow anyone to get under your nerves you can’t really get mad, and it lightens the load,“ Heyne said.

”Keeping the mental load low is important.“

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The Bears’ golf team kicks off its season next week, while Heyne sets his sight on qualifying for the Drake Relays.

It has been a busy season for Heyne through five meets, and that was no different Thursday at the Belle Plaine boys’ invitational.

Heyne won the 800- and the 1,600-meter, anchored the winning distance medley and ran a leg on the 4x400 relay.

As of Friday morning, Heyne, sitting 10th in the state, would qualify for Drake in the 800. He’s on the cusp in the 1,600 and in the 3,200.

Heyne will have three more chances to improve his times before the April 18 deadline.

“We had three indoor meets, and we wanted to throw down some quick times in the 1,600 and 800 against some big guys,” Heyne said. “Drake, in the 800, seems to be the big thing right now.”

Heyne is looking for a drop his 800-meter time during the second meet at Iowa City West April 12. The competition will be a lot of Class 4A runners.

In the early going, Heyne already has set a personal best and set school records in the 800 and sprint medley.

As the golf seasons gets into full swing and Heyne reaches toward his goals in track, one thing will remain constant — Heyne’s attitude and mindset.