IPSWICH – Macy Heinz once held the South Dakota track and field and cross country scenes in a fascinating grip.
The former Ipswich standout couldn’t find a running event she was bad at. Distance running? She won state titles. Sprints and dashes? She won those, too. Middle distance. Gold.
Heinz, in fact, became the first runner in state history to win a state title in every distance from the 100-meter dash to the 3,200-meter run, a feat that took her five years to complete.
So it was with great anticipation that those familiar with track and field and Heinz, in particular, noted that she chose the University of South Dakota to continue her career.
Two years later, however, Heinz quietly made a change. And it was a big one. Heinz transferred to Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.
“It was great,” Heinz said of the move. “K-State was the best place ever. I have such great memories. I’ve just been reflecting now that it’s all wrapped up, and I think K-State was the best spot for me to finish it out.”
Heinz has no ill will from her time at USD, but said even as she committed to the Coyotes, she always felt like K-State was ultimately where she would end up.
“At first going to K-State seemed like a big jump right out of high school,” She said. “I loved it there, but being 18, it seemed daunting. … I’m still really grateful for the time at USD. It prepared me to be able to make that jump.”
And what a jump it was.
“Go from the Summit League to a Power 5 conference, there’s just an immense amount of competition,” Heinz said. “The intensity of the conference was really cool. I’m grateful to be a part of the Big 12 and part of the Big 12 championships. Just having the opportunity to be in that setting was huge.”
Heinz thrived in her new setting, shaving whole seconds off what were already solid personal bests. While her talents could have been honed in a number of different events, Heinz became an 800-meter specialist for the Wildcats, recording a number of top-10 finishes in a K-State uniform under the tutelage of distance coach Ryun Godfrey.
“I had an awesome time (at K-State),” she said. “I felt like I had the opportunity to pull every bit out of myself.”
But it wasn’t just athletic success that followed Heinz to the Sunflower State. She formed a niche there, even spending the summers between seasons in Manhattan. Admittedly, Heinz said that was partly to keep herself acclimated to the humidity levels of Kansas, but she also found herself carving out a life there.
“I formed a second home there,” she said. “It was my first time ever being out of South Dakota. I’ve lived here my whole life, but the friends I made and the memories I made were just as impactful as the running. I had a hard time leaving in May.”
Heinz graduated from K-State last spring with her bachelor’s degree and began a job this summer working as a Community Health Educator through the South Dakota State University Extension Office.
She said she’ll use what she learned both in the classroom and on the track in her new position.
“Being a student athlete has helped me learn how to care for yourself,” she said. “Eating right, sleeping right, being able to put it into practice taking care of my own health.”
But she’s not through with the Wildcats, either. Heinz is pursuing a master’s degree in public health through K-State.
Asked whether she’s through with running, Heinz hedged.
“It’s been in my life for so long,” she said. “I imagine I’ll stay involved in some way.”
