Indoor Heps
This week we decided to pepper coaches and athletes with question after question, but the one that caused widespread agreement was, “Are you excited about Heps yet?”
Princeton’s Donn Cabral has been excited since November, but Dartmouth’s Alex Tanner, Cornell’s Bob Belden and Dartmouth’s Connor Reilly have him beat. And Yale’s Marty Evans has been excited longer than anyone we found.
Princeton’s Mike Eddy, on the other hand, doesn’t expect to get excited until Heps Week, while Cornell’s Melissa Hewitt and Columbia’s Byron Jones won’t find their butterflies for quite some time.
The responses from 22 Ivy Leaguers — covering all eight schools — are below:
Bob Belden, Cornell
I was excited about 2011 Indoor Heps the day after 2010 Outdoor Heps ended.
Thanithia Billings, Princeton
How could I not be excited for Indoor Heps? It’s my favorite meet of the year, and it approached really quickly. It’s hands down the most electric and intense meet that I’ve been a part of. I know there will be several near heart attacks, just like there are every year. I honestly can’t believe this will be my last one.
Donn Cabral, Princeton
I’ve been excited about Indoor Heps since the end of cross country.
Tim Carey, Penn
I am really amped up this year for Heps because I did not fully appreciate its significance last year, but this year is a totally different story. I just want to wish the other competitors the best of luck and lessss goooo.
Mike Eddy, Princeton
I tend to not even think about Heps until the week of the meet. I’m not sure if it is a coping mechanism for stress, but I definitely try not to think about it too much too early.
Marty Evans, Yale
Excited is an understatement — I’ve been determined to get there and contribute to my team since last February. Our focus is placed on Indoor and Outdoor Heps EARLY in the season, so as the days inch by, our anticipation only grows. It’s a meet like no other, especially indoors where uneasy silence is constantly pierced and filled with cheers every time the gun goes off.
Melissa Hewitt, Cornell
I really don’t get excited about my meets until the day before or sometimes on the day of the event. It’s not that I try to suppress my excitement or nervousness, it’s just that the whole competition thing doesn’t seem real to me until I see it unfolding. Then the butterflies come!
Ashley Higginson, Princeton
Heps is always a meet I look forward to and I cannot believe I am down to my final two. There is nothing quite like the spirit and the camaraderie of the Heps’ meet, where you are racing and competing against people who you know understand your struggles and efforts to balancing life scholastic and sports. The amount of mutual respect is tremendous.
David Irving, Dartmouth
I am really excited, last weekend was a good indicator of where things are as we taper in preparation for Heps. I can’t wait.
Byron Jones, Columbia
I am not excited about Indoor Heps yet. I know that I should be, but I guess it’s the freshman in me; I don’t really know what to expect. I know I will be though.
Kelsey Karys, Cornell
Yes! So excited about Heps!
Nihal Kayali, Yale
Absolutely! This will be my first indoor Heps, and I could not be more excited to don the Y at the Armory.
Leslie Kovach, Penn
I’m definitely excited for Indoor Heps … The atmosphere of the Armory is going to be very exciting for this event. I made sure to tell my parents to definitely come to this meet for the experience.
Mike Levine, Yale
The number one reason why I am excited about Heps — there is something about the Heps’ atmosphere that gets you fired up more than any other meet. This can lead to some great performances.
Colby Lubman, Brown
Yes! Ever since I arrived at our first practice in September the goal has been to do well at Heps. Over time, I’ve learned the significance of this meet and the importance of showing one’s school pride. I can’t wait to be a part of it!
Mel Newbery, Princeton
I can’t wait for Indoor Heps! It’s such a fun and spirited event, and the team really rallies and rises to the occasion. It’s a great chance to come together as a team and represent Princeton at a meet with so much history and character.
Connor Reilly, Dartmouth
I’ve been excited for Indoor Heps all season, and now that it’s just a few short weeks away I can hardly wait.
Maalik Reynolds, Penn
I am excited.
Brynn Smith, Brown
I am very excited about Heps! This meet is definitely the best part of Indoor season, and I cannot wait to compete.
Alex Tanner, Dartmouth
I’m so excited for Indoor Heps. I’ve kind of been looking forward to it all season. I’m super pumped to compete as a team, against so many other really great athletes, at such a phenomenal facility. At least for our team, Heps will be some of the best competition we’ve gotten all season, which is both exciting and will be very good for us.
Christina Twicken, Harvard
I am excited to compete in my first indoor championship. I am adjusting to the dynamics of indoor track and I know that Heps will be a challenging, but also rewarding, learning experience for me.
Nick Wade, Cornell
Absolutely! Some of the top times and distances ever recorded in the Ivy League have been set this year. Competition will be fierce (especially amongst clear rivals). I highly doubt there will be a single dull event. I received an involuntary adrenaline shot just thinking about it!
