Education Magazine

Excellence In Education Lincoln Daily News January 25, 2023 Page 41 While setting new records and getting recognized on the gym wall is truly an accomplishment, the most stellar stat of all is that the entire junior class of six Lady Railers is in the top ten percent of the Class of 2024. Those amazing student-athletes are (in alphabetical order): Jenna Bowman, Kloe Froebe, Tori Geriets, Destinee Harper, Becca Heitzig and Taryn Stoltzenburg. The Lady Railers head coach, Taylor Rohrer, has been around these girls for several years now and she has seen firsthand how hard they work on and off the court. “This team is led by an outstanding group of juniors,” said Rohrer. “They are very supportive of one another and enjoy it when their teammates find success. They not only help each other achieve goals both on the court and in the classroom but they also do the right things in the gym and in the community. They set great examples for the younger players coming up in the program and are outstanding role models for the future Lady Railers in our community.” Class rankings are confidential, but Rohrer could say confidently these girls are in the top ten percent of their class. The girls also confirmed this to be true. In fact, Rohrer has not had to handle any issues with her student- athletes and their grades. Let’s just say they ALL make the grade. “I don’t really know their grades unless I get an ineligibility slip or a warning slip and that’s really the only time I see their grades,” said Rohrer. “It’s very private information. My requirements are just for them to get their studies done. They are students first and athletes second, and if they are struggling in a class, they are to go get help. You cannot be an athlete if you are not a student first. They are expected to get the grades and both the Varsity, and the JV do an excellent job of getting good grades. They work hard to meet those requirements.” Lincoln Community High School Superintendent Dwight Stricklin is also very proud of this group of Lady Railers and had high praise for them. “Our girls are the epitome of what it means to be student-athletes,” said Stricklin. “For as hardworking as they are on the basketball court, they work even harder in the classroom. They represent everything about what it means to be a Railsplitter. Railer Nation could not be prouder of them!” It’s time for you to meet these very goal- oriented girls, and that particular set of words came from Becca Heitzig. Let’s start with Heitzig and the junior class first. In their own words, they will tell you about themselves and even share a little more information about school and basketball. JUNIORS Becca Heitzig “My parents are Kim and Tim Heitzig, and they are physical therapists in Lincoln (as an athlete, I am pretty lucky to have PTs as parents). My mom’s maiden name is Kim Davis, and she played basketball and volleyball and ran track at LCHS. My dad grew up in Alton IL. My brother, Brenden Heitzig, runs track and cross country at LCHS Continued --