Heitzig and Froebe forever
immortalized at LCHS
[August 22, 2025]
Two of the finest athletes to ever wear a Railer uniform are
Becca Heitzig and Kloe Froebe and now each of them will have a
jersey on display at Lincoln Community High School.
Faithful fans who witnessed the success of Heitzig and Froebe and
future generations who aspire to be like these two wonderful human
beings will now get the privilege of admiring the very jerseys that
they wore during their incredible high school careers.
The framed jerseys will hang in the hallway near the Roy S. Anderson
Gym entrance, according to Superintendent Dwight Stricklin who
recently surprised both girls with this honor.
Becca Heitzig was thrilled
to see a framed jersey of her track uniform. Heitzig is a 2024
graduate of LCHS. (Photo by Teena Lowery)
Becca Heitzig
Heitzig’s jersey is one that she wore during her decorated running
career as a member of the Railsplitter track and field team. Heitzig
was also recognized by Stricklin for being a high-caliber four-sport
athlete.
“In my lifetime, I never expect to have another four-sport athlete
like Becca, with all that she accomplished,”said Stricklin, as he
revealed a large framed photo of her posing with state trophies,
medals and a very long list of accomplishments printed in all four
corners of the photo.
“When you look at all the different sports, not just competing in
the sport, but excelling,” Stricklin emphasized. “A state
championship in cross country, a state championship in the 800m, a
state championship in basketball and two points away from a state
championship in volleyball.”
The accolades are so numerous it’s really hard to remember them all
by heart. Heitzig actually won three 800m state championships in her
high school career and she won the 1600m state championship her
senior year, bringing her total number of state championships to
six.
Heitzig possesses absolutely insane talent and an incredible work
ethic.
Heitzig has carried that talent and work ethic to the next level.
She is in her second year at Iowa State University as a member of
the Cyclones cross country and track and field teams. But her heart
is never far from Lincoln and the memories and friendships she
treasures from growing up in this community. This latest honor is
something she can add to the list of treasures.
“Honestly, it means a lot because I remember as a kid coming here
and seeing my mom in the trophy case and just looking up at that
thinking that one day I want to be in there with her,” said Heitzig,
referring to her mom, Kim, who was an amazing athlete herself at
LCHS. “It means a lot to me to be able to have my place here.”
Heitzig was actually moving back to Iowa the day after Stricklin
surprised her with the framed jersey. But she took a moment to talk
about her LCHS days, saying that she reflects on her fond memories
here all the time.
“College has been great,” said Heitzig, “but you never have the
community and the people like you do when you’re in a small town and
going to high school. I miss the community and all the people and
getting to play sports with my friends. It was just incredible, the
support I had here. You get support in college but it’s different. I
will always cherish my memories here at Lincoln High School.”
Heitzig has always been one to keep herself busy and this first
summer “off” from college was right in line with the rest of her
life.
“I have been traveling a lot and running a lot and working some,”
said Heitzig. “My family went to Michigan. My brother and I went to
North Carolina to visit our uncle. And then my family, we went to
Mexico. The beaches were kind of sad because of all the algae right
now but it was a good experience. I did get to relax in the pool.
The pool gets my muscles worked out so that was nice. I love water
therapy.”
As for her plans once she’s back in Ames, Iowa, Heitzig said, “I’ll
begin with cross country and then I have goals for track. I am going
to be gunning for the 1500m record. It’s like 4:12 or something and
I’ve ran a 4:18. So that’s just something I have my eyes on. My goal
is to make it to some type of nationals this year, whether it’s on a
DMR (distance medley relay) or cross country or alone. Some type of
nationals just to get that experience, like making it would be
really cool and good to do. Those are some goals I have for the
year, running-wise.”
Heitzig is also looking forward to joining a church group at Iowa
State this year.
She will also be gaining new roommates, so a few changes are in
store for her soon.
“It’s a lot different this year because I am losing all my roommates
because of changes in the NCAA, so I’ll be making new friends
again,” said Heitzig. “That’ll be different and challenging.”
“My (Lincoln) friends and I sat down the other night and we were
coming up with our goals and they told me, “Becca, I want you to
meet one new person each month and tell us about it,” she said,
laughing.
Kloe Froebe, Jenna Bowman, Taryn Stoltzenburg and Alison Turner are
the Lincoln friends who told her she has to meet one new person each
month.
Still laughing at the frightening thought of having to meet so many
new people, Heitzig said of her current life-long friends, “We are
still very goal-oriented.”
Heitzig mentioned meal-prepping as another goal and ended that
conversation with a smile, adding, “We’re adulting and livin’ in
apartments.”
Since moving to college, Heitzig has become a hilarious person to
follow on TikTok. Hilarious because she’s so genuine about posting
her simple daily life, whether it’s in the kitchen or making a
Walmart run or picking up photos at Walgreens. Just Becca being
Becca.
“Oh, my TikTok, I just kind of randomly post things,” she laughs.
“This is my real life. I get bored and I am like, I am just going to
do this. I always have to be doing something. That’s why all the
sports were probably good for me.”
Heitzig had one final thought to add and that was her appreciation
for the people involved in her high school career.
“I am very grateful to Mr. Stricklin and the administration here,”
she said. “Thanks to Coach Meisner and all my coaches here. Coach
Taylor Rohrer and my grandpa Davis, who I know wants credit for my
jumper. I miss my basketball but I’m excited to see what I can do
with track. I am just so grateful to everyone.”
[to top of second column] |
Superintendent Dwight Stricklin and four-sport athlete Becca Heitzig.
- Photo by Teena Lowery
Kloe Froebe was completely
surprised to see her no. 5 jersey ready for display at LCHS. - Photo
by Kari Froebe
Kloe Froebe
Froebe’s framed jersey is the no. 5 that she so famously sported for
basketball. That jersey is admired not just by young kids in the
community but also older generations of Railer fans. The number is
also a favorite among the Froebe family. Kloe represented the number
well, earning both Ms. Basketball of Illinois honors and Gatorade
Player of the Year for girls basketball in Illinois her senior year.
“Kloe had the most accomplished high school career of any basketball
player, male or female, that we’ve ever had at Lincoln Community
High School,” said Stricklin. “As an educator, it’s more impressive
that she did this while remaining valedictorian of her class. Both
Becca and Kloe exemplify what it means to be a true scholar athlete.
They set the bar high.”
Froebe left a legacy at LCHS that may never be duplicated in this
lifetime. She re-wrote the record books as a four-year starter for
the Lady Railers basketball team, scoring a record 3,262 points in
her career.
She is now 5th all-time on the IHSA scoring list, passing names like
Candace Parker and Jewell Loyd. Froebe scored over 1,000 points in
each of her junior and senior seasons. Each of those years she
guided the Lady Railers to the IHSA Class 3A State Basketball
Tournament in Normal, Illinois. With the team only losing one game
in two years, they were able to bring home a runner-up finish and a
state championship.
Froebe was also a huge part of the team that placed second in the
2023 Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament.
She continues to inspire the youth in the community and generate a
level of excitement for all fans as she has moved on to achieve
success on the basketball court at Colorado State University.
Froebe was completely surprised by Mr. Stricklin as he presented the
framed jersey in her honor this week.
“This was such an unexpected honor that just fills me with so much
gratitude and thankfulness to Mr. Stricklin, Coach Rohrer and the
entire LCHS community,” said Froebe. “Having my jersey hanging up
for years to come is a dream I could have never imagined.”
“When I look back at my time spent at LCHS there are so many
memories that flood my mind but the thing I will cherish the most is
the bond that was created between not just my teammates and I, but
the entire community. I will forever cherish the time I was able to
play in front of such an amazing community every night.”
After a summer filled with basketball practices and a few days off
to visit home, run a youth basketball camp and see her brand new
nephew, Boston, and other family and friends, Froebe is ready to
embark on a second season with the CSU Rams.
Last year the team finished with a 22-10 record and Froebe started
18 games. She had a solid freshman season and she has a lot to look
forward to this year at Moby Arena.
“I am most excited about our potential this season at CSU,” said
Froebe. “I feel we have some really great assets and having a year
under my belt I am able to go into the season more confident and
knowledgeable about the game, so I am excited to see what we are
able to do this year!”
Froebe continues to set goals for herself.
“This year one of my goals is to focus on being a more confident
player and expanding my leadership abilities as well as attempting
to finish my homework early.”
Froebe is also very appreciative of the support this community has
shown her.
“Seeing my jersey in the case, a million unforgettable memories
flashed before my eyes and reminded me how much bigger the sport of
basketball is to me and in this town,” she said. “I’m truly so
thankful to all who were involved in this. I cannot say this enough,
but Lincoln truly is second to none.
A recap of Heitzig and Froebe’s fantastic freshman seasons:
Heitzig was the only freshman recruit at Iowa State to compete in
all three seasons: cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
Cross Country
Heitzig finished 65th at the Big 12 Championship in Texas with a
time of 21:33.4
Indoor Track
Heitzig placed 7th, earning a medal, in the Big 12 Indoor Conference
800m
Indoor PR 800m run 2:04.74 (4th all-time at ISU)
Heitzig ran 800m leg in the Distance Medley Relay at Alex Wilson
Invite at Notre Dame, setting a school record. Her time was 10:55.31
and the team is 1st all-time at ISU.
Outdoor Track
PR 1500m with a time of 4:18.82 at the Bryan Clay Invite (7th
all-time ISU)
Drake relays placed 2nd in DMR running 800m leg 11:09.58 (2nd
all-time ISU) and 4x800 (3rd all-time ISU)
Outdoor PR 800m 2nd place Cyclone Twilight in 2:06.54
Heitzig was the only Cyclone freshman to qualify for the West
Regional meet in 1500m and 800m.
As a Ram wearing the no. 1 uniform, Froebe averaged 19.8 minutes per
game while scoring 8.6 ppg. She played in 32 games and pulled down
4.4 rebounds per game and averaged 1.4 assists.
Froebe scored in double figures in eleven games for the Rams.
Her career-high of 22 points came on February 26, 2025 in a 61-45
win over Nevada.
On January 15, 2025 she was the only player to have 18 points and 18
rebounds in a game this season. The Rams won that game 62-58 over
San Diego State University.
In the Rams last win of the 2024-25 season on March 4, Froebe had 18
points and 10 rebounds in a 90-70 victory over San Jose State
University.
Congratulations to both Becca and Kloe on this recent honor and best
of luck as you embark on year two of your collegiate journeys!
[Teena Lowery] |
