Statesmen of the Week: Jonah Heckenberg and Nayely Martinez

Oskaloosa–Men’s track and field athlete Jonah Heckenberg (Sr., Stockport, Iowa, Business Management) and softball player Nayely Martinez (Sr., Carson, Calif., Business Management) have been named Statesmen of the Week for the week of January 29-February 4, presented by Gardner-Collier Jewelry.

Heckenberg not only qualified for nationals last Friday at the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Open, he also broke the school record. His sixth-place effort in the 1,000-meter run of 2:29.79 hit the provisional standard and snapped a program mark that had stood since 2015.

One day later, the senior also finished 18th in the 800-meter run in 1:56.43.

Martinez also produced during the first weekend of the campaign, going 10-for-15 at the plate as the Statesmen split four games at the Dordt Tournament last Friday and Saturday. In the season opener, she was 1-for-3 against Doane and helped turn the game-ending double play.

The senior was then 2-for-4 against Northwestern and 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored versus Midland.

Martinez saved the best for last, however, posting a 5-for-5 showing against Dordt. She also scored once and drove in one run. The second baseman’s five base knocks tie for the most in program history (since 1999).

Located in Oskaloosa’s Penn Central Mall, Gardner-Collier Jewelry is your hometown jeweler and can help you celebrate any special occasion.