ELMIRA – Julianne Heggie has been spotlighted as The Evening Sun’s Chenango County athlete of the week. Heggie is an Oxford Academy High School alum, and is now a senior at Elmira College. She is being spotlighted for her terrific efforts on the softball team at Elmira, where she was just recently been nominated for Athlete of the week.

Heggie has had sports in her blood throughout her entire life. “I’ve been surrounded by softball and baseball my whole life. My parents played softball and baseball in college, and when I was younger, all I can remember is waiting for my chance to play,” she said. “Soon enough, they signed me up for t-ball, and I haven’t put down the bat since.”

Her competitive edge stems from a years long rivalry with her three siblings, one of whom being her twin. However, she also attributes her willingness and eagerness to work as part of a team due to her upbringing. “I enjoy being part of a team and overcoming a challenge together, but I also enjoy challenging myself as an individual. Softball allows me to do both because, although it is a team sport, a great majority relies on each individual,” she explained.

Along with being a leader on the softball field, Heggie also is a member of numerous other clubs on campus, including the LISP (League of Intern Speech Pathologists), working as a lifeguard and also being a tutor. She is excelling academically, and was inducted into an education honors society. She is on track to graduate with Latin honors.

Looking towards the future, Heggie is planning to graduate on June 5, with a degree in Speech and Language Disabilities. Afterwards, she wants to further her education, attending the four-year Doctor of Audiology program at Towson University in Maryland.

When Elmira hosts Alfred State next Thursday, Apr. 7, Heggie will seek to continue the rich vain of form that she has been in to start the season, batting .462, driving in four runs and scoring eight more over a six-game span. Additionally, her .680 on-base percentages has her sitting atop the league leaderboards. “I’m so happy with my choice to play and am greatly appreciative that I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in the sport that I love. I’m really hoping for great things from my team this year,” she said.