Heidi Halemeier's Balancing Act

The Linn-Benton women’s basketball team has had an up and down season to say the least, injuries and lack of consistency have been plagued the team all year.

Halemeier lines up her shot. Photo by Marcea Palmer

One solid and consistent player however, has been sophomore Heidi Halemeier. Halemeier has been the rock in the middle for the team averaging 10.1 rebounds a game, which is good for fourth in the entire NWAACC conference.

Her story doesn’t just involve pulling down rebounds and taking on the biggest player her team faces each game though.

If you have ever been to a woman’s basketball game or practice for that matter here on campus you probably have noticed a not so shy and very cute little boy romping around cheering on the Lady Roadrunners. His name is Carter and besides being the biggest cheerleader the team has, he also has one of the hardest working moms on campus in Halemeier.

Halemeier was a star athlete at Santiam High School, where she won state titles and received over 50 scholarship offers to play basketball and continue her career. Her life however, changed in a different direction when she realized she was pregnant with her soon to be son.

After taking a year off and reflecting Halemeier was determined to get back to school and back on the court. She reached out and was able to land a scholarship here at LB and has not looked back since.

“Bringing her in was a huge recruit for LB, she’s one of our best players,” head coach Teresa Guerra said of her star recruit.

Heidi looks for an open teamate.
Photo by Marcea Palmer

Being the only true post player the team has put a lot of pressure on Halemeier’s shoulders, especially with some unfortunate injuries to her teammates, but dealing with adversity and pressure seems to come easy to Halemeier.

“She has a lot of pressure on her, but she steps up to the challenge. Her work ethic is amazing, balancing school, the team, and her son. You can see in her eyes how happy he makes her though,” said Alicia Love, friend and teammate of Halemeier.

Stepping up to a challenge doesn’t seem to slow Halemeier down, if anything it seems to motivate her as a student athlete.

“Having a child was an eye opening experience for me, I matured and realized the importance of life while understanding every day is going to be a challenge,” Halemeier said.

When she’s not trying to balance her homework, or practice, her son, or work at Allann Bros. most likely you will see Halemeier on the couch watching "Cake Boss" or in the kitchen making something she just saw on "Cake Boss."

“I am a cook fanatic!” she said

Her dream is to someday open a coffee/desert shop where she can show off all her baking inspirations. Her son’s birthday is weeks away and she already has the Ninja Turtle themed desert planned out.

Halemeier is an inspiration to a lot of students with children, who sometimes find the balancing act a struggle to deal with. Her positive attitude both on and off the court are remarkable and have helped the team stay positive.

“She faces more adversity being a mom and an athlete, but she is doing a great job and has a great outlook on life that is great to have in our program,” Coach Guerra said.

At a glance:
Grew up in Mill City Ore
Graduatued from Santiam High School
Has signed a Letter of intent to Oregon Institute of Technology to continue playing basketball
Major-Adult and family studies