Sophomore Michelle Heidbrink is a busy woman.
A student-athlete in every sense, Heidbrink is the No. 3 singles tennis player on the UNM women's team and a senator for ASUNM.
The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native, who is pursuing a double major in political science and philosophy, said she first picked up a tennis racket at the age of eight.
"I just got out on the court and decided that it was the sport I wanted to play," Heidbrink said.
She excelled in tennis and said the competition level rose when she got to the 12- and 14-year-old divisions. At 15, Heidbrink enrolled in the Weil Tennis Academy in Ojai, Calif.
"I was able to spend a lot more time on the court and I was around people that wanted to get better as well," she said. "We had a lot of one-on-one attention."
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While at Weil, Heidbrink attained a ranking of 20th in Southern California, and was in the top-100 nationally as a senior.
Heidbrink said she made numerous recruiting visits to various colleges as a senior. She came to UNM in September of 2000 to visit and was impressed by the team and head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz.
"I came here and met the team and met Kathy," Heidbrink said. "I liked everything about UNM. It wasn't too far from California, but it was far enough."
Teammate Tiffany Robertson, who has roomed with Heidbrink for the past two years, said Heidbrink balances her studies, tennis and being a senator remarkably well.
"She's really organized," Robertson said. "She's totally into it, though, being both a tennis player and a senator. I don't think I could do it."
Heidbrink who has a 3.4 grade-point average, said she decided to run for student government to represent her fellow students.
"I thought it would be a great experience to get involved, meet new people and make a difference on campus," she said. "It's also beneficial to my major."
As a senator for the Associated Students of UNM, Heidbrink sits on the steering and rules standing committee and the ad hoc recycling committee. She also is the undergraduate member on the Athletic Council, which deals with University compliance to NCAA rules.
Fellow ASUNM Sen. Andrea Brigman, who is on the recycling committee as well, said she is amazed by Heidbrink's ability to juggle the pressures of competitive college tennis, senatorial duties and classes.
"She is somebody that I really admire," Brigman said. "She does have a lot on her plate, but she never gives off that impression. Whatever she is doing at that moment she gives 110 percent. Because she does it so easily, she makes her success look effortless."
So far, Heidbrink has been successful in the classroom and on the court.
"I'm the kind of person that enjoys being busy," Heidbrink said. "There are days when I go straight from class to practice to senate meetings, but I enjoy it."
She said she will pursue a career in politics in some way when she is finished with tennis.
"I definitely want to go to law school and be a lawyer," Heidbrink said. "I want to be involved in U.S. politics in some way."
But for now, Heidbrink is concentrating on her duties as a student-athlete.
"When I'm on the court, I'm representing UNM," Heidbrink said. "And when I'm in the senate, I'm trying to help my peers."
Heidbrink and the UNM women's tennis team are on the road this weekend, facing Boise State University on Friday, and Washington State University on Saturday. The Lobos' next home match is Feb. 21, against Denver University, at the Lobo Tennis Club.
