Heather Tobias, a senior mid-distance runner from Des Moines, Iowa is finishing up her fourth and final year as a track & field athlete for the MSU Women's Track and Field team.

In her four years at MSU, Tobias has run almost every event from the 200m dash to the 3000m steeplechase and is also a member of the cross country team. She has maintained running mid-distance events throughout the four years at MSU.

Tobias prepped at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa where she and her teammates won six state championship titles, three in cross country and three in the 4x800m relay. Individually she took sixth, eighth and ninth place in the 400m hurdles and finished twelfth and fourteenth individually in cross country state meets.

Tobias finished ninth place at the NSIC Outdoor Conference meet in the 400m hurdles and her 4x400 team finished sixth place during her Freshman year.

Graduate Assistant Lindsey Grasmick, who coaches long sprints and mid-distance, describes Heather as a very versatile athlete. "Throughout her career, she has run everything from cross country to the 200m, which takes a very special kind of athlete. Additionally, she has been a tremendous role model and leader for the freshmen group she works with, continually uplifting them with positivity and support."

What is your favorite event?
The 600m run because it is one lap shorter than the 800 and it goes by fast.

What is something that your coach does to motivate you?
Bribe me with a Pepsi if I get a PR

What is your favorite sport outside of track and field, why?
Swimming is my passion but I got injured in high school and I can no longer swim competitively. This shoulder injury was the reason I joined my high school's cross country team.

What are you planning on doing after graduation?
I will be moving into this cute little house in Des Moines with my puppy, Titan and my kitty, Ben. I will be looking for a career in human resources and plan on finishing my accounting degree.

What is an interesting fact about you?
My cat's name is Ben, but I can't say it. It sounds more like Bin and my roommates make fun of me for it. I also can't say pen or pillow. My E's and my I's are just a big mess.

What do you like to eat?
I like to eat Pizza Hut pizza from Target but not from Pizza Hut, popcorn, Pepsi when it's cold and Coke when it's warm, spinach and artichoke dip… you know the diet of a runner.

What is your favorite color?
Green but I always choose pink so I think my subconscious favorite color is pink but I like green… Not a lime green but the normal color green.

What is your favorite place you have ever visited?
Estes Park in Colorado and Niagara Falls. I liked them because they are outdoorsy and beautiful. I like to "neature hunt".

Who is your favorite person to follow on vine?
I like to follow all the animals – like kitties and puppies.

If you could marry anyone, who would you marry?
Captain Jack Sparrow… because he is funny and he is hot. I like Johnny Depp but I like him as Captain Jack Sparrow better. The dreads are hot.