Diamond in the Rough: Nolan Heitmeier, Holy Cross

Nolan is a senior kicker at Holy Cross in New Orleans Louisiana. Nolan worked diligently over the summer doing explosive plyometric exercises to increase fast-twitch muscle fibers and attending football camps at LSU and Wisconsin to deepen his knowledge of the sport and gain experience. He maintains a 3.6 GPA and has a 22 on the ACT. Nolan would love to major in the maritime industry when he begins college. Through experience Nolan has worked on his mental preparation and accuracy to make himself a reliant and efficient kicker.

 

Height: 5’10

Weight: 155

Bench: 180

Squat: 315

Clean: 180

GPA: 3.6

ACT: 22

40 Time: 4.9

 

What do you love about football?

The intensity and the atmosphere is unlike anything else. It is high tempo and there is really nothing to not like about the sport considering everything that goes on and how interesting of a sport it truly is.

When did you begin playing football?

I started playing when I was in 4^thgrade and I have always been a kicker.

Do you play any other sports?

  I also play soccer for Holy Cross.

In the summer what did you do to prepare for the season?

  I did a lot of explosive plyometric exercises to increase fast-twitch muscle fibers. I did workouts on my own as well as with the team. I attended football camps at Wisconsin and LSU over the summer. I mainly focused on speed and agility every day. With kicking it is very mental so I read books on how to prepare myself in certain situations and how to stay calm. I worked on my technique and trying to keep everything aligned and focus on having a better season than last year.

How was your season last year?

 Last season I went ten for fourteen field goals only missing three, one was a tip. I averaged four to five points a game. It was a great overall season for me in regards to accolades and getting more known.

Tell me about your academics and any accolades you have received.

 I have maintained a 3.6 GPA and have a 22 on my ACT. I received High Honors last school year. For soccer we actually won our first ever state championship this past February. For Louisiana Sports Line last year, I was All-State for football. Also last year for District 9-5 A I was unanimous All-District kicker. I was an All-Metro finalist on Nola.com.

What makes you stand out from other kickers in your district or in the state?

 Accuracy is a big thing. Accuracy is what makes me stand out from others. In my 3 years I have never missed a field goal inside the 25-yard line counting all the games. From 25-yard line and out I have missed around 4 total. My longest kick in practice was 57 yards and in a game, 41 yards against John Curtis.

What motivates you to continue to work hard?

 My goal is to make my family proud and show them I can be the best person I can be. Hopefully by next year around this time I can have my name on the back of a college jersey and have fans cheering for me.

What would your teammates say about you?

 They would say that I get the job done. There are no doubts about it when it is time to show up, I show up. I do my job and try to be the best I can be at it and I think that is a big part.

How would your teachers speak about you if they were asked?

 I think they would say I always have a good attitude and I am ready to learn. I am very involved in whatever happens to be going on in the class.

When you begin college what major would you like to pursue?

 Definitely the maritime industry which is involved with navigating the river from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

Have you taken part in any community service?

 For service hours for the past three years I have worked with the Algiers Sunshine Club. It is myself and a few other football players and we go and pack at least a thousand packages for the homeless or people that do not have the financial aid to help their family eat every day. We go and deliver these boxes during Thanksgiving and Christmas and it really helps them. Giving back to the community and helping these people makes me feel great inside. It makes me feel like a better person.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of this season?

  I want to win week after week and that is the most important thing for this season. Winning the state championship would be my ultimate goal.

What is your most important part of preparation being a kicker?

 Mental readiness is the most important to me. Considering that around 75-80% of kicking is mental. It is a lot like golf with all of the monotonous training. Everything is mental and about keeping your cool. It is not necessarily rising to the occasion but sinking to your level to where it is easy and smooth and nothing is changed.