IPSWICH – For Trevor Heinz the comeback has always been greater than the setback.

The Ipswich standout has incurred more than his share of injuries during his prep career, but has always found a way to battle back and make a positive impact in whatever sport he competes in.

Despite being a school record holder in multiple sports, the senior has learned to take nothing for granted. It’s why as he embarks on his final high school state track and field meet this week, he is as motivated as ever.

“I’m kind of used to being the underdog, but I still have that underdog mentally of staying hungry,” Heinz said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m on top or in the middle, always have to stay hungry. There’s always people working harder, always chasing me. That is just kind of motivation.”

And when it comes to sources for extra motivation, Heinz has plenty of options to chose from.

For starters there has been a myriad of injuries that have pushed him to the sidelines more than once. Going into his sophomore campaign, Heinz tore a hamstring that forced him to miss the entire football season. As he was preparing for the basketball that year, his broke his foot, and then during the conference track and field meet a few months later he tore his right hip flexor.

Heinz tried to run through that injury and was part of record-setting relay team at regions, before tearing his other hip flexor at the state meet. That injury was so severe he couldn’t straighten his leg for four hours.

“That definitely is hard to overcome mentally,” Heinz said. “It was just a want to give up moment, but I’ve never been a quitter.”

Through ever trial and tribulation, Heinz was determined to get back in the game.

Last fall in football, Heinz set school records for receptions in a single game and single season, and a state nine-man record for receptions. This winter Heinz and the Tigers bolted out to a 10-1 start to the basketball season, only to have the dreaded injury bug strike again.

Heinz broke his wrist, ended up having two pins put in place, and missed the most crucial games of the season. That setback stung just a bit tougher than the others.

“I’ve always kind of dealt with injures, but I’d say this basketball season, like those last couple of games were tough to be a part of, not being on the floor, especially watching State Bs,” Heinz said. “I thought to myself, I should have been on that floor.”

Instead, he focused on his final prep track and field season, and has a phenomenal spring, breaking his own school record in the long jump, and setting two other records as part of relay teams.

“He has been kind of riddled with injuries his whole career,” said Ipswich track and field coach Todd Thorson, “for him to be where he’s at, to fight back, you get two pins put in your wrist at the end of the basketball season and he hasn’t really missed a meet.”

Thorson recalled a situation at the team’s first meet that would signal things to come. Heinz was trying to figure out the best way to get out of the blocks while dealing with his wrist situation.

“He didn’t care if he got beat, he just wanted to compete. He understood the process of getting better,” Thorson said. “That was when I knew that Trevor was really in for a good year, when it wasn’t about the place he got, it was about the training process of just getting better every day.”

Heinz has grown accustomed to trying to make a name for himself. That’s what happens when your sister is Macy Heinz, one of the most decorated runners in state history.

“I’d say the biggest goal for me in working hard is just seeking my potential,” he said. “My sister had a pretty high ceiling and those are some big shoes to fill. It’s about filling it my way.”

While honored to carry on the family tradition, Trevor is also motivated to forge his own way.

“That’s part of it, just making a name for myself,” Heinz said, “not being Macy’s little brother for my whole life.”

Still, without question, Macy has served as a mentor and is one of the first people that Trevor contacts if something comes up.

“She’s definitely a great role mode to have. If I have any questions, she’ll be the first one to call,” he said. “She’s lived it. She’s understands it. She’s got a high IQ in the competitive realm.”

The younger Heinz, who is headed to Dakota State in the fall to compete in both basketball and track and field, has seen his role change through the years in terms of leadership. He now tries to set the tone for the Tigers through both his work ethic and his words.

“There’s definitely a lot more eyes on me. My junior year was more of working in the dark or behind the scenes, I guess,” Heinz said. “Now, it’s like working with the eyes on me, being around younger guys that are going to see my work ethic, and they’re going to respond to the way it should be and trying to set that example of what we are, who we are, what the expectations are.”

Heinz is the one that fires up his relay teammates, who currently own the top 400-meter and 800-meter times in Class B.

“For me, I’m making sure all the boys are on the same page mentally. Before we’re about to run, I say, ‘Go let the demons out, fellas! Get amped up! Get amped up!’ And I’m always that anchor leg, so I’ve got the most adrenaline sitting there watching all of those guys come around the track waiting for my turn, building that adrenaline,” Heinz said. “I love relays. Those are some exhilarating events, and when you put them together it feels great to win with a group.”

The versatile Heinz could probably compete in just any about event, and his willingness to do so does not go unnoticed by Thorson.

“What sticks out most to me about Trevor is his willingness to try anything that we ask for the sake of the team. … He’s never even questioned a single entry,” Thorson said. “He loves to compete and he wants to help the team any way he can and I really appreciate that.”

As Heinz is gearing up for his final high school meet this week, he has learned to appreciate every opportunity he gets to compete and is ready to make the most of it.

“It’s a privilege to be able to play. It’s one thing to preach that to younger kids. It’s not a given. You don’t just get to be here,” Heinz said. “Every play, every run, every race, every play in football, it all could be your last. You have no idea. You have to take advantage of the moment.”