My name is My name is Victoria Heiligenthal and I was a member of the University of Wisconsin cross country and track teams from 2019-2024 where I mainly competed in the 1500m. I graduated in 2023 with my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and again in 2024 with my M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from UW. I am currently based out of Baltimore, MD where I work as a Field Test Analyst for Under Armour. In this role, I aim to listen to the needs of athletes and advocate for them when testing apparel and footwear products before they go to market to ensure athletes are give the tools they need to compete at their highest level.

Sarah and I were in the same class at Wisconsin, quickly building an incredible bond as one of my roommates, best friends and teammates. Sarah was such a bright light in my life, always bringing a fun and light-hearted energy to any occasion. While some moments seemed insignificant then, like studying at a coffee shop or sitting around our apartment talking, they are now such special memories I will cherish forever.

After Sarah’s passing, mental health advocacy, for others and myself, has become incredibly important to me. As a junior board member of the Sarah Shulze Foundation, as well as a member of Athletes for Hope, I have aimed to continue to bring awareness to mental health and share Sarah’s story. Although I am no longer a student-athlete, I strive to change the culture of mental health around athletics and to make an impact in any way that I can. and I was a member of the University of Wisconsin cross country and track teams from 2019-2024 where I mainly competed in the 1500m. I graduated in 2023 with my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and again in 2024 with my M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from UW. I am currently based out of Baltimore, MD where I work as a Field Test Analyst for Under Armour. In this role, I aim to listen to the needs of athletes and advocate for them when testing apparel and footwear products before they go to market to ensure athletes are give the tools they need to compete at their highest level.

Maddie is a University of Wisconsin 2022 graduate, where she completed bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She graduated with her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from UW-Madison in 2024. Maddie now works at Capture Sports and Entertainment where she helps professional athletes achieve their philanthropic goals to make a positive impact in the world.

While at Wisconsin, Maddie competed on the cross country and track and field teams. This is where she met Sarah, who quickly became one of her closest friends.

Maddie and Sarah spent summers together, went on trips and always were laughing and having fun together.

Mental health advocacy is a priority for Maddie. In addition to being a junior advisor for the Sarah Shulze Foundation, Maddie is also a member of Athletes for Hope, an organization that focuses on improving mental health for athletes. Maddie feels that the culture around athletics still has a long way to go to prioritize the mental health of its athletes, and she works as an advocate on social media to help change that.

My name is Lexi Westley. Originally a native of Hackettstown New Jersey, I graduated in May of 2024 with my Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Sports Leadership, with a B.S. in Health Promotion and Health Equity. 

During my time at UW, I was a key member of the Women’s Cross Country and Track teams, an executive member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), a volunteer coach for Badger Track Club, and a Girls on the Run Coach at West Middleton Elementary School. These experiences help aid my dedication to nurturing talent and promoting physical and mental health from a young age.

I am a dedicated Junior Advisor at the Sarah Shulze Foundation, where I channel her passion for health and wellness, mental health advocacy, and women's rights into impactful community initiatives- combining experience in athletics and coaching to drive meaningful change.

I aspire to coach at the collegiate level or work within the NCAA or professional sports, where I hope to influence the future of athletics and advocate for key changes in mental health. My dedication to health promotion and educational policy reflects my broader commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all, each being a key focus of SSF and passions close to Sarah's heart.