Alan Babbitt: It's been an absolute blast for me this summer to talk to different people at Hope College and the Hope College Athletics family who make our pursuit of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences a reality. It's a great pleasure to join me today two very, very talented student--athletes in Ana Tucker and Heleyna Tucker, who have quite the story — multi-team championships here at Hope, individual accolades, and some great academic success as well. I look forward to talking to them on the Orange and Blue podcast. Welcome Ana and Heleyna.

Ana Tucker: Thank you, glad to be here.

Heleyna Tucker: Thank you.

Alan Babbitt: I want to start before you even dreamed of coming to Hope College, being student-athletes and graduating from Hope, a long long time ago, you came into this world together and even though two of you are here you weren't just twins. You were part of triplets, which is pretty unique. Then to have two of you come together all this way, full circle to college and can be teammates together. Let's start there. When you were born — and I should mention your brother Charles, a University of Michigan student, as well. Was this expected by your parents? Did they know they were having triplets?

Heleyna Tucker: I'd say they definitely didn't expect it, I feel like no one really expects to have triplets, so you're definitely surprised. I remember talking to my dad before this, he saw the ultrasound he was like, 'Guess we're having triplets.' I'd say it was definitely a surprise to them. Our brother just graduated U of M and doing well.
Anastasia Tucker: They had no kids before us. So they had to learn how to take care of a child for the first time. But, times three. I can imagine, that'd be pretty overwhelming and surprising for them, for sure.
Alan Babbitt:  I know a lot of times when it comes to twins or triplets that some of it can be hereditary, it's just in your family. Some of it is other reasons as well.  Do you guys have any other relatives that have, twins or triplets or anything like that?

Ana Tucker: Nope, we were the first so thankfully it's not hereditary. I'm not sure I would want to have triplets.

Heleyna Tucker: Yeah. I don't think so.

Alan Babbitt: When did you both first realize about each other? Obviously, your siblings you kind of grow up but I have triplets. It's just not something that a lot of families have they have perhaps a lot of siblings but not necessarily triplets. When do you guys first realize, that you were triplets?

Ana Tucker:  I would say we really start to realize that we're triplets and that we're all the same age when it comes to big life decisions. That's when it becomes very clear. We all have the same amount of knowledge in the same amount of life experience because, for example, in things like applying to college or getting your first job, usually there's maybe an older sibling to help direct a younger sibling. some sort of passage of knowledge like that. But for us when a big life moment comes up, we just kind of all look at each other and we're like who goes first? Who does this big thing first? Then we can kind of teach each other about it. I'd say that's when we really realize that we're triplets is in those moments.

Heleyna Tucker:  I'd say we're going through a lot of things together. At the same time, applying to college, Charles is applying to college so I guess I should start my college applications too. We kind of like bounce off each other that way.

Alan Babbitt: That bond just as siblings, Heleyna what do your sister and your brother mean to you?

Heleyna Tucker: They mean so much to me, I feel like I can't even really put it much into words I'll start with Ana. Ana I'd say is more of to herself, more introverted. She knows when to say no and I'm probably sometimes don't know when to say no. I just always say yes. She says 'What are you doing? You're burning yourself out — stop saying yes,' all these things or vice versa. Charles is such a goofy guy. I wish he was at Hope sometimes just to exist and some people could get to know him but yeah sadly he's not here. He's a very similar, kind of goofy guy. Definitely lightens up the mood. I feel like we're all kind of bouncing out each other really well. 

Ana Tucker: We all have different personality traits and over time, I think we really just learned how to balance each other out, as Heleyna said. Each other strengths would fill each other's weaknesses. So if I'm feeling like I'm not in the mood to talk to people holding a little, just talk to people and let's get to chill, not do anything and things like this. So that bond is really noticeable. When we're apart is definitely noticeable that we're not on each other's friends anymore. So when Heleyna and I went to Hope, it was very noticeable that Charles was away and that there wasn't that balance Now, Heleyna and I are going to separate schools, to separate grads programs. It's definitely noticeable that we're a part. Now all three of us are apart it's definitely the bond is noticeable and when we're apart, It feels like there's kind of something missing for sure.
Alan Babbitt: You have a shared passion for running, when did that become something? Was it the same time that you started running competitively and realized or did you come to it together at that from different paths?

Heleyna Tucker: Ana honestly started running before I did. A fun fact about me is I actually figure-skated for four years before I decided to run. I did that when I was eight to 12ish  I'd say I honestly started running, what'd you say fourth grade? I saw Ana having all this fun running and then I realized I really like to run. I started running probably around seventh grade and that was kind of just like we were having some fun. It was pretty good for her age back in the day, I'd say but yeah, we kind of just started running more competitively, more often. And then high school, I'd say, that's when we started to realize, we could probably run in college. 
Anastasia Tucker: We actually both joined a program called Fleet Feet. I remember and it was a small run club in the area. We had a lot of fun in that. And I remember Heleyna you actually didn't have running shorts yet at the time you would run in jeans.

Heleyna Tucker: No, I didn't. I was so my figure skating phase.

Ana Tucker: Eventually you got run in shorts..

Heleyna Tucker: Eventually, I did. Yeah. Smart.

Alan Babbitt: Then you get the opportunity once we get running shorts to be teammates, what is it meant for Both to have each other as teammates?

Heleyna Tucker: Okay, I feel like I would say, the same thing. I feel like being teammates through team phases, middle school, high school, different coaches college, we know each other so well, and how we race and just how our body is more racing. I can kind of tell if on his racing once you struggling more and maybe someone who's just like a regular watcher is like she's fine. I'm like no I can tell she needs more of a push more of somebody like that or I can tell when she's really strong so I feel like we can kind of tell when each other struggling with each other's doing really well and things and I feel like we just know the right things to Day to each other, before races, the hype each other up. So we kind of gained that throughout being teammates throughout so many phases in our lives.

Ana Tucker: It's interesting because Heleyna and I have had the opportunity to know each other through every stage of running. Typically somebody might be on an elementary school team with somebody then somebody else is on a middle school team and someone else is in a high school team. This one else is on the college team and you never get a chance to know somebody through all of those stages but Heleyna and I have been together through all those stages. We've had the opportunity to really get to know each other's running styles And get to know how we need to cheer for each other and stuff. I plan, to always know exactly the right thing to say the right time. She's screaming at nationals, losing her voice.

Heleyna Tucker: I get into it. Yeah, my voice wasl lost ta nationals. Worth it.

Ana Tucker: We have a lot of fun.

Alan Babbitt: How did you find Hope? Was Charles the first to start, looking at college, you obviously grew up in Midland and started to figure out that stuff in high school. Was he the first one? Or like you mentioned earlier?  I think that I better start looking at college. And then, how did you find Hope together? Was that a joint Research or was that on your own and then you guys ended up to the same place?
Anastasia Tucker: I think we all started looking for colleges kind of around the same time. Charles might have started looking a little earlier than us. That sounds like something you might do. But yeah, we actually didn't know that much about hope. Our dad had gone to a small school in Michigan, so he really liked the small school atmosphere and so he was the one who encouraged us to visit home. And then we found out that it was just a really great fit for both of us. And it never was something that we set out to do. We were never like we wanted to go to the same school but Hope just seemed like such a great fit for the both of us that we decided that we would both go there.

Heleyna Tucker: I feel like the difference was at least for Ana, I wasn't a hundred percent sure that I could run in college until I started visiting more colleges but I feel for Ana in terms of the smaller school but the running program was really good. I hope that was a big difference and then also just the team like Anastasia. We visited a few times before we decided to go and the team atmosphere was definitely. One of those things that we were that really sold us with hope. But yeah, we weren't like if you decide to go I'll go. It was like we'll both decide individually and we both end up going to hope that's great. That's like both of our own individual decisions but yeah.

Alan Babbitt: That was really the first time Charles I went to Michigan State first, and then transferred to Michigan. That was the first time, the three of you were not together. How long did that take to kind of get over? Did It take a little bit? Or it was just one of those things that was just there. You just learned to kind of like it's different without, his humor. yeah, everything that he brought to brings to your family

Ana Tucker: It took a while to get over, I feel like for the first semester, it just felt for most freshmen. They feel a little bit homesick at least but for us, there was just a little bit extra of weight. Our sibling, our triplet isn't here. I would say, it took at least. a semester or two to kind of get used to that and we figure it out how to kind of find balance a little bit more without the

Heleyna Tucker: Of course in the world of technology, it's definitely nice that we have ways to call him and FaceTime him and all that. But yeah, I'd say it definitely was a hard time when we went to college. Sometimes we couldn't celebrate our birthday altogether because our birthday is before we moved to college. So that's a really hard time for us to celebrate. So that was a big transition for us, not celebrating our birthday the way we normally would over the summer. But yeah, it was definitely a transition. I'd say, especially around the holidays to not have all three of us like we normally would

Ana Tucker: It was always interesting to hear about what Charles was up to away from us because he got into some really interesting things He was a part of their marching band. And so he had a lot of interesting stories to tell us and interesting things to share with us about marching band and then we could talk to him about track and cross country. So While it was sad to be a part, it was really interesting to hear about what each of us was doing away from each other as well.

Alan Babbitt: Then you're probably just getting into obviously found your rhythm kind of adjusting and then the pandemic hits and everything gets thrown around. How helpful was that to have you together during that time? That was challenging for all of us and then kind of messed with athletic and academic schedules. It wasn't a normal experience and you guys had your teammates, but you had each other two to kind of work through that. Just how did that shape you that experience shape you as women?

Heleyna Tucker: Yeah I mean I'd say definitely was a big transition at first because we were freshmen when the pandemic hit. So we weren't seniors leaving I'd say, went during our senior year, it was like our team is like our family, but it's freshman year. You don't know everyone that well, but I felt like having honor there with me because we moved back to Midland for months. But having her, there with me and training with her, definitely gave me that sense of having a team. We would do this fun thing where sometimes Anna just goes too fast for me. So I can't do a workout with her but we'd go get ice cream after together as a little reward or something like that, a little side quest for us. So that was really nice and we got to talk about the team together. So I'd say that was a really important part, especially as a freshman, to have some part of the team with you throughout such a hard time. Then we started to train and stuff over that time and I'd say that was definitely a tough thing. But definitely made it a lot better for me.

Ana Tucker: Yeah, we were able to still have a good amount of fun together during COVID, just through things like those ice cream, runs we go, our hammocking a lot. We were able to support each other. Through the highs and the lows of quarantine. And it was nice to have Charles there to hang out with during COVID, because there were other people that were my age and could really relate to the situation. We were all going through it together, We were in the exact same grade. So we were able to really just cope with COVID together and that helped a lot.

Alan Babbitt: Then your studies too. You took your own unique path with your studies. Tell us about kind of what you studied at Hope and kind of some of the memories you have from your educational pursuits.

Ana Tucker: So Heleyna is a math major and I was an exercise science major and I'm going to physical therapy school and Heleyna is doing a mat, a stats graduate program at U of M.  The official name is applied statistics. Yes. And so I just thought that it was really interesting that we decided to go such different paths because it really helped us to balance each other out. I also attempted to do an art minor. I didn't finish it, but it was really fun while I was doing it. We were able to just support each other through that. If I have to take physics for physical therapy and that has a lot of math. So I was able to go to her and be like "Hey Heleyna, how do I do this math problem?" and she would help me out and then if Heleyna had to do an art project or if she had to know something about psychology or the human body she would come to me. We were really able to help each other out through our different strengths and weaknesses. it was really interesting.

Heleyna Tucker: I'm a math Major. I didn't come in to Hope thinking I would be a math major but I declared it as a major at the end end of my sophomore year but I would never change that decision. I love math now. But yeah, something like psychology, I took a psychology course, my senior year and I realized I don't really know how to study vocabulary for an exam. So then I was like, "Ana, How do you study vocabulary?" She's taking anatomy. all those that have all that vocabulary, that you memorize the definitions for things and I was like How do you do this? I don't know how then she's okay. You're gonna Do this and that and then it actually really helped. So I feel like we definitely have different paths but we can go to each other for help when we're taking certain elective classes or gen eds which is really helpful.

Alan Babbitt: And on top of, studying in college and graduating, that's challenging enough. You obviously both chose to be athletes as well, members of the cross country and track and field teams for the both of you. Why compete in college? What did you gain from that? 

Heleyna Tucker: I feel like going into college and having that dynamic where we had, a time to meet and time to practice at 4 pm every day, for example, it was a nice structure that we had that we wouldn't otherwise had we know all of our teammates are going to be there at 4 pm and we're all gonna like Charlie hard but we're also going to have that friendships and stuff. Formally it's kind of daunting to come into a school. Even if I knew Ana I didn't really know many people from my high school that went to hope. So I was cross country was just a way and track was a way for me to get to know. Other people. So I feel like that was definitely a thing. We both gained from running on the team and stuff like that.

Ana Tucker: Yeah, running is a huge stress, reliever for me and I would say for a lot of people on the team, you can have a really difficult day and then you just get to practice and you get to run and you get to have fun conversations with people. Sometimes we'd get dropped off at the beach and we'd get to jump in Michigan afterward and no matter how hard the day was practice, would usually take some of that stress and anxiety away, and really just help ground you and the rest of the team and you're able to have just a moment of fun, of guaranteed fun each day. And that was something that really motivated me to join a collegiate program. I'm running is also in just all other sports, really teach discipline, and time management and so those things are definitely something that you can take into your academics and it definitely shows because I feel like a lot of athletes but a lot of runners on our team. Certainly were succeeding in school as well and taking that same mindset of determination and dedication into the classroom. So

Alan Babbitt: Then whether it be athletics or academics or elsewhere. I know there are a lot of people on this campus who work hard to help the student-athletes in particular, but students in general, just have the best experience at Hope and find where they want to be. I'm sure we could probably more people than we can mention, but who are some of anybody in particular, or a couple of people jump to mind that made a particular imprint on you, whether they realized it or not? But they kind of helped you through your journey at home.

Heleyna Tucker: I bet we would both say Norty, our head cross country coach (Mark Northuis). He's definitely been someone to shape us and talk to us if we're struggling. he helps us in any other aspect because going to college is a big transition is not having your family there. You don't have your parents to talk to and I feel like your coach kind of becomes like that, an adult figure for you to talk to you if you have an issue or they kind of know if something is wrong and you don't want to say it and they're like, what's wrong, either you walk in and Can just tell. so I'd say for me running wise, definitely coach Norty and then academic wise. I'd say, all the math professors for me have been such amazing influences on me. I mean to name one, I remember in my freshman year I took a Calc 2 class with Aaron Cinzori. I don't know if you know who that is, but he's a math professor and he just really impacted me my freshman year and made me really want to pursue. being a math major, and look more into that in the future. So yeah. And all the other math faculty really. They're amazing.

Ana Tucker: Norty was definitely a really great mentor figure throughout my time at home. He went above and beyond for the program he would pay attention to every person. If he noticed that you weren't doing well, he really cares a lot and asks you how you're feeling. He did so much for the program and I had the opportunity to have him as a professor and as a research advisor. He just did so much and in those aspects as well,, definitely an amazing mentor figure throughout my time at Hope. Other than that, the entirety of that exercise science faculty was amazing. I feel like they prepared me so well for PT school and it wasn't really feel confident going to PT school that they were there just to name a few. Dr. (Maureen) Dunn helped me a lot through my metabolism class. She was really great, and she really knew how to push us hard and how to help us reach our potential Dr. (Brian) Rider and I worked on a research project involving running watches and so he really helped me get more passionate about exercise science through doing research about running and then Dr. (Paula-Marie) Ferrara as well, we went to a couple of research conferences together and she's just so friendly and so amazing. So, Yeah, I definitely like A lot of the professors and coaches at Hope are there to help you and they're just great.

Heleyna Tucker: I have to add my research professors too because I just thought about that when you were saying that. I did research with Dr. (Darin) Stevenson and Dr. (Brian) Yurk. They were also great influences on my math journey and opened my eyes to new areas that I could research with math, that I didn't even know. I could research with math.

Alan Babbitt: How did that opportunity shape you to be able to do that and not just being a classroom, go home for the summer, get a job, and then come back and pick up your studies. But, during the summer you're able to do some focused, research. How did that make an impact and help transform you?

Ana Tucker: The research was a huge plus coming to Hope College. We were aware that the whole college had a really good undergraduate research program. The benefit of research is that in a classroom you learn about a lot of things. Whereas in research, you're really able to pinpoint a certain area that interests, you and dive really deep into that. And so it's something that's really exciting and I was able to find a couple of professors at home who are interested in the running side of exercise science and doing research involving running-related things. And so, it's definitely a really great supplement to learning in the classroom is something that can help you get really excited about each class that you take. So that was a huge plus coming into Hope that we knew about.

Heleyna Tucker: My sophomore year I remember, I took Multi-2 I was in that class with Dr. Yurk and he's presenting at the beginning where they introduce themselves. He did dune research through the math department and I was like, this is interesting. So then that kind of sparked my interest, more in math. And then, I eventually did declare a math major. I'd say the same thing as Ana. I feel like it kind of extends your knowledge of your major. I'd say with math sometimes people are like you go into math class and you learn all these theorems and definitions and equations but what do you actually do with it in the real world? And I feel like I was trying to research, as I went along my college journey what could I do after I got my major and then this research came up of doing dune analysis, using my math major, and some computer science and geology in there. It really helped open my eyes to see what possibilities I could be using my math major and I feel like both Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Yurk both kind of helped me pave that way and figure out what I could do with my math major and other things as well.s

Alan Babbitt: And then competitive excellence, obviously, we know about honest individual accolades, but then teamwise, that's something you guys shared together, with a sweep of cross country titles and then indoor and outdoor multi titles there. Being able to experience that joy together to be a team champion. When you look back on that what does that mean to you now and what do you think? It'll mean to you as years go by and you go into adulthood and get further away from being here at Hope.

Ana Tucker: I don't exactly remember every moment, every award that we've gotten as a team, but I do remember how happy we felt and how celebratory we all were together when we realized that we had all worked so hard together for each other and that then resulted in receiving a certain place at a meext or a certain award. And just that feeling of satisfaction, knowing that we had done all that we could free each other, it was just a great experience and I'll definitely remember that feeling going forward.

Heleyna Tucker: Yeah, I feel like now that I've moved from Hope I have all these pictures and stuff from all throughout my running at Hope and just like looking at them even though they're not maybe from that exact moment, that, we want conference and cross country what year, or track and field, but I feel like it just makes me remember the amount of individual success, I know on a mention this, but, just seeing everyone, all the girls that run the 1500 or the 5K, having all them individually succeed, and have that moment at the end where we find out what you win if it's closed if it's not, but sometimes it's close. I remember. What was it conference? Our sophomore year Ana for indoor when it was really close and we ended up winning just imagine the joy that we all had. I think it's just seeing all that hard work and all that dedication and all we care about in that moment is winning that we all put so much hard work towards that, we all want the best for each other. So seeing all the individual wins to then bring up to the team. Win it was just so memorable and I feel like all the pictures I see, throughout the video. I'm like, yeah, I remember that moment.

Alan Babbitt: Obviously, both of you mentioned here in graduate school, we'll wrap up here on the orange and blue podcast talking about, what's kind of next for you guys. What do you hope to do with your careers and with what you've learned from Hope?

Ana Tucker: I'm going to have physical therapy school at Grand Valley. And I'm also running for the team here. I'm running cross country and indoor track. I feel like Hope just prepared me really well athletically and academically for this program, I'll certainly take a lot of life lessons. I learned from hope here. Hope  just prepared me so well in the classroom but also prepared me very well and learning how to work hard and dedicate myself to something that I care about. So yeah, I'll definitely take a lot of things that I learned from Hope into the program here.

Heleyna Tucker:  I mentioned this earlier, but I'm now through research, I kind of figured out I liked applied statistics, or the topics that come with applied statistics. So, I'm studying applied statistics, my master's applied statistics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and I'd say the same thing as with cross-country, you have in track, you have meets every weekend so you have to be able to control your time and be able to know when to say no and to say yes to things and I feel like it kind of helped me manage my time very well. So I feel like, I'll take it when I'm going into grad school. I'm not on the team, but I'll probably join the club team or at least continue running because I feel like on a set, it's a very, stress relieving thing. And I feel like I kind of gonna need that structure and to know I'm gonna run every day in order to because I've just been doing it for so long. I'm like, I can't see myself not running for a few months. I'm like, I've always just been doing it. So I'll definitely be continuing maybe a marathon in my future, I don't know, we'll see, but that's a goal.

Alan Babbitt: That would be awesome. And you know what? I will channel what I think some Hope fans out there. I be remiss if I didn't ask, I know he was mentioned. Charles graduated. He's going to grad school tour or what's next for your brother?

Heleyna Tucker: Charles is working at the Department of Defense in Warren, so he is not in grad school right now. But yeah, he graduated with his computer science degree and now he's working. So that's what he's doing.
Anastasia Tucker: He actually started running too and he's doing quite well that he runs. We go on triplet runs sometimes together. Yeah.

Alan Babbitt: Wow.

Heleyna Tucker: Yeah, squad runs.

Alan Babbitt: That is awesome and we wish the three of you the best. Obviously, you mentioned great parents and a great family, and we've been thrilled to have the two of you at Hope. Good luck in the future. And we'll hopefully see on campus and we'll be following what you do. But we'll see you back on campus. Hopefully, your reunion.

Heleyna Tucker: For sure.

Alan Babbitt: Thank you very much to both Ana and Heleyna for joining me on the Orange and Blue podcast. It's been a thrill writing about them and their team success and individual success and we wish them the best. Thanks everyone for listening. Share this Orange and Blue podcast. We have one more episode this summer and our series that's gonna be talking to some of our student-athletes have gone on SEED trips this summer and we're looking forward to hearing from them. So thanks everyone and have a great day.