First-year Pharmacy Student-Athlete Performs Balancing Act

Hickel, of Phoenix, Arizona, competes in the shotput, discus throw and hammer throw as a member of the Ole Miss track and field program. He first began throwing in track and field when he was around six years old.

“I love it because the sport is something so simple but so complex as you gain more experience,” Hickel said.

As a student in a program as demanding as pharmacy, he works hard to be able to give maximum effort to both sides of his college life.

“It’s certainly a lot to juggle,” he said. “Many times, there is not enough time in the day to do everything I’d like. Most of my days start before the sun rises and don’t end until the sun has set.”

Dempsey McGuigan, assistant coach for throws, can attest to that.

“Mason’s schedule is without a doubt the hardest of any one of our throwers, possibly up there with the hardest of any athlete at Ole Miss, and he never complains or makes excuses,” McGuigan said.

“I cannot speak highly enough about Mason’s work ethic and the consistency he brings to the process, both athletically and academically.”

Despite the challenges, Hickel sees being a student-athlete as a significant benefit to his overall growth.

“Being a college athlete means we are always getting challenged physically,” he said. “What this does is allow for me to separate my day into moments of physicality and moments of mental strain.

“It helps keep a balance in my life. It also allows me to know that I am challenging myself in two aspects of life that will help me in the future.”

Hickel chose to study pharmacy because the field allows him to utilize his strengths in science to help others in his community within a growing field with plenty of opportunities. He chose Ole Miss pharmacy in particular for a different reason.

“It truly does feel like a family here,” he said.

Hickel sees his future in the pharmacy profession as serving in medical liaison positions and in academia.