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ORANGE CITY, Iowa — Pipestone Area Schools’ senior Haylie Tripp has signed with Northwestern College.
Tripp made it official during a special signing ceremony on Friday, April 25, in the PAS school library.
“I had been following their program for a couple of years, and when I met with coach (Scott Bahrke), and detailed it for me, I felt like it would be a great fit.”
PAS head track and field coach Mark Moeller cited Tripp’s willingness to try new events as a reason why colleges were attracted to her.
Pipestone Area Schools’ track and field athlete Haylie Tripp is flanked by her mother, Jennifer Baartman, boyfriend Caden Meulebroeck and sister, Sienna Tripp, during Haylie’s signing ceremony in April. Tripp will be competing for Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“She was willing to try the sprints,” Moeller said. “We’ve been trying to get her in shape to run the 800. We wanted to help push her toward her goals as she graduates.”
Tripp also said she Bahrke will help her reach her full potential. She also plans on being active in Northwestern’s theater scene.
Tripp was unable to compete during her junior year since she transferred in from Southwest Minnesota Christian in Edgerton.
This season, Tripp’s top time in the 400 run is 1:09.24 during the Luverne Cardinal Relays on April 8.
Haylie also posted a time of 2:03.09 in the 4×200-meter relay that day with teammates Emma Hoss, Valencia Murphy and Jasmine Nokes.
During the Murray County Central Rebel Relays in Slayton on Thursday, Tripp joined Aurora Winsel, Hoss and Murphy for a second-place finish in the Swedish Relay (2:36.03). A Swedish relay is composed of 100-, 200- and 300-meter dashes plus a 400 run.
Tripp also has participated in field events for the Arrows, chiefly the high jump. She marked at 4-feet, 6-inches in the Marshall Invitational on April 14.
Pipestone Area Schools’ track and field athlete Haylie Tripp takes the baton during the 4×400-meter relay at the Big South Conference meet on Saturday, May 10. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Bahrke has told Tripp she will be primarily a middle distance runner — along with the high jump. She plans on studying criminal justice.
The Red Raiders finished fifth overall with 62 points at the Great Plains Athletic Conference meet in Hastings, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3. Doane (Neb.) was the champion, scoring 222 points and Concordia (Neb.) next with 163.
In terms of local connections, the 2023-24 Northwestern roster featured Mikayla Johnson, of Jasper, who was a standout distance runner at Southwest Minnesota Christian.
Northwestern College is located in Orange City, Iowa, roughly a one-hour, 15-minute drive from Pipestone. (Contributed graphic from NWC)
Haylie also was a member of the PAS volleyball program last fall, playing middle blocker.
“Coach (David) Dulas taught me about believing in myself and working hard,” Tripp explained. “Coach (Mark) Moeller also taught me the same thing, and focus on what’s next.”
Tripp is thrilled with the opportunity to run at NWC — inspired by her grandfather, Gary Baartman, a Rock Valley, Iowa, resident who passed away in 2023. Gary’s photo was placed on the table during the signing ceremony.
Additionally, Haylie expressed thanks to Moeller for helping her grow as an athlete, which included an all-Big South performance in the high jump last Saturday.
Haylie Tripp is the daughter of Jennifer Baartman. Haylie plans on studying criminal justice.
Her older sister, Sienna Tripp, also is an NWC student.