Mike Tripp’s running career at McQuaid Jesuit will not soon be forgotten.
The Brighton native was a four-year member of the cross-country team. Tripp was a two-time champion of the 1600 and 3200 during the indoor track season.
On one of the most important days of life though, no one was talking about his accomplishments on the track and cross country course. Graduation day was about Tripp’s strong performance in the classroom.
Tripp was presented with the University Award an honor for students who excel in the classroom and on the playing field. He will take his athletic and classroom talents to the University of Notre Dame in the fall.
“It was really exciting to get this award,” Tripp said. “It’s a prestigious award and it was an honor to even be thought of. I was just surprised to win the award.”
The University Award is presented to the senior who has made outstanding accomplishments in both athletics and academics. Along with posting outstanding running results Tripp was perennially on the high honor roll.
The award, which has been given out every year since 1970, has gone to several former running standouts including Daniel Lesser (1994) and Jeff Clark (1996). Other winners include former basketball standout Greg Woodard (1988) who played collegiately at Villanova.
Tripp was lauded by coaches and classmates not just for his running ability and class work but his leadership skills.
“He was groomed as the leader of our team since he was a sophomore and the guys were just drawn to him,” said Todd Stewart, McQuaid Cross Country head coach, about Tripp. “He set the standard of how hard everyone should work.”
Tripp had the most satisfying season of his running career this fall when he helped spark the Knights to their first sectional cross country championship in 16 years. He put his own stamp on the championship when he won the Class A race, becoming the first McQuaid runner to win an individual title since Clark in 1995.
“Winning as a team, the way we did, it was a feeling that is just hard to explain,” Tripp said. “People saw us as the underdog this season and we wanted to prove we could end the streak.”
Tripp faced a tough challenge during the indoor season this past season as the Knights moved up to Class A from Class B this winter. He responded by earning the Class A Track MVP award at sectionals winning the 1600 and 3200 meter races.
