Peyton Sippy Claims Two State Titles in 1600; 3200
by gabby petruzzello
Peyton Sippy, a UW-Madison Cross Country and Track and Field commit, began running in 5th grade and never looked back. Now, she has 7 individual state medals, 3 state titles, 2 school records, and a State Champion plaque with 3 events: Cross Country, 1600, and 3200. Although Peyton Sippy will be graduating Craig High School this year, her legacy and dedication with continue to serve as inspiration for generations following her.
“We’re extremely proud of her, and to have her represent Craig High School, she’s represented us very well, and to have to take that into UW-Madison,” said Girls Head Track coach Brad Troeger.
This past weekend, Sippy was hoping to focus on each race at a time, with hopes of coming home with two state titles.
On Friday, June 1st, Sippy won the 3200 in a school record time of 10:42.01, beating 2nd place Kate Jochims who finished with a time of 10:47.07.
After Jochims took an early lead, Sippy remained calm and started to gain ground through the first six laps, taking the lead the last two laps to win by over 5 seconds. The previous 3200 meter record was set in 1979 by Beth Huff, with a time of 10:53.2.
“I’m trying to finish out my season strong and meet my goals that I set at the beginning of the season...I definitely want to take each race at a time....Right now I’m just trying to get in a mindset for the two mile and I definitely think that it’s going to be hard, just like cross country, but I think I have a better chance than I did in cross...I think that with the two mile, if I give it everything I have, I can definitely come out on top,” said Peyton Sippy, explaining her race strategy.
Reflecting on her race, Sippy said, “Kate Jochims made a move pretty early, that I didn’t believe she could sustain. My coach told me before my race that if I push myself to the max, no one could beat me, and I honestly believed that. So when she made her move, I waited patiently for her to tire out, and I went for the win.”
In addition to her state title on Friday on the 3200 meters, Sippy followed up with another state title in the 1600 meters with a school record of 4:53.41, beating Kate Jochims by 2 seconds, who finished with a time of 4:55.09. Jody Rittenhouse’s 1600 meter record time of 4:54.4 was also broken this weekend.
“I was told to go out really hard in the first 800 to take away any speed the 800/1600 girls had. Last year, I got outkicked by a few of them and learned that if I wanted to beat them, I had to go earlier [in the race]. The plan ended up working out perfectly and I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout,” commented Sippy.
Sippy looked forward to her race, as well as finishing her sports career at Craig with a bang and getting to put on the jersey for the last time.
Explaining what she was most excited for this weekend, Sippy said, “Getting to process that high school is going to be over and that my high school sports career is going to be over because that flew a lot faster than I thought, being able to stay with my team...the experience of state altogether is really fun. I’m just excited to spend this last race with my teammates and I’m happy that they made it as well.”
Sippy plans to run WiscoMile, which is a competitive race including both elite and community races for all levels. This year, the race coordinators are planning on creating elite teams from various states to gather a high level of competition. After WiscoMile, Sippy plans on taking some time off before she has to start the rigorous training regimine needed to succeed in collegiate running.
“After that I think I’m just going to take some time off and rest my body and my mind just because it’s a stressful week, especially with all of those state activities,” commented Sippy.
Sippy is looking forward to next year, where she will run competitively at UW-Madison. Sippy plans to study Animal Sciences, with hopes of becoming a Veterinarian. As an Intern at Badger Veterinary Clinic, Sippy strengthened her love of working with animals.
“It’s one of the best schools in the nation for the major I want to go in...I definitely know I want to work with animals, so I know I’m going down the right career path,” explained Sippy.
Sippy said she is looking forward to the new college atmosphere, independence, getting to travel with the team, using the awesome facilities, and getting to develop and grow friendships. Sippy said that being on a team with athletes that are better than her “will push me (her) in the long run.”
Regarding what she is most excited about next year, Sippy said, “Definitely the new college experience...I’m looking forward to being with a new team and see how they do things.”
Sippy is described by her track coaches as: “a great example of what it’s like to prepare and perform at an elite level.” The athletic director, Ben McCormick commented that “Peyton is not only a great athlete, but a great student, fun to be around, tremendous work ethic.”
Performing at the elite level takes motivation, a strong work ethic, the ability to overcome pain and suffering, and being able to handle adversity. After a successful podium finish at cross country her freshman year, Peyton Sippy continued her previous work habit, running a few times a week, not more than five miles each run. When Sippy hit the track her freshman year, she came out with a stress fracture that held her back for the rest of the track season and into the cross country season.
Sippy placed 46th at the cross country state meet her sophomore year and she was devastated. Watching the awards ceremony flipped a switch in her mind and gave her the motivation she needed to be successful.
“Without my stress fracture, I wouldn’t be where I was today, because I didn’t have the drive or motivation to push me to that level,” reflected Peyton Sippy.
Now Sippy runs 40 mile weeks, swims 3 days a week, and puts in the extra work, while especially focusing on the little details such as icing and stretching.
“I’m pretty blessed that I haven’t gotten injured since my stress fracture...I learned how to train properly. That’s one of the most important things, learning what to do for your body, what works for your body, some people can go out 50 mile weeks no problem,” said Sippy, reflecting on her work throughout the years.
Outside of running, Sippy enjoys watching Netflix like most teenagers, but she loves to spend an spare minute horseback riding. Sippy has been riding since age nine.
Sippy used to play soccer, but eventually sacrificed the sport to focus entirely on running. The endurance Sippy gained from soccer helped to develop her aerobic endurance and give her a competitive edge.
“Whenever I can get on a horse, I take that opportunity. It relaxes me, it keeps my mind awake and open,” said Sippy.
As a nine-time state qualifier, seven time state medalist, six-time Big Eight Conference Champion, three-time state champion, a three-time program record holder, and Wisconsin Cross Country Runner of the Year, Peyton Sippy’s accomplishments proudly represent both her hard work and her dedication to the sport, and the legacy she will make after graduating from Craig.
Sippy is still comprehending all of her accomplishments and records from this weekend, and is looking forward to moving onto the next chapter of her life at UW-Madison.
“I’m honestly speechless. I came into high school never expecting to get a state title and to now have three is just mind blowing. The school records...were insane and I don’t think without the competition I had at state that I would have gotten them...The hard work paid off and it was definitely worth every bit of it,” said Sippy.
“We’re extremely proud of her, and to have her represent Craig High School, she’s represented us very well, and to have to take that into UW-Madison,” said Girls Head Track coach Brad Troeger.
This past weekend, Sippy was hoping to focus on each race at a time, with hopes of coming home with two state titles.
On Friday, June 1st, Sippy won the 3200 in a school record time of 10:42.01, beating 2nd place Kate Jochims who finished with a time of 10:47.07.
After Jochims took an early lead, Sippy remained calm and started to gain ground through the first six laps, taking the lead the last two laps to win by over 5 seconds. The previous 3200 meter record was set in 1979 by Beth Huff, with a time of 10:53.2.
“I’m trying to finish out my season strong and meet my goals that I set at the beginning of the season...I definitely want to take each race at a time....Right now I’m just trying to get in a mindset for the two mile and I definitely think that it’s going to be hard, just like cross country, but I think I have a better chance than I did in cross...I think that with the two mile, if I give it everything I have, I can definitely come out on top,” said Peyton Sippy, explaining her race strategy.
Reflecting on her race, Sippy said, “Kate Jochims made a move pretty early, that I didn’t believe she could sustain. My coach told me before my race that if I push myself to the max, no one could beat me, and I honestly believed that. So when she made her move, I waited patiently for her to tire out, and I went for the win.”
In addition to her state title on Friday on the 3200 meters, Sippy followed up with another state title in the 1600 meters with a school record of 4:53.41, beating Kate Jochims by 2 seconds, who finished with a time of 4:55.09. Jody Rittenhouse’s 1600 meter record time of 4:54.4 was also broken this weekend.
“I was told to go out really hard in the first 800 to take away any speed the 800/1600 girls had. Last year, I got outkicked by a few of them and learned that if I wanted to beat them, I had to go earlier [in the race]. The plan ended up working out perfectly and I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout,” commented Sippy.
Sippy looked forward to her race, as well as finishing her sports career at Craig with a bang and getting to put on the jersey for the last time.
Explaining what she was most excited for this weekend, Sippy said, “Getting to process that high school is going to be over and that my high school sports career is going to be over because that flew a lot faster than I thought, being able to stay with my team...the experience of state altogether is really fun. I’m just excited to spend this last race with my teammates and I’m happy that they made it as well.”
Sippy plans to run WiscoMile, which is a competitive race including both elite and community races for all levels. This year, the race coordinators are planning on creating elite teams from various states to gather a high level of competition. After WiscoMile, Sippy plans on taking some time off before she has to start the rigorous training regimine needed to succeed in collegiate running.
“After that I think I’m just going to take some time off and rest my body and my mind just because it’s a stressful week, especially with all of those state activities,” commented Sippy.
Sippy is looking forward to next year, where she will run competitively at UW-Madison. Sippy plans to study Animal Sciences, with hopes of becoming a Veterinarian. As an Intern at Badger Veterinary Clinic, Sippy strengthened her love of working with animals.
“It’s one of the best schools in the nation for the major I want to go in...I definitely know I want to work with animals, so I know I’m going down the right career path,” explained Sippy.
Sippy said she is looking forward to the new college atmosphere, independence, getting to travel with the team, using the awesome facilities, and getting to develop and grow friendships. Sippy said that being on a team with athletes that are better than her “will push me (her) in the long run.”
Regarding what she is most excited about next year, Sippy said, “Definitely the new college experience...I’m looking forward to being with a new team and see how they do things.”
Sippy is described by her track coaches as: “a great example of what it’s like to prepare and perform at an elite level.” The athletic director, Ben McCormick commented that “Peyton is not only a great athlete, but a great student, fun to be around, tremendous work ethic.”
Performing at the elite level takes motivation, a strong work ethic, the ability to overcome pain and suffering, and being able to handle adversity. After a successful podium finish at cross country her freshman year, Peyton Sippy continued her previous work habit, running a few times a week, not more than five miles each run. When Sippy hit the track her freshman year, she came out with a stress fracture that held her back for the rest of the track season and into the cross country season.
Sippy placed 46th at the cross country state meet her sophomore year and she was devastated. Watching the awards ceremony flipped a switch in her mind and gave her the motivation she needed to be successful.
“Without my stress fracture, I wouldn’t be where I was today, because I didn’t have the drive or motivation to push me to that level,” reflected Peyton Sippy.
Now Sippy runs 40 mile weeks, swims 3 days a week, and puts in the extra work, while especially focusing on the little details such as icing and stretching.
“I’m pretty blessed that I haven’t gotten injured since my stress fracture...I learned how to train properly. That’s one of the most important things, learning what to do for your body, what works for your body, some people can go out 50 mile weeks no problem,” said Sippy, reflecting on her work throughout the years.
Outside of running, Sippy enjoys watching Netflix like most teenagers, but she loves to spend an spare minute horseback riding. Sippy has been riding since age nine.
Sippy used to play soccer, but eventually sacrificed the sport to focus entirely on running. The endurance Sippy gained from soccer helped to develop her aerobic endurance and give her a competitive edge.
“Whenever I can get on a horse, I take that opportunity. It relaxes me, it keeps my mind awake and open,” said Sippy.
As a nine-time state qualifier, seven time state medalist, six-time Big Eight Conference Champion, three-time state champion, a three-time program record holder, and Wisconsin Cross Country Runner of the Year, Peyton Sippy’s accomplishments proudly represent both her hard work and her dedication to the sport, and the legacy she will make after graduating from Craig.
Sippy is still comprehending all of her accomplishments and records from this weekend, and is looking forward to moving onto the next chapter of her life at UW-Madison.
“I’m honestly speechless. I came into high school never expecting to get a state title and to now have three is just mind blowing. The school records...were insane and I don’t think without the competition I had at state that I would have gotten them...The hard work paid off and it was definitely worth every bit of it,” said Sippy.