An Interview with Madison Trippett

Madison Trippett is a sophomore at Parkersburg High School in Wood County, West Virginia. The 5-foot-8 sophomore placed seventh at the Class AAA girl’s West Virginia Cross Country State Championship this past season with a time of 18:50.92, helping lead the Big Reds to a third-place finish as a team. A two-time First Team All-State selection, Trippett earned twenty-seventh place in the seeded race at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships, crossing the line in 18:21.

During her freshman track season at the Class AAA girl’s West Virginia Track & Field State Championship, Trippett placed fifth in the 400-meter dash in 59.22 seconds, 2nd in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:16.80 and 3rd in the 4x800-meter relay in 9:40.62. She is a Mountain State Athletic Conference champion in the 400-meter dash and runner-up in the 800-meter run with times of 58.68 and 2:17.13 respectively.

Trippett capped off her freshman campaign on RunWV’s Best Performance List in five categories: 400m (5th), 800m (2nd), 1600m (3rd), 3200m (3rd), 4x800m Relay (3rd).

Her PR’s are: 400m (58.68), 800m (2:14.57), 1600m (4:58.23), 3200m (10:53.48).

Madison’s parents are Kevin and Deborah Trippett. She has one sibling, brother Hunter.

I caught up with her and asked her a few questions about her recent success and history with running.

Coach McMillion: When did you first start running track or cross country?

Madison Trippett: I first started running in 3rd grade on my elementary track team.

CM: Did you like running right from the start?

MT: I absolutely loved running from the start. When I first started running I was involved in competitive cheerleading and soon gave that up to devote my time to running.

CM: What other sports or activities do you take part in?

MT: I am on the swim team.

CM: Which sport is your favorite?

MT: My favorite sport is track for sure.

CM: Do you have any one race or personal record time that you are most proud of so far?

MT: My proudest personal record is breaking 5 minutes in the mile.

CM: Have you had any disappointments, and how do you respond to a bad race?

MT: This year’s state cross country meet was a disappointment for me. I try to use bad races as motivation.

CM: You had a stellar freshman cross country season, which you placed third in the AAA girl’s race. This cross season, you seemed to be a little disappointed with your seventh-place finish at states. If so, was it mental or physical?

MT: Coming off another shin injury, I wasn’t mentally or physically in the right place for the race and I let it become an excuse for myself.

CM: You bounced back at the Foot Locker South Regional Cross Country Championships in Charlotte (NC) and placed 27th in the seeded girls race? How did that race boost your confidence?

MT: Footlocker helped remind me of why I love running and why I do it. It was such a great experience and I finally had a good mindset going into a race again.

CM: Have you gradually done more mileage or harder training each year, or do you attribute your continued success to experience?

MT: Yes, I have gradually increased mileage, but I do believe that experience contributes to success.

CM: Do you put in a lot of miles during the off-season, or do you focus on other interests?

MT: I think offseason mileage is very important and it comes before my other interests.

CM: Last track season you dipped under 5:00 minutes for the 1600m as a freshman. Was this a goal, or were you surprised with this time?

MT: Before last year my Mile PR was 5:26 and my goal for last track season was to be under 5:15. I remember my coach telling me last year that he thought I could break 5 minutes by my senior year and I looked at him like he was crazy because I didn’t think it was possible.

CM: Your freshman track season you made RunWV’s Best Performance List in five categories: 400m (5th), 800m (2nd), 1600m (3rd), 3200m (3rd), 4x800m Relay (3rd). What or who would you contribute to your success?

MT: I would contribute my success to my parents who have provided me with every opportunity to be the best I can be. I would also contribute it to Coach Games who always believes in me and pushes us to live up to our potential.

CM: Has some of your success drawn more interest to running at Parkersburg High or at the middle school levels?

MT: I can’t say that it has drawn more attention to running at PHS, but a couple girls who currently run at the middle school level have come up to me and told me that they look up to me and that has been a really cool experience.

CM: You have an amazing range of speed and endurance. How did you determine which events you would run at the West Virginia State Meet? Or did your coaches choose your events?

MT: At last year’s State Meet the coaches and I discussed what events I should run. It was hard giving up the 1600m, but my coaches believed I could have more success in the 400m.

CM: Do you have a favorite track event? If so, what event do you like most?

MT: My favorite track event is the 800m.

CM: There are at least four West Virginia high school girl’s who could go sub-5:00 in the 1600m at this year’s state meet? Since you are one of them, will you attempt to run the 1600m at this year’s state meet?

MT: Yes. I will definitely attempt to run the 1600m at the State Meet this year. If last year’s state meet taught me anything it’s that to be successful you must be passionate about the events you are running.

Interviewers Note: The following returning girls have run sub-5:00 in the 1600 Meter Run:

1) Tori Starcher (Ripley) 4:53.91

2) TaShala Turner (University) 4:56.98

3) Madison Trippett (Parkersburg) 4:58.23

4) Samantha Hatcher (Morgantown) 4:59.10 - True Mile

CM: What’s it like competing against Ripley’s Tori Starcher who is nationally ranked in cross country and track? Does running against her make you a better and more determined runner?

MT: I think West Virginia runners are so lucky to have Tori Starcher. Throughout the years she has always given me a goal and something to work for. I honestly believe I would not be nearly as successful without someone like her to push me.

CM: What are your goals for this track season?

MT: My goals for this track season is to improve on my times and close the gap between Tori and I that she has created this indoor season.

CM: After the track season for the WVSSAC is over, will you take part in any of the national races like New Balance Nationals Outdoor, AAU or USATF Junior Olympics?

MT: I would like to run at New Balance Nationals this year. I think it would be a great experience and an introduction to a lot of new runners I haven’t competed against before.

CM: Do you plan on going to any running camps over the summer or train with any running groups?

MT: I am not sure of my summer training plans yet, but I do hope to attend a few camps this summer.

CM: More and more women are doing amazing things. How do you feel about being a role model to other little girls?

MT: It’s really cool to think of myself as a role model to other younger girls and I think it encourages me to be the best I can be both on and off the track.

CM: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

MT: The biggest influence in my life has been my parents. They have been to every single race and have been my biggest supporters through running and every aspect of my life.

CM: Thank you for your time Madison. Good luck this track season!

Submitted by Coach Mike McMillion (03/08/18)