Caryn Rippey on track to chase down elusive Berks record

Track & Field coverage presented by ATT Sports, Inc.

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

The most fascinating part of Kristie Moser’s record is how long it has endured while seeming to be within reach. Berks County’s all-time greats have come close only to fall tantalizingly short.

Reagan Underwood came within 0.51 seconds two years ago, Alison Willingmyre was within 1.21 seconds in 2017. Tessa Mundell was off by 1.46 seconds in 2013.

Moser’s 4:55.60 in the 1600 was set in 1993. It stands as a lasting tribute to the Boyertown grad’s tenacity and a perpetual reminder of how difficult it is to keep getting faster once one breaks 5 minutes.

Caryn Rippey is the latest to chase this ghost. Wilson’s senior took first at the Stephan Meet by finishing in 4:58.80 last weekend. That’s the third-fastest time in the state this season.

Setting that PR was an important step for Rippey, who was the District 3 Class 3A champion in the 1600 last May. But it was only a step. She wants to keep going.

“I knew that I had that in me,” Rippey said. “I knew it was a possibility. My training has been a lot better. It supports sub-5 or even lower than that. Sub-5 is a big deal but getting faster is the goal.”

Why has Moser’s record been so stubbornly resilient? It’s an interesting question. Most top runners compete in both the 1600 and 3200, which no doubt saps a little of their energy. Rippey has focused on the shorter race at invitationals this season.

Underwood owns the country record in the 3200 and lost her senior season to COVID. She could have surpassed Moser if given the chance. Rippey, who didn’t get to compete as a sophomore, has her chance in front of her.

“At the beginning of the season we definitely had a conversation,” Wilson distance coach Josh Falk said. “That was a number that was within reach.

“It is special. It’s a privilege to be in a position where we’re talking about breaking the Berks County record.”

Rippey doesn’t need any validation at this point. She will rank among the county’s all-timers regardless of how these final five weeks unfold.

The Bucknell recruit is a three-time Berks champion in cross country. She swept the 1600 and 3200 at the Firing Meet last year.

All of those races have brought important lessons. Rippey has learned to not put too much pressure on herself and to not dwell on specific numbers. Even if that number has been in the record book for 29 years.

“I try to be more flexible with my goals,” Rippey said. “I just want to run faster than what I ran this time last season and what I ran this season so far.

“I see that as a small win on the road to bigger wins. I go for progress now and consistency instead of big times.”

Rippey is feeling a little nostalgic as her Wilson career rounds the final turn. She’s appreciating the meets that are her favorites and soaking in the memories.

Next month she plans on competing at the West Chester Henderson Invitational and John Shaner Meet on consecutive days. It’s a double she has completed since she was a freshman. Even though prom falls on that Saturday, she plans to run both. She calls it her favorite weekend of the year.

Wilson has been home to several distance-running giants recently. From Willingmyre to Underwood to Rippey and Katie Dallas, the county record holder in the 800, it has been a remarkable stretch.

“You want to take stock of what you have and be thankful for it,” Falk said. “You just never know when you’re going to have a senior class like this come through again. You enjoy the moment and push these kids as hard as you can. Make sure we’re getting everything out of the experience that we can.”

Rippey said she’ll take some of her most prized medals with her to Bucknell. Her third-place finish at states and her gold at districts rank high on her list.

The senior said the medals aren’t the most important part of this journey. The times always follow her around. She wants to keep raising her standard.

“This track season has been about proving to myself that I still have stuff in me,” Rippey said. “Every time I run close to or reach a PR it makes me feel a lot more confident.”

Who knows what Rippey’s PR will be after her final high school run? Maybe it’ll be the new ghost everyone is trying to chase.