Trippet Makes a Winning Switch

Fed up with losing and an environment that supported failure, if not encouraged it, Jessica Trippet left Florida for the Pacific Northwest. Although the move hasn’t helped her tan, it has done wonders for her psyche.

Trippet is a sophomore forward for Portland State, which finished second in the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament. A year after enduring her most frustrating season, the former Marina High standout is again having fun on, and off, the basketball court.

“This program is awesome,� Trippet said. “The girls are awesome and we’re really close off the court, and I think that helps us.�

Portland State lost to North Dakota State, 98-85, in the Division II title game last Saturday at Fargo, N.D. The Vikings finished 26-6.

A key reserve, Trippet played in 31 of the team’s 32 games and started twice. She had 15 points, 16 rebounds and three assists in a Feb. 16 game against Alaska Fairbanks.

But stats don’t drive Trippet--winning does.

“It was incredible,� Trippet said of playing in an NCAA championship game. “It was something that I’ve always dreamed about.�

Not too long ago, basketball gave Trippet nightmares.

She accepted a scholarship from Division II Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., after graduating from Marina in 1993. Barry isn’t exactly a women’s hoops powerhouse, but the school had its strong points.

“I’m a beach girl,� Trippet said. “I absolutely love the sun, and I loved the area. It’s also a good school.�

As it turned out, though, Barry’s negatives outweighed its positives--big time.

The Buccaneers were 8-19 last season. Trippet averaged 12.1 points as a freshman but her season ended after 14 games when she tore ligaments in her right knee. She suffered the same injury in her junior season at Marina.

During her time on the bench, Trippet noticed many things she disliked.

“It was fun being in Miami but it was kind of hard playing for Barry,� Trippet said. “There was no team unity . . . no respect for each other.

“I’m the kind of person who beats myself up when I don’t do something right. I have a lot of self-discipline and no one else on the team did, and you can’t get very far without self-discipline and respect for each other.�

Trippet figured playing for Barry would be a challenge, but she didn’t count on one so formidable.

“It was really frustrating more than anything,� she said. “People in high school play sports for different reasons, but I thought everyone in college wanted to be there and wanted to win.

“No one had any heart at all. I love a good challenge, but I was just on a different page.�

Portland State recruited Trippet while she was in high school and was still interested. Under Division II rules, Trippet didn’t have to sit out a year after transferring.

“This team is what I had in mind when I went to college,� she said. “We’re focused, we’re goal-oriented and we have tons of heart. That’s why I fit in well.�

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The slugger: Fresno State’s Robyn Yorke is at it again.

Yorke, a sophomore right fielder and Marina graduate, was selected the National Softball Coaches Assn. player of the week for the second time this season. An All-American, Yorke has hit in 34 consecutive games.

Yorke leads the Bulldogs (32-6) with a .538 batting average. She has hit .532 during her hitting streak.

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Staff ace: Freshman Stefanie Noffsinger is adjusting nicely to college softball.

Noffsinger, a Michigan State pitcher, is 5-4 with a 1.54 earned-run average. She has pitched six complete games in six starts with one shutout and 42 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

* Keeping Track is a regular column in The Times following the progress of former Orange County athletes competing for colleges elsewhere. Readers with information for this feature may reach Jason Reid at (714) 966-5847 or send it by fax: (714) 966-5663.