Teipen makes late move to join Pomeroy track and field program

South Putnam graduate Hanna Teipen will be out and about in the field events once again after recently singing to join the track and field program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. With Teipen at the signing include (left) father Aaron, mother Lindsey, (back) South Putnam assistant track coach Evan Bernhardt, St. Mary-of-the-Woods track and field head coach Zach Whitkanack and assistant coach Gage Rayman.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

While attention has turned to the start of the high school sports season, college athletics are not far behind as athletes begin to make their way back to campus in the next few weeks ahead of their peers.

An additional athlete will be joining those ranks at St, Mary-of-the-Woods soon after Hanna Teipen signed on to join the Pomeroy track and field program Monday, adding to the growing ranks of throwers at the Terre Haute school.

The chance came about late in the year as Teipen, a three-year South Putnam graduate, had eyes on a different path until the coaching staff at St. Mary’s saw her in action.

“I originally had a plan of just going to Ivy Tech but got scouted during sectionals,” Teipen said. “That sparked my interest because I never really wanted to go to a four-year college but to a trade school.

“I got the opportunity to come back and throw for four more years and I jumped at the opportunity as quick as I could.”

Teipen said the decision to switch from a two-year to a four-year school did not change her subject of study or what she wanted to do in life.

“I am still going to go into nursing,” Teipen said. “Either being a pediatrician or ER nurse.

“(St. Mary’s) is a small campus and more of a one on one between teachers and students. It’s closer to my house than most, so it’s not a bad commute.

“I liked the overall look of it; it looks medieval almost,” Teipen added.

The Pomeroys, having just joined the NAIA last year, are still a building program but Teipen said it already had a solid group of field athletes to join.

“I know it’s a new program, just three years old,” Teipen said. “As far as the throwers, they have a small group but mighty.

“I don’t know much about the team but I’m excited to meet everyone. They’ve talked about shot put and discus but they are also going to let me try javelin and hammer.”

While there was still work to be done to make sure the first year of schooling went smoothly, Teipen said she hadn’t expected to be in a position to be a collegiate athlete and relished the chance to help the young Pomeroy program in the coming years.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Teipen said. “I never thought I would be playing a college sport and so to get to play my favorite sport in college, I’m through the roof.

“I feel like I’m on cloud nine right now.”