Tippecanoe Valley senior Lexi O’Connell has signed a national letter of intent to continue her track career at IPFW. Seated with Lexi are parents Julie and Pat O’Connell. In the back row are TVHS principal Dr. Michael Bendicsen, TVHS track coach Alysha Wachtmann and TVHS athletic director Duane Burkhart. (Photo provided)

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley senior Lexi O’Connell has checked off a few goals in her track career, and one more huge goal was reached in signing her national letter of intent to continue her track career at IPFW.

O’Connell has tasted success at the conference and sectional levels, and nearly reached state as a junior. O’Connell set the school record in the 100-meter hurdles at the Warsaw Regional last season in a time of 15.85, taking fourth place in the finals. O’Connell missed state in the event by .09, but saw her season in the event hold sectional and Three Rivers Conference championships along the way. O’Connell also was on the 4×100 relay team that qualified for the regional last spring.

As a sophomore, O’Connell won the 100-meter hurdles sectional title and was fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, qualifying for regionals in both. As a freshman, O’Connell was on the sectional champion 4×100 relay team.

O’Connell also was a star for the volleyball team at Tippecanoe Valley, helping the team win 18 games this past season and earning All-TRC honors along the way.

In the classroom, O’Connell is holding a 10.56 GPA (on a 12 scale) and is ranked 19th in her class of 148 students. At IPFW, O’Connell plans to major in elementary education.

“I am looking forward to continuing my academic and athletic career at IPFW in Fort Wayne and running track,” O’Connell said.