Wawasee senior Isaiah Tipping is surrounded by family and coaches after signing with Marian University Friday to continue his track and field career. (Photo provided)

SYRACUSE – It’s a road the Tipping family has chosen before, and Isaiah Tipping is happy to travel the familiar path.

Isaiah is joining older brother, Elisha, at Marian University after the Wawasee High School senior made it official by signing his National Letter of Intent to continue his track and field career in Indianapolis.

Elisha, a 2018 WHS graduate who is at Marian on a football scholarship, was part of Isaiah’s influence in finding Marian. A tight-knit group, the two brothers had played three sports together at Wawasee – football, wrestling and track. Isaiah admitted he leaned upon Elisha for advice, but ultimately, the decision was his.

“I think what’s kept me most focused in this process is wanting to go to (IHSAA) State and place there,” Tipping said Thursday night during the Goshen Boys Track Sectional rain delay. “My work during my senior year is what the college coaches are going to see. That’s where I have to set myself apart.

“Honestly, (Elisha) was the one who had introduced me to Marian. After my first visit, it felt right for me. Him being there is a bonus, I don’t think of it as the reason. They have a lot to offer me more with my education, not just in athletics.”

Tipping is a standout thrower for Wawasee. Most recently finishing second at the Goshen Sectional in shot put, Tipping is seeded as one of the top throwers in the state. He also placed eighth in discus at the sectional and is a two-time shot put champion in the Northern Lakes Conference, winning titles this year and last year, famously beating Elisha in shot last season.

Tipping is also a Goshen Relays shot put champion and finished seventh in the IATCCC Hoosier State Relays indoor championships in March.

Tipping was a state-ranked wrestler and was honored as an Academic All-State in football, wrestling and track. Tipping is a member of the National Honor Society and is a peer tutor, carrying a 11.04 GPA (12-scale), ranked 16th in his graduating class and looks to get into computer science at Marian.

“Computer science is one of their newer programs, so I am going to be learning right along with them in some aspects,” Tipping said. “I would like to major in computer science and minor in business on a five-year plan. I’m hoping to get into a program that helps interns and get me into a business of some kind and work with their IT department.”

Marian, coached by Mike Holman, is a member of the NAIA and NCCAA and the Crossroads League.