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Elkins’ kicker, punter Triplett looks to Ivy League future at Princeton

ELKINS, W. Va.  It’s been a long journey for Elkins kicker and punter George Triplett who is expected to sign with Princeton.

The all-state standout overcame a medical setback with his first D-I commitment and found a home with Princeton.

After a strong showing at a camp this past summer, he originally committed to bring his talents to the United States Naval Academy.

“I was at Navy’s camp and I had a good day,” said Triplett. “A couple days later I got the offer and within 36 hours I committed. From the end of June until early December I thought everything was good.”

Triplett wouldn’t have been the first member of his family to attend the Naval Academy. His father Jeff punted for the Midshipmen from 1988 to 1991.

After being accepted academically, Triplett was set to follow in his dad’s footsteps and head to Annapolis barring a medical evaluation. That’s when he received some bad news.

“The medical portion did not pass because of a food allergy,” said Triplett. “That was early December, and signing day was only three weeks away.”

Shocked by the news and pressed for time, Triplett had to regroup and reassess his options to play college football.

“I didn’t have much time to think about it,” said Triplett. “I just immediately started getting back in contact with schools that I maintained relationships with, and Princeton came through.”

The Tigers scooped up the ace kicker, who won the 2017 Walker Award winner, given to the state’s best special teams player. This past season at Elkins, Triplett made nine field goals, averaged 46 yards per punt, and kicked touchbacks on 44 of 52 kickoffs.

Triplett attributes his success to long hours of hard work, whether in the weight room or out on the field.

“Being fundamentally sound, making sure everything is perfect, making sure everything is the same – that’s how to excel,” said Triplett. “That’s something that I have by no means perfected, but it’s something that I’ve worked on for countless hours. That’s really what’s gotten me to where I am.

As hard as Triplett works on the gridiron, he works equally as hard in the classroom. The AP Honors student boasts a 4.47 GPA, and was recognized in November as an AARP West Virginia/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week.

“My whole life I’ve been taught by my parents, teachers, coaches, and peers that academics are going to come first,” said Triplett. “Football is going to come to an end at some point. I need to have something to fall back on– something to really to make a career with when it’s all said and done.”

After some bumps down the recruiting trail, Triplett can finally breathe a sigh of relief and prepare for the next chapter in his kicking career.

“I’m going to continue to work hard–  make sure my muscle memory is improving every day, get in the weight room every day, and just make sure I’m in shape when camp comes around.

Triplett will join Bridgeport punter Koby Kiefer in the Ivy League, who committed to play for Cornell University back in December.

— By Joey White





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