Paris District student commits to NCAA Division II softball

Sydney Kipp, pictured with Paris District High School teacher and athletic coach Shelley Weaver, has accepted an offer to play NCAA Division II softball in Ohio next year.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Paris District High School student-athlete Sydney Kipp has reached a major milestone in her athletic journey, committing to play NCAA Division II softball at an Ohio university next fall.

For Kipp, the opportunity represents years of dedication, self-advocacy, and steady development through local grassroots and rep sports systems.

“Committing to play NCAA Softball II in Ohio means a lot to me because I’m proud for putting myself f out there and being noticed,” Kipp said. “While I had an amazing support system behind me, I had to talk to coaches on my own. I had those conversations and advocated for myself. Accepting the offer felt rewarding because it showed me that hard work and initiative pay off. I earned this opportunity through my own efforts on and off the field.” 

Kipp’s path began locally with the Paris Youth Softball Association, where early enjoyment of the game laid the foundation for what would follow.

“Looking back on my early days with Paris Youth Softball Association, what stands out the most is how much I loved the game. I had fun playing with my friends and that’s really what sparks the love for the sport,” she said. 

That passion carried her into rep softball with the Brantford Bobcats, where she was introduced to a higher level of competition.

“Moving into rep softball I experienced a shift for the best. I was on a team with other girls who loved softball as much as I did. We got to practice and travel together experiencing a whole new level of competition,” Kipp said. 

While softball remained a constant, Kipp’s athletic resume expanded well beyond the diamond. At PDHS, she has competed in multiple sports, balancing demanding schedules and responsibilities year-round. At the 2025 PDHS Athletics Banquet Kipp accepted many honours; MVP of the Senior Girls Volleyball, MVP Girls Fastball, Outstanding Junior Athlete in Track and Field, member of the AAHBN Track and Field Championship team (Sr. Girls 100m Hurdles, Triple Jump and 4x4 Relay), and member of the Ultimate Frisbee CWOSSA Championship team. 

“Through my high school athletic experience the most important thing I learned was commitment. With multiple sports and school my schedule can get heavy with morning and afternoon practices as well as games; while also having my rep sports at night and on weekends,” she said. “I’ve learned the importance of showing up, working hard, and being a reliable teammate. Now that I’m in Grade 12, I want to be a good example for younger athletes.” 

That well-rounded approach is something recruiters consistently valued, according to her mother, Nicole Kipp, who said coaches emphasized they were looking for more than just a single-sport standout.

“They all had the same message for Sydney. It was that they want an ATHLETE. Not only a ball player but a strong athlete. One that always has and continues to play multiple sports as they grow up,” she explained. “They all see that in her ability on the Softball field. She is a well-rounded athlete who grew up playing multiple sports in our community.” 

Nicole said the journey was never about chasing scholarships in the early years. Thinking back to those early days with Paris Youth Softball Association, Nicole admitted, “No, I didn't think that it would lead to this at all. She always wanted to be doing something sporty, and this was simply a way to try something new and let her have fun,” she said of Sydney’s start in the sport. She credits local programs and volunteers for providing the foundation that allowed her daughter to grow as both an athlete and a person.

“It has been the foundation for everything for Sydney. The community programs that we have been apart of have provided the essential basics for her to build off,” she said. “She learned about being apart of a team and getting coached. These programs also teach you from a very young age that you need to be dedicated, work to get better at something and build their independence and confidence.” 

As Kipp prepares for the next chapter, she plans to study Exercise Science, with a minor in Psychology, aligning her academic goals with her athletic experience. 

Looking back - and ahead - Kipp’s advice to younger athletes remains simple.

“I would tell them to find what makes them happy and stick to it,” she said. 

Her journey stands as a reflection of what sustained commitment, community support, and a multi-sport mindset can achieve – and that’s why Sydney is February’s Athlete of the Month.