Himes Signs With Upper Iowa University

Sign on the dotted line.  Tipton senior Caitlin Himes signed a letter of intent to continue her track and field career at Upper Iowa University, on Wednesday, November 18 in the Tipton High School media center.  One of the top throwers in the area, Himes will take her talents to the Division-2 school in Fayette, Iowa.  Pictured here are, front row, l-r: Rachel Lewis, mother, Caitlin Himes; and Tom Himes, father.  Pictured second row: Tipton throwing coach Nate Anderson and Tipton head track and field coach Mike Wehde. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

TIPTON — Tipton senior Caitlin Himes knows where she will continue her athletic career, after signing a letter of intent to join the Upper Iowa University track and field team.  The Peacock women’s indoor and outdoor track and field programs were reinstated effective the 2015-16 academic year.  The Northeast Iowa University had reinstated four programs since becoming Iowa’s only D-II school.  Upper Iowa competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

UIU suspended all of its cross country, track and tennis programs for men and women following the 2003-04 academic year as the University moved up to the NCAA Division II.

Upper Iowa was a member of the Iowa Conference prior to making the move to Division II.  The Iowa Conference is a premiere Division III conference made up of Iowa colleges.

Head Tipton track and field coach Mike Wehde said that Himes had a skill set that colleges look for.

“Caitlin posses a unique skill set.  When you have an athletic girl in the shot put or discus ring it allows her to do things that some can’t.  She has been successful in her throws and has been exposed to larger meets at state and Drake.  You take those three aspects and put them together and it makes her appealing to colleges,” he said.

Himes said that Upper Iowa felt comfortable.

“It was the feeling I was on campus.  I like the coach and the team was nice,” she said.

Himes said that she did consider playing softball in college, but after reaching the state meet as a freshman, things changed.

“I was considering softball for a while.  Then freshman year I made it to state and that’s when I knew that I could maybe do something in college for track and excel in it.  I started working hard and it has paid off,” she said.

Himes is a rare four-sport athlete in this day of specialization.  Himes swims, plays basketball, participates in Track and plays softball.  Wehde said that being a four-sport athlete at Tipton didn’t hurt her chances at competing at the next level.

“I can’t help think that, that helped her in this.  You read that the trend is to specialize in athletics.  But, there is some validity in being a multi sport athlete.  You gain that athleticism and become a better athlete and have more coaches to learn from.  It makes it easier to take those skills to the next level,” he said.

Himes said that she considered the University of North Dakota and the University of Central Missouri, visiting both along with Upper Iowa.  

Himes will look to help the Tiger girl’s basketball team rebuild this winter before starting her quest to qualify for the state track meet for the third time in four years.  Himes is the daughter of Rachel Lewis and Tom Himes and will pursue a major in athletic training.