MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport’s Aleigha Rieppel fields a throw at second base against Southern Columbia during a game this year.

Play strong, provide quality leadership, receive a gold medal and hoist a district championship trophy.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

That essentially is Aleigha Rieppel’s senior sports year. South Williamsport’s shortstop made it 3 for 3 in district championships this season last Tuesday, dropping a crucial RBI bunt single and providing excellent defense as South defeated Muncy, 3-1 for the District 4 Class AA championship. Rieppel also helped South win district titles in soccer and basketball and, actually, has been a part of four straight district champions with her also starting and driving in the winning run in last year’s title victory.

“That’s only three district championships for her this year,” South coach Tom O’Malley said as he laughed following Tuesday’s win. “We’re just lucky to have her on the team. She does the little things and she doesn’t care what happens as long as she helps the team win.”

Rieppel has done that a lot. In every sport. Heck, she even played football for the first time ever last fall and developed into one of the area’s premier kickers, drilling a game-winning, overtime field goal against Hughesville.

And Rieppel is not just along for the ride. She has been a monster piece on each district champion. Take her away and South is not taking those championship photos. Again, Rieppel is a big reason South (19-2) is moving on and it will play District 3 champion Newport in the opening round of Monday’s state tournament.

There’s a price to pay for championship glory and Rieppel has paid it time after time after time. The seasons have changed but the results have not it has become a remarkable senior sports year.

After earning the Sun-Gazette Player of the Year and helping the soccer team reach the state semifinals, Rieppel shined on the basketball court and helped the Mounties win their first district championship since 2009. From cleats, to sneakers, to spikes, Rieppel keeps going strong whatever the season and has again been a rock on the softball field.

“I always want to be a role model for these younger girls,” Rieppel said. “They play the game well and they know a lot. I just want to be there for them in the best way possible. If making plays is the way to do it, then I’ll do it.”

Rieppel has done that a lot and helps anchor a stout defense from her shortstop position. She also is part of a well-rounded lineup and has a .391 on-base percentage. The team’s lone senior starter, both talks the talk and walks the walk.

The stats in all the sports Rieppel plays might not jump off the page but anyone who knows those sports understands how valuable she has been each time. A competitor with speed and a high sports IQ, Rieppel has provided each team a weapon it can use to attack in several different ways.

That includes on the softball field where Rieppel has been a reliable hitter from the No. 2 spot in the order the past two seasons, while also pitching well when called upon. She made a seamless transition from second base to shortstop this season and has shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time, whether offensively or defensively.

“She’s a very smart player. She’s very cerebral,” O’Malley said. “Whatever sport she’s playing, she thinks one play ahead and she’s a very intelligent athlete. In every sport it shows.”

It sure did in the fifth inning against Muncy. The Indians (21-2) had just cut a two-run deficit in half following Taylor Shannon’s two-out RBI single. Freshman Mikaiya Hills hit a lead-off single, stole second and went to third on fellow freshman Maddie Pinkerton’s bunt.

The young players passed the bat to the senior and Rieppel went to work. She noticed the third baseman playing in and the shortstop back and plotted a strategy. Rieppel then dropped a perfect bunt to the left of the pitching circle where it was nearly impossible for the pitcher or infield to get it in time to throw her out at first.

Rieppel’s RBI bunt gave South a 3-1 lead and Alizabeth Schuler took it from there, retiring the game’s final seven batters in order. A year ago, Rieppel hit a walk-off sacrifice fly when South edged Muncy, 3-2 and won the district crown. But that was not on Rieppel’s mind.

Winning was.

“We just wanted to play as well as we could to ensure our chance at winning it,” Rieppel said. “I’m proud of everyone for coming through.”

Rieppel will play soccer at Mansfield University next fall. Her future sport is soccer but that does not define who she is.

Simply put, Rieppel is an athlete, period. She has the skills, but the way Rieppel approaches the game and each season also continues shining through.

Her goal has been set an example for the younger players and that is a mission accomplished. What an example she continues setting.

“Rip will do whatever it takes. If it’s making a great play, laying down a bunt, stealing a base … whatever it might be, that is the way she is,” O’Malley said. “She’s very unselfish. We’re fortunate to have the girls we do here who all chip in to make it a good team.”