In his final year as an Ashland Eagle, Trevor Bassitt will be remembered as one of the best to ever put on an Ashland track and field uniform. Bassitt has set many school records, taken home hardware to be eternally showcase, and continues to put Ashland University on the map internationally.

Bassitt’s presence in the track and field world has been elevated to an entirely new level this year. Following a dominant indoor track season, Bassitt now ranks as the 14th fastest man in collegiate history.

A few of Bassitt’s highlights from the season include winning the USATF Indoor Championships men’s 400-meter dash title in 45.75 seconds, and securing a silver medal with a 45.05 400 dash time in the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

To truly appreciate Bassitt’s dominance, it is important to understand his growth within the past year.

Last summer, Trevor Bassitt had his eyes set on the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. In the first round of the Olympic qualifiers, Bassitt ran his 400 hurdles in 49.99, to qualify for the semi-finals. The next day, Bassitt finished eighth in the semi-finals in 49.37 and qualified for the event’s finals. In the finals however, Bassitt ran out of steam, placing eighth with a time of 50.03, missing the Olympic cut.

“I will never miss another USA team in my career,” Bassitt said after the race. “Mark it down.”

Bassitt used the disappointment to come back with a vengeance, using his track spikes to dig and claw back to the top of Division II athletics. He first decided to shift his focus from the 400 hurdles to the 400-meter dash. Throughout the season, Bassitt experienced numerous first-place finishes including: eight times in the 60-meter hurdles, twice in the 60-meter dash, and four times in the 400 dash. Bassitt then placed first in the 400 dash at the 2022 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, with a time of 45.36.

Following the NCAA Championships with confidence on his sleeve, Bassitt headed to the US Championships with the goal of qualifying for the World Championships. In the first round of the 400 dash, Bassitt recorded a stellar 46.27 time, which was good for first, and repeated his first-place finish in the semi-finals. With a 45.75 time in the finals, Bassitt secured first place in the nation, and solidified himself a spot on Team USA to compete in the 2022 World Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.

“Winning the U.S. Title was incredible. Crossing that line first to be the United States Champion and put myself on the World Team was unbelievable,” said Bassitt, “I’ve dreamed of being a member of Team USA for years so to finally have it come together, it was a literal dream come true.”

With just a week to prepare, Bassitt had a quick turnaround to get ready to take on the rest of the world. Bassitt flew across the globe to Belgrade for the biggest moment of his career.

In the first round, Bassitt looked a bit, as he posted a time of 46.47, placing second, but he knew that he could improve upon that time. Later that day, Bassitt took his time down further, running a 46.26 semi-final time, which once again placed second. With finals looming the next day, Bassitt locked himself in. With a head full of steam, Bassitt ran the fastest race of his career with a time of 45.05. However, he could not quite secure the victory, as he placed second behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who ran a 45.00.

“Getting second at Worlds was very bittersweet for me,” an emotional Bassitt said. “I ran the fastest time of my life which I’m more than thankful for but coming just .05 away from being World Champion definitely stings and will keep me up for a while. But at the end of the day it’s all a part of God’s plan and His timing is always perfect.”

Overall, throughout the 2021-2022 indoor track and field season, Bassitt’s greatness is more prevalent than ever. With a Division II championship, a national championship, and a World Championship silver medal, Bassitt only has one thing left to prove. He has his eyes set for world champion.

“I’m going to use this experience as motivation to make sure I make another USA team and I leave with a gold medal.”