“Finish what you start.” This quintessential message is something everyone has heard repeatedly throughout life. Although simple, it effectively encourages people to keep moving forward and never give up.

“I was taught that everything I do, I need to do 100% to my best ability, give it my all so I won’t have any regrets,” AU sophomore Trevor Bassitt said.

Bassitt, a sprinter/hurdler for the track and field team, began his athletic career in the seventh grade. However, he most likely would not have become the powerhouse runner he is now if not for his parents ingraining this message in his head at a young age.

“I started playing basketball and running track in seventh grade. I was a garbage sprinter at first and I was going to quit before high school,” Bassitt said. “My parents raised me to finish what you start though. They told me to try it for one year at the high school level and see how I liked it. Well, I liked it and eventually I started seeing some growth.”

Fast forward a few years from middle school, and that fateful decision to stick with what he started would lead Bassitt to become an All-American collegiate athlete and win the 4×400 event at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Nationals as a freshman.

Bassitt’s athletic career and story is a prime example of how being humble, hard working, and persevering is necessary in achieving one’s goals.

Now a sophomore, Bassitt continues to grow stronger as both an athlete and as a person.

“I’d consider him just an all around very mentally and emotionally tough human being,” AU associate head coach Ernie Clark said. “Like any of us, he’s had his ups and downs in his career, and he does a good job of fighting through them and making it look easy by the end. A lot of athletes are doubtful of their abilities and second guess themselves, he’s good at getting through all that. He never feels sorry for himself.”

Clark is in his fourth season at Ashland University, and his first as associate head coach. Clark specializes in sprints and hurdles which has given him the ability to work closely with Bassit.

In the 2017-2018 season Clark led Bassit, along with fellow sprinters Channing Phillips, T.J. Elliot, and Myles Pringle to win the 4×400 at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Nationals.

“His work ethic is incredible. I put him on his own weight program over the summer that was much more difficult than other people’s. In practices he perfects drills, speed work, conditioning and he does all that without any complaints,” said Clark. “That’s the best way to get better, do everything you gotta do with a positive attitude.”

Bassitt has been alternating from both No. 1 and No. 2 times in the nation in the 200-meter dash for about half the season. As of right now, Bassitt stands at a personal record time of 21.20 seconds in the event.

Despite Bassitt’s remarkable achievements as only a sophomore, he is quick to say that his athleticism did not come easy.

“I was a late bloomer and it took me a long time to get to the place I am right now. But I think the most important thing is to just stay confident. I struggled with that last year but I’m getting a lot better now,” Bassitt said..

Bassitt explained that in his first year, he learned a lot from various role models including University of Florida sprinter Grant Halloway. However Bassitt found his most meaningful instructor in AU senior Myles Pringle.

Pringle specializes in sprints and high jump and has fourteen All-American honors. He also has won four national championship events in the 400-meter dash and one in the 4×400 relay along with Bassitt.

“Myles was already an established national champion when I came in and I tried to keep up with him to the best of my ability,” Bassitt said.

Bassitt and Pringle compete together in sprint events such as the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash with similar competitive times.

“Trevor has to be one of the most hard working people I know,” Pringle said. “He’s someone you would want as a friend and someone who will always have your back. He’ll help push you to be the best because he knows that you can be the best.”

Pringle went on to explain how him and Bassit are very similar and how they guide off of each other for workouts and reps.

“Trevor’s doing what I had to do when I was a sophomore. He’s realizing that he’s one of the best in the nation, he’s realizing that he doesn’t need to compete every weekend in order to run good times or stay in shape,” Pringle said. “He’s listening to his body and learning when to run off or pull back.”

This season, Bassitt is working harder than ever to better himself as an athlete and has won two GLIAC Men’s Running Athlete of the Week awards, earning three in his career as an Eagle.

Recently, Bassitt had big success in a meet at Grand Valley State University, where he won both the men’s 200-meter dash and men’s 60 hurdles. He crossed the finish line in 21.20 seconds and 7.94 seconds, respectively. Bassitt is currently ranked second in the nation in both events.

Outside of Track and Field, Bassitt participates in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the sport business club. He is a double major in Finance and Business Management and finds time to balance schoolwork, clubs and sports.

Recently, Bassitt was unable to compete at the 2019 GLIAC Championships on Feb. 23 due to an injury, however he was still named the men’s indoor track athlete of the year at the post-meet awards.

Bassitt is continuing to train and prepare for the 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships at Pittsburg State University on Mar. 8 and is looking to secure another national championship win. He qualified to compete in the 60-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and the 4×400 relay.

Clark too is preparing for positive results at the upcoming meet.

“For Trevor, improvement is pretty much limitless. I think he’s the type of person who can be a multiple time national champion.”