Story courtesy of Ashland's Sports Information Department
Ashland, Ohio -- In making the jump on Sunday (Jan. 31) from competing in NCAA Division II races to a much bigger stage in the form of the American Track League, Ashland University senior Trevor Bassitt certainly made a name for himself in United States sprinter/hurdler circles.
Competing in the men's 60-meter hurdles on Sunday afternoon at the University of Arkansas, Bassitt, running in lane No. 7, not only topped the five-runner field at 7.71 seconds, he did so by missing his lifetime best by just 0.01 seconds, and by beating second-place Jason Joseph of Switzerland by 0.21 seconds (7.92).
"It's just an honor to be out here, honestly," Bassitt told ESPN2's Lewis Johnson following the victory. "To race against these pro athletes, to get to travel on my own, to get the feel of a big-time national meet…it's really awesome. Having a great time."
To anyone who has followed Bassitt for the last four years as an Eagle, and especially in 2020-21, Sunday's result was no surprise. He is off to a blazing start to his 2020-21 NCAA Division II indoor season, leading the nation in both the 60 hurdles (7.70 seconds) and 200 dash (20.85 seconds), and ranking second in the country in the 60 dash (6.73 seconds).
Bassitt's top 60 hurdles time would be tied for second in NCAA Division I.
His senior-season accolades include U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II National Men's Athlete of the Week on Dec. 8, and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 20.
Bassitt has won a pair of NCAA Division II national championships at Ashland, and is a nine-time D-II All-American.
The American Track League is a made-for-television, four-meet indoor elite track and field series which is broadcast live on ESPN/ESPN2, and features the top men's and women's athletes in the world. All meets will be in one place, at the University of Arkansas, in order to create a strict and comprehensive COVID-19 protocol for all involved. The 2021 ATL season began on Jan. 24, and will continue on Feb. 7 and 14.
