When in doubt, never count out Trevor Bassitt.
Time and time again, Bassitt has shown that he’s the one person not to look past to do something amazing when the pressure is at its highest. He showed his clutch and elite ability at the Olympic Trials in June, where he secured his spot on the U.S. Olympic team, finishing in third place with a new season’s best time of 47.82.
Having his best performances when it matters most is nothing new for Bassitt. At the World Indoor Championships in 2022, he took home the silver medal in the men’s 400m at the championships. After finishing off a sensational collegiate career at Ashland University, he then qualified and competed at the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor World Championships in Eugene, and earned a bronze medal in the event.
The confidence that Bassitt has in himself, along with his faith, allows him to be at his best when his very best is needed.
“Something I’ve always prided myself on is being at my best when it matters most,” he said. “And that’s something I feel like I’ve been able to do since high school. Whether its state championships, Division II Championships, now U.S. Championships, World Championships and Olympic Trials – I’ve always been able to pride myself on trusting my training, trusting God’s timing and just trusting myself to let everything go, and leave all I have on the track and get to the line.”
Bassitt competes and trains with a chip on his shoulder every time he touches the track. Coached by the legendary Mike Holloway in Gainesville, FL, the talented hurdler is currently competing as an unsponsored athlete. While not having a sponsor has its challenges, it has allowed Bassitt to keep the perspective of controlling what he can control, as he continues to advance in his career.
“The no sponsorship has helped me keep that underdog mindset,” he said. “You go into meets thinking there’s nothing I can do. The only thing that I can do to get a sponsor is to do my job for the day. I can’t think about getting a sponsor because if I think about that, I’m not focused on the race.”
Bassitt’s story is one of perseverance, hard work and trusting the process, regardless of what the situation may be. Bassitt earned his stripes on the NCAA Division II level at Ashland University in his home state of Ohio, where he won 10 national championships in the multiple events that he competed in. Bassitt said that he was inspired to see so many Division II athletes competing at the Trials, and he feels that his story plays a part in paving the way for the next generation of athletes.
“I just want people and future track and field athletes to know that they can look at someone like me and look at a story like mine, or Katie Moon or Cordell Tinch – look at us and think okay, these people had very different journey’s,” he said. “You don’t have to be a high school prodigy or go to a crazy big school. You can stay where you are and flourish in your own sense.”
Bassitt credits those around him, including his wife, Harlie, his family, training partners and support staff for helping him reach his goals, and for helping him get to where he is now, an Olympic athlete.
“My support team and everyone around me,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing right now without all the people around me.
Bassitt, who is set to open up his Olympic journey in the first round of the men’s 400m hurdles on Aug. 5, is excited to compete in his first Olympic games. The feeling hasn’t fully sunk in yet that he will compete at his first Olympics, but he’s ready for the opportunity.
“I’m obviously excited,” he said. “I don’t think it’s really hit yet that it’s an Olympic team. It kind of feels like another World Championships team. I know that will change at some point. I’m excited, I’m ready to go.”
WATCH: Rai Benjamin, CJ Allen, and Trevor Bassitt Earn Spots on Team USA for Paris
