Trinity Prep’s class of 2014 boasts ten athletes who have committed to play their respective sports at the next level. The collegiate commits cover seven different sports, ranging from diving to squash. There are the big names, such as Auburn University and Cornell University, and there are more regionally known schools, such as University of Sewanee and Mercer University. Regardless of the different sports and schools, there is one thing that this list can unanimously say: the class of 2014 harbors an impressive athletic resume.

For a high school student-athlete, finding a college to live at for four years that will provide a good academic option alongside its athletics can sometimes take a back seat. The one theme that rang true with these athletes, however, is the irregular criteria in which they chose their schools compared to the criteria of other high school athletes.

Victoria Chan, a senior diver who committed to Cornell University in December, never allowed the athletic side of her decision process to take over.

“I based my decision on academic priorities and resources,” said Chan. “It was important to me that I was a part of a team and could participate and make friends, but still keep my focus on school work and job opportunities.”

Erica Chemtob, senior squash commit to George Washington University, shared Chan’s sentiment.

“I knew GW was the right school for me as soon as I visited,” Chemtob said. “The academics are strong there, but I was also given the Presidential Academic scholarship. GW, being a division one school, has a lot of resources for the varsity athletes which will help me to balance academics and athletics.”

All of these athletes were recruited by multiple schools, as a normal collegiate prospect usually is. However, most people do not consider the other side of the recruiting process, the rejection. Once athletes narrow down the schools they are interested in, they have to deny others who are still showing interest. As senior swimmer Brooke Malone shared, this is not so easy as it sounds.

“Looking back, I would have been better at turning down colleges, which I know sounds weird but I was so happy that some schools were interested in me,” said Malone. “Even though I knew I would never go there, I kept talk to the coaches because I was too scared to turn them down.”

Senior swimmer Nick Reuter, a University of Chicago commit, also gave some advice on maintaining a good relationship with schools and most importantly, coaches.

“My advice to future athletes is to talk to the coaches,” Reuter said. “Having a strong relationship and contact with a coach is a huge asset to get your foot in the door at a place that might otherwise be a “reach school”.”

These seniors have completed the goals they set when they were just little kids, playing a sport they love at a college of their choice. Very few can say they ever did that, but a good amount of Trinity seniors can.

“Even though it is a lot of work and is extremely overwhelming the payoff is worth the sacrifice,” Chan said. “What you put in is what you’ll get out.”