BY EMILEE WOLF | The Statesman In her first year and a half running for the University of Minnesota Duluth cross country and track and field teams, sophomore Emi Trost shattered several program records and became one of the top runners at UMD.
She’s been running competitively since eighth grade and has become a nationally recognized runner, but she almost never became a Bulldog.
A highly sought after athlete, Trost was offered Division 1 scholarships across the country and strongly considered both the University of Tennessee and the University of Minnesota. Ultimately Trost made the decision to come to UMD, based on the size of the campus and the proximity to her family.
“I wanted a chance to excel. With Division 1 you can so easily get lost in the crowd and the success. I wanted to be on a team where I could make an impact.” Trost said.
Growing up in the small southeastern town of Cannon Falls, MN, Trost was homeschooled, making her transition to college a different experience than most.
“I went from a town of about 4,000 people to a school of 11,000. It was hard to be around so many people, but I got used to it pretty quick,” Trost said.
The transition certainly didn’t impact her running. In the 2014 cross country season, Trost helped the Bulldogs take 2nd place at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference meet and was a member of the 1st place Central Region team. She also received All-Conference, All-Region and All-American honors during the season.
In both indoor and outdoor track seasons, Trost became the conference champ in the 1500M outdoor, 1000M indoor and runner-up in the 1600M indoor. She received All-Conference and All-American honors in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Trost also set two school records in the indoor track season—one as part of a Distance Medley Relay and one in the 1000M, additionally setting a school record for the 1500M in the outdoor season.
Joanna Warmington, head coach of women’s track and field and cross country teams, admires the drive, commitment and discipline that Trost brings to the table.
“As an athlete, she has been so coachable since the beginning,” Warmington said.
This is just one reason as to why Trost has already been named captain for next year.
“I really want to make a difference. Everybody has to have a person who believes they are capable, and that’s what I want to be,” Trost said. “I want to develop relationships with teammates, coaches and competition.”
The current UMD record for All-American awards an athlete holds at UMD is eight, and with four All-Americans in her name halfway through her Sophomore year, Trost is well on her way to tying, or even beating the record.
“She will go down in the history books someday—she’s that good,” Warmington said.
Warmington also said she expects Trost to one day compete for a spot on the US Olympic team.
“It’s limitless,” Breanna Colbenson, a teammate and a friend of Trost’s, said of her potential.
“She’s the hardest worker I know.”
Even with all the success she’s had, Trost continues to remain humble through her strong religious connection.
“My faith is huge, first and foremost. I want to give God glory. It is his ability, not mine,” Trost said.
Trost said that she would love to be a professional runner someday, though it’s not up to her.
“I’ll keep praying about it, if it’s part of the plan it is,” Trost said.
