Christopher Trotter printed out and signed his Division I athletics letter of intent to run track while surrounded by his family.

Trotter committed to run track while studying at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Nov. 7.

Trotter said he feels very confident with the school he chose, but it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“The other schools I was seriously thinking about and talking to included Stanford, Georgetown, Berkeley, Columbia and Cornell,” Trotter said. “I chose Minnesota because it’s the best package when factoring in cost, sports and education. It has a little bit of everything.”

Throughout the recruiting process, Trotter said he did research and talked to many people to help decide what would be best for him.

“I talked with professors, coaches, relatives, alumni of the colleges and family friends who worked in academia or with these colleges,” Trotter said.

Trotter said he received the most valuable assistance in his search from his uncle, who was by his side throughout negotiations, carefully worded promises and advice.

“The most helpful was my uncle, who helped me talk and negotiate with all of these coaches. The recruitment process is rigorous and coaches say a lot of things to get you to commit,” Trotter said. “He helped me understand what was true and what wasn’t, or understand what some of the coaches’ promises really meant.”

Trotter said although it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of going D1, his focus will remain on obtaining an education in the sciences.

“My goal has always been to be successful and go to a college that would help me get there,” Trotter said. “Track is important to me, but my long-term goal is to study what I enjoy.”