TRISTA FINTEL: Making History in Oiler Athletics

BY JOSH EILOLA

Trista Fintel made history for University of Findlay when she became the first female studentathlete in the program’s history to win the Division II indoor shot put national title, with a throw of 16.04 meters. Trista, a native of Deshler, Ohio, has been excelling in track and field since the seventh grade, and her hard work and dedication have finally paid off.

Trista’s journey to success started when the University’s track coach recruited her to come to Findlay. She visited the campus and immediately fell in love with it. From that moment on, Trista knew that she wanted to be a part of the Oiler family.

She admits however that Findlay was not an obvious choice for her, as she thought it was too close to home and too small. She also now admits that she was wrong. “Don’t overlook the small schools. You get a better education, you have so many friends, and you get so much hands-on learning in your classes,” she said. “I overlooked Findlay because it was so close to home, but I have absolutely fallen in love with campus and the ability to still go home and see my family.”

Trista’s major is social work, and she credits the University for giving her the opportunity to pursue her passion for athletics and academics. She has both athletic and academic scholarships, which have helped her immensely. Trista believes that scholarships are essential, and she is grateful to the donors who made it possible for her to attend the University. “It’s amazing, [the donors] don’t know us and we don’t know them, but they still want to offer this opportunity to us to get an education,” she said. “We are very grateful for them.”

Aside from being an exceptional athlete and student, Trista is also a member of Campus Ministries. She has found that her faith has been an integral part of her success both on and off the track. Trista believes that being a part of Campus Ministries has helped her to stay focused and motivated. Trista is grateful for the opportunities that the University has provided her and hopes to continue to develop her skills in athletics and find new passions like taking piano classes this spring semester.

What keeps Trista at Findlay is the connections she made on campus. She loves the closeness of the classes and professors, which has allowed her to get the support and guidance she needs to succeed. Trista’s success story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a supportive community.

Trista has achieved a significant milestone in her athletic career. She is an inspiration to many, and her story serves as a reminder that with determination, anything is possible. She will graduate with her bachelor’s degree next year and will then go on to pursue her master’s degree. When asked what’s next for her, she had one thing to say, “Win another national title.” Trista’s future is bright, and Oiler Nation can’t wait to see what she achieves next.