MEET: Tim Troutner Jr.

• Position: STUDENT ATHLETE: Q&A - Interview

Tim Troutner Jr. has developed into one of the best men's lacrosse goalkeepers in the nation at High Point University. The Annapolis, Maryland, native and junior has learned greatly on and off the field during his time at HPU and looks to lead the Panthers toward a league championship in his final two years on campus.

You had other options when choosing where you would attend college. What led you to choose High Point University?

I started off my junior year talking to Coach Jon Torpey on the phone. I came down to visit High Point University and fell in love with it. I explored all my options and waited until my senior year. After the state semifinal game, I called him and told him I wanted to attend HPU. The biggest thing was how much I liked the coaching staff here.

How did playing with the original student-athletes who started the HPU men's lacrosse program affect you, and what did you learn from that group?

Those three guys that stayed for their fifth year really did leave a huge impact on all of us. They made everything look so easy. All of the freshmen would talk about how hard an early morning practice was, but they never complained because they had experienced more challenges than we had. That made it easier for all of us to get through it because we saw them making it look easy. Hopefully, I can do the same for the younger guys these next two years by being the example that they can follow.

You still have time in the Purple & White, but what lessons do you feel you're learning now that will help you once your time at HPU is over?

For lacrosse, I've been more of a follower in my first two seasons, but lately I've been watching the team's leaders more closely because I know I'm going to have to step into that role next year. Coming in as a freshman, I didn't know much; I just played. But this year Coach...