Boys track and field: Marengo's Schirmer chooses to pursue track at Minnesota

Marengo’s Finn Schirmer spent much of the last year pondering a more complicated college decision than most athletes.

Schirmer, a football standout and three-time state champion in track and field, considered not only which school he would attend, but if he would play football, run track or do both.

Schirmer reached his decision Monday night when he announced on Twitter that he would attend Minnesota and run track for the Golden Gophers: “110% COMMITTED!! I’m truly honored for this opportunity!! Ready to get to work.”

Schirmer (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) is second on the area rushing list with 629 yards for the Indians (3-2). At the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Meet last spring, he won the 110-meter high hurdles, the 100 meters, the 300 intermediate hurdles and took fourth in the 200. No area athlete had ever won three individual events in one state meet.

“I took an official visit [to Minnesota last month] and loved it,” Schirmer said. “We went there and met all the coaches, some of the athletes. It felt right. Running was the harder decision to make. I took a good look at what I wanted to do and where my life was headed.”

Schirmer attended Minnesota’s Junior Day last winter for track. Minnesota assistant coach Zach Siegmeier, a Crystal Lake Central graduate who pole vaulted for the Gophers, spoke to Schirmer at the state meet.

Schirmer had NCAA Division I football offers from Air Force, Eastern Illinois and Illinois. He ran for 1,701 yards and 22 touchdowns last season for the 9-3 Indians.

“Ultimately, if you go to college football, you might pursue the NFL, but that isn’t something I really wanted to do,” Schirmer said. “Track is something I want to work really hard for and enjoy.”