Featured Senior: Mark Frilling ’14

Major: biology
Hometown: Fort Loramie, Ohio
During his junior year at The University of Findlay, Mark Frilling was accepted into the University of Toledo’s College of Medicine – no small feat, considering that he was one of only 20 students granted early entrance.
Frilling will graduate in May from The University of Findlay with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. He’s been a member of the pre-medicine club, was named Chemistry Student of the Year during his sophomore year and maintained a 3.98 GPA.

While Frilling has excelled academically, he also had a successful career as a student-athlete on the Oiler men’s basketball team.
Fiona Hanks, head athletic trainer at UF, saw Frilling’s passion for medicine in the athletic training room. “Mark shows integrity and excellence in everything he does. Mark was a quiet leader on the basketball team, always leading by example,” she said. “He always showed great curiosity, followed by a deep understanding of what we were discussing, particularly when talking about how to deal with patients.”
Faculty and staff members consistently describe Frilling as a man of integrity who leads by example. During his senior season, Frilling started every game and was a team captain, helping lead the team to a record of 24 wins and six losses, as well as a third consecutive GLIAC Championship – a moment that Frilling cherishes.
“My favorite memory of my time at Findlay has to be winning the GLIAC Tournament Championship in front of our home crowd this year,” said Frilling. “The energy in Croy for those games was unbelievable … The fans here are some of the most loyal you’ll find anywhere, and they pack Croy Gymnasium for every game, creating an electric home court atmosphere.”
Head Coach Charles Ernst identifies Frilling as a “coach’s dream … He is highly athletic, extremely hard working and intelligent.”
Frilling has mutual respect for Ernst, naming him as a positive role model since he first stepped foot on campus: “Coach Ernst is a God-driven, family-centered man who always treats people fairly and makes them feel important … The only reason I’m glad my basketball career is over is because I won’t have to play under another coach because Coach Ernst would be hard to top.”
Frilling received multiple athletic awards as a UF student, including the Mancuso Award, which is given to the top male and top female athlete at Findlay each year. Frilling was chosen for the honor because of his athletic achievements, academic performance and character. Frilling also was three times named All-Academic in the GLIAC.

In addition to completing an academically rigorous curriculum and being a member of the basketball team, Frilling also volunteered as a mentor for students at Bigelow Hill Intermediate School, tutored other students in the Academic Support Center and was a Men’s Basketball Student Athletic Advisory Committee Representative.

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