LEGENDS OF POLK’S PAST: Elijah Cottrill, G (Basketball)
A native of Pennsylvania, Elijah Cottrill spent two seasons at Polk State College. During his two seasons with the Eagles, Cottrill never missed a game. He was an All-Suncoast Conference selection each season. As a freshman during the 2014-15 season, Cottrill earned second-team All-Conference honors. That season, he averaged 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals per game as the Eagles finished with a record of 21-10.
As a sophomore, Cottrill started every game and enjoyed an even bigger statistical year. While earning first-team All-Conference honors, Cottrill averaged 10.5 points per game while shooting 59% from the field to go with team-highs of 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Cottrill helped Polk State post a 23-9 record – its highest win total in eight years – and reach the FCSAA Tournament for the final time under legendary Head Coach Matt Furjanic.
Cottrill would return home to finish his career at Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion, an NCAA Division II program. Cottrill would average in double figures scoring each season. As a junior during the 2018-19 season, Cottrill started all 26 games and finished the year by averaging 13.2 points, four rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals. As a senior during the 2019-20 season, he started all 28 games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals.