Michigan Inks Switzer, Lodge to National Letters of Intent
11/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's track and field head coach Ron Warhurst announced today (Tuesday, Nov. 30) that the Wolverines received two commitments in the early signing period. Justin Switzer (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) and Brendan Lodge (Cranston, R.I./Bishop Hendricken HS) have each signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Wolverines in the fall.
As a top state and national distance runner, Switzer recently captured the 2004 Michigan state individual cross country title (15:22.20) before placing fifth at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Midwest Regional on Nov. 27. As a junior, Switzer claimed eighth place at the Midwest Regional meet en route to a 27th-place performance at the Foot Locker national event. Switzer has shown equal success on the track, earning All-America honors after placing sixth in the mile at the Adidas Outdoor Championships with a personal-best 4:09.9. Switzer also owns times of 1:53.5 in the 800-meter run and 9:11.4 in the 3,200m. A three-year letterwinner on the Kettering basketball team, Switzer led the squad in scoring last season, averaging 18 points per game.
"Justin has tremendous potential," said Warhurst. "He's one of the top distance runners in the country, and I think he'll make a great contribution to our team. We're very excited about him coming to Michigan."
A hammer and weight throws specialist, Lodge enters his senior season ranked among the nation's top five returning student-athletes in each event. Lodge lists at No. 3 in the hammer throw, in which he boasts a personal best of 201-0 after capturing a Rhode Island state title and placing fifth at the 2004 Adidas Outdoor Championships. Lodge is the No. 5-ranked returning weight thrower in the country with a personal-best mark of 63-9. He placed fourth in the event at the 2004 Nike Indoor Championships. Lodge, a high school teammate of current Wolverine thrower Chris McHugh, registers at 6-2, 225 pounds and also excels on the football field as a tight end on the Bishop Hendricken squad.
"Brendan will complement the kids we currently have on board," said field events coach David Kaiser, "and will help solidify the future of thre Michigan throwing events. Brendan's biggest asset is the athletic qualities he brings to the circle. He has good size and quick feet, which should help him to adapt quickly to the international implements."
The Wolverines will preview the 2005 season with the annual Maize/Blue Intrasquad meet, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11, at the U-M Indoor Track Building.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
