Wolverines Add Four Recruits to Well-Rounded Class
4/26/2005 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, April 26) that the Wolverines added four commitments during the late signing period. John Black (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice HS), Adam Harris (Wheaton, Ill./North HS), Sean McNamara (Elmhurst, Ill./York HS) and Sean Pruitt (Cato, Wis./Valders HS) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the U-M program in the fall.
"This incoming group represents a total package class," said Warhurst. "We covered our bases very well between the field events, sprints, middle distance and distance areas with quality kids from top to bottom. We're very excited about these young men choosing to further their education and athletic endeavors at Michigan."
Black claimed runner-up honors at the 2004 Michigan state cross country championships -- behind fellow Michigan signee Justin Switzer (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) -- before finishing 21st at the Footlocker Cross Country National Championships (15:56). Black placed seventh in the 3,200m at the 2004 state track and field meet with a time of 9:24.53.
"I felt that Michigan was just the best combination of academics and athletics," said Black. "I really liked the team atmosphere and felt really comfortable with the team as well as Coach Warhurst. Also, I'm a Canadian citizen, and obviously coach Warhurst has had great success with several Canadian runners. He understands how important it is for us to represent both Michigan and Canada."
As a junior, Harris became the first man in Illinois state history to win the 100- and 200-meter dashes and 110-meter hurdles at the state high school meet. The nation's third-ranked returning hurdler, Harris owns personal bests of 10.66 (100m), 21.54 (200m) and 13.94 (110m hurdles).
"When I visited and met the coaches and team," said Harris, "I really just loved Michigan, and I loved the atmosphere. It just felt like a great place to be. I hope that I'll be able to contribute right away."
McNamara won the 2004 Illinois state individual cross country title (14:32.4) to led his York High School squad to its third straight -- and 24th in program history -- state team title. Behind another first-place performance by McNamara, York also captured the team title at the inaugural Nike Team Nationals in December, and just one week later, McNamara claimed 12th place at the Footlocker National Finals (15:42). On the track, McNamara owns personal bests of 4:16 in the 1,600m and 9:00 in the 3,200m, claiming third and second in the events, respectively, at the 2004 Illinois state championships.
"We have a great group of guys coming in," said McNamara, "and I think we'll be able to add a lot to the guys currently on the team. Ron was a big factor that attracted me, and I know he gives freshmen a chance to earn their spot. Hopefully, I'll be able to step in and contribute to the team's performance."
The nation's third-ranked returning discus thrower, Pruitt recorded the event's third-longest mark in Wisconsin high school history with a personal-best 194-6 1/2 in just his second meet of the season (April 12). Pruitt owns Valders High School records in both the discus and shot put (59-0). Registering at 6-4, 260 pounds, Pruitt is also a two-time all-area and all-conference selection in football and has twice qualified for the Wisconsin state wrestling tournament.
"I am really excited to come throw at Michigan," said Pruitt. "It was a long process, but in the end, choosing Michigan was an easy decision; it really just stood out among the rest. It sounds like we have a great class coming in next year, and hopefully we can all contribute immediately."
The quartet joins Switzer and thrower Brendan Lodge (Cranston, R.I./Bishop Hendricken HS) to round out the Wolverines' recruiting class for 2006. Since committing to Michigan during the early signing period, Switzer claimed seventh at the 2004 Footlocker National Finals (15:35) while Lodge recorded the nation's fifth-best mark in the weight throw at 71-5.
Michigan Inks Switzer, Lodge to National Letters of Intent (11/30/04)
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
