Class Four, An Inside Look: Michael Borda
11/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Nov. 13, 2015
The University of Michigan men's lacrosse team inked 12 student-athletes as members of the team's 2015 recruiting class last spring. The recruiting class is the fourth full class in the team's varsity history. MGoBlue.com will sit down with each incoming freshman on an individual basis this fall.
Up this week is close defender Michael Borda, who is ranked as the No. 88 player in the Inside Lacrosse Power 100 and the No. 17 defending in this season's freshman class. Borda, whose brother Matt plays at Fairfield, hails from Kensington, Maryland, and attended Gonzaga Prep.
On how having his brother Matt playing college lacrosse has given him a leg up ... "I definitely knew what the workload was going to be like already, and I knew how rigorous the training was going to be. Other than that, it really just helped me with the recruiting process because I had already gone and visited his school. I love Fairfield, but I definitely knew after visiting here a few times that I wanted to go to a bigger school. I narrowed it down after that to something with a big football school, and I looked around for places like that. When I stepped on this campus I knew Michigan was the place for me."
On what defensive coordinator Ken Broschart and the veteran players have taught him so far ... "From the older guys, it's a lot of getting drill to drill, and once they see me make a mistake, they'll help me out with that. With coach, it's more taking out the quirks that I had from playing high school lacrosse and getting my stick up field, not using my stick as much, and using lots of body because kids here are a lot bigger. Also, losing some bad habits, like not throwing bounce passes anymore. It's stuff that I've been able to get away with, and now that the game is on a higher level, I can't really do it anymore. So, he's helping me take those out of my game and narrowed me down to a college player not just an athlete anymore."
On which current players, particularly on defense, have helped him the most ... "I've have to say Andrew Hatton, just because he's my particular position. Chase Brown has also been a huge help because he's one of the most vocal players on the team and also in our defensive group."
On what would make it a successful year for him ... "For me, I think getting myself into shape is going to be huge. If I can say I'm at a point where I'm lifting as much as I want to be and I'm running as fast as I want to be, that is going to be a success for the year. I'm learning my role right now, but if I can start getting on the field taking reps (obviously that's a success) but really just helping the team any way that I can. I just want to learn, because some of the seniors are leaving this year, and it will be difficult not having them. Basically, just building myself, and if I can get to a point where I can see that I've grown and I can be used in the next couple years, then that will be a success."
• Previous Inside Look: Brent Noseworthy
