RunMichigan.com - Michigan Men's Track Lands Three More Prospects 4/16/98

April 16, 1998

Men's Track Lands Three More Prospects

The Michigan men's track & field program is in the midst of enjoying their best recruiting class in some time, signing four student-athletes to National letters of intent.

During the initial week of the late signing period for track, Michigan has landed three highly rated high school prospects to go with nationally ranked sprinter and hurdler Derek Applewhite (Denver, CO/Brighton HS), who signed during the early signing period. The three signees are distance runner Mark Pilja (Naperville, IL/Naperville North HS), long sprinter Ike Okenwa (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) along with triple and long jumper Oded Padan (Tel-Aviv, Israel/Alliance HS).

Okenwa and Padan fill immediate needs in the sprints and jumps for the Wolverines, however, that was merely a coincidence. According to Head Coach Jack Harvey, "We had not intended to simply fill needs with this class, we wanted to get quality athletes, but it worked out that we got quality kids and filled needs at the same time." Okenwa is the top-ranked 200-meter runner in California and was rated 12th in the nation in the 200-meter dash indoor. Padan, an accomplished long jumper as well as triple jumper, is currently the second rated high and triple jumper among high school athletes in Israel.

The third signature the Michigan coaches received this week was from distance runner Pilja, who hopes to continue the legacy of great distance runners at Michigan. Pilja was the Illinois state champion in the both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs as a junior.

That foursome will be the nucleus of a class which is long on potential. "You do not know until they get here, but on paper it certainly appears to be one of the best classes we have had in quite a few years," stated Harvey. This class has the chance to put Michigan back in the elite of the Big Ten according to Harvey, "If we can build with these guys, we can be very competitive in the Big Ten championships within the next two years."

The Maize and Blue are also hoping to get help from football recruit Justin Fargas (Sherman Oaks, CA/Notre Dame HS), the reigning 100-meter dash state champion in California.

For more information on University of Michigan Track & Field contact:
http://www.umich.edu/~mgoblue/TrackField-m/

Press Release courtesy of University of Michigan Athletics

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