Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Cross Country Signs Five Recruits
6/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
June 21, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's cross country program signed five athletes to National Letters of Intent to run cross country and track for the 2000-2001 campaign.
Steve Padgett (Cincinnati, Ohio) comes to MSU after an outstanding senior campaign at LaSalle High School. Padgett was crowned the 1999 Ohio Cross Country State Champ. He also competed at the Footlocker Nationals in the 5000, where he placed 9th earning him second team All-America honors. Padgett was also awarded Nike Indoor All-America honors in the two-mile race. As a member of LaSalle's track squad, Padgett contributed on the all-state 3200-meter relay team and was the Cincinnati city record holder in the 3200 meters.
Travis Crawford (Traverse City, Mich.) will be entering the Michigan State program after an excellent high school career. Crawford was listed all-state in cross country in both his sophomore and junior years, as well as all-region in all four years of competition. After a stress fracture forced him to sit out the beginning of senior season, Crawford rebounded becoming three-time all-conference in both cross country and track. Crawford was also voted the Most Outstanding Athlete in cross country for Traverse City West High School.
Mike Thorson (Port Elgin, Ontario) was a member of the Saugeen Track and Field Club, which has won the Canadian Junior Cross Country Championships for the past three years. In 1999, Thorson won the OFSAA Senior Cross Country title, as well as placing sixth at the Canadian Junior Cross Country Championship. Thorson also competed at the 2000 World Junior Cross Country Championships were he finished 117th.
Andy Marsh (Grand Ledge, Mich.) became the Greater Lansing Cross Country Champion and Capital Area Conference Champion in both 1998 and 1999. While competing for Grand Ledge High School, Marsh was all-state in 1998 and 1999 for his top 15 finishes in the championship meet. He is the school's record holder in the 3200 meters (9:10.09) and 1600 meters (4:19.80).
Steve Sherer (Saline, Mich.) competed for Saline High School where he was honored with both all-conference and all-region honors in 1999. During his track career, Sherer won the 800 meters at the Midwest Meet of Champions. His winning time of 1:52.20 was the third fastest time in meet history. Academically, Sherer is at the top of his class, as he graduated with honors and was awarded the Michigan Merit Award.
