Track and Field Adds Two Top Athletes for 2005-06 – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Nov. 29, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State track and field coaching staff announced the addition of Wendy’s High School Heisman Finalist Brandon Cathcart and four-time All-Ohio runner Jeff See Monday. Cathcart of Salisbury, N.C., and See, of Middletown, Ohio, are the first additions to the 2005-06 freshman class that will attend Ohio State in the fall.
Cathcart, who will compete in the long jump and triple jump, boasts an impressive resume, which includes a North Carolina state title in the long jump as a junior. His career best leap in the long jump of 24-feet-2-1/2-inches ranks eighth in the country among returning high school long jumpers.
In the triple jump, Cathcart’s marks are just as impressive as he posted a jump of 50-feet-5-inches to claim the 2004 National Junior Olympic crown. His mark in the triple jump ranks third in the country among returning high school long jumpers.
“Brandon is one of the Top 5 recruits in the country,” Tom Doyle, Ohio State jumps coach, said. “He is an extremely gifted athlete that has competed on the national level, but is still raw in many areas.”
Cathcart also boasts a tremendous reputation off the track, earning scholar athlete and national honor roll marks in the classroom. In addition to his studies, Cathcart volunteers at an assisted living center and ministry programs in the Salisbury area.
“I am most impressed by Brandon as a person,” Russ Rogers, Ohio State track and field head coach, said. “He comes from a nice family and is a product of a great upbringing in North Carolina. Being a great athlete is just one part of his personality.
Cathcart echoes Doyle’s excitement.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to compete at Ohio State,” Cathcart said. “The coaching staff is a group of honest individuals that have a good background in track and field.”
See like Cathcart also boasts an impressive high school resume, which includes four trips to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state cross country meet. In his four trips, See has won the event twice posting times of 15:40 in his junior season and 15:25 in his senior season.
Most recently, See won the 2004 Regional Midwest Footlocker Cross Country Championships in a time of 15:22, Saturday and will compete in the 2004 National Footlocker Cross Country Championships on Dec. 11.
“I really feel Jeff is one of the top distance recruits in the country,” Robert Gary, Ohio State cross country coach, said. “He has tremendous speed, which really helps for championship racing. He is well coached, has great potential and high goals. I have been very impressed with both Jeff and his family throughout the recruiting process.”
On the track, See has posted personal best times of 1:54 in the 800-meter run, 4:06 in the 1,600-meter run and 9:14 in the 3,200-meter run.
See’s time of 4:06 in the 1,600-meter run came during his sophomore season at the Adidas outdoor track and field championships and set a national sophomore record, which broke the previous sophomore record held by Alan Webb.
“It is definitely very exciting to attend Ohio State in the fall,” See said. “Coach Gary really knows distance running and I feel very comfortable about the decision I have made.”
