Four athletes to compete at college level

Wildcat runners Dominic Bruce (from left), Bridget Cusick and Ulises Rodriguez signed last Thursday to continue running track and cross country at their respective colleges. Photo provided.
Wildcat runners Dominic Bruce (from left), Bridget Cusick and Ulises Rodriguez signed last Thursday to continue running track and cross country at their respective colleges. Photo provided.
Wildcat swimmer Garrett Warren (center) received a scholarship to swim at Notre Dame College next year with Head Coach Jackie Rank (left) and Assistant Coach Paul Howard (right) standing by. Photo by Heather Smith.
Wildcat swimmer Garrett Warren (center) received a scholarship to swim at Notre Dame College next year with Head Coach Jackie Rank (left) and Assistant Coach Paul Howard (right) standing by. Photo by Heather Smith.

Spring signing day is another opportunity for student-athletes to make their college decisions official by putting pen to paper and committing to where they’ll be competing as they advance to the next level in their respective sports.

Oxford High School had four signees last Thursday, including cross country/track athletes Dominic Bruce (DePaul University), Bridget Cusick (Saginaw Valley State) and Ulises Rodriguez (Wayne State University), along with swim athlete Garrett Warren (Notre Dame College).

Bruce, Cusick and Rodriguez will each continue running when their time at Oxford is over.

Bruce, who ran varsity cross country and track for four years at OHS, will continue to run both in college.

Bruce was named an All-League athlete for three years at OHS and was named Most Valuable Player in cross country for two years. He has also been named an All-Region and All-County athlete for running.

Bruce holds the third-fastest score on school record for the 5k in cross country. He was also a state qualifier in the 5k for cross country and in 4×800 for track.

Head Coach Norman Petersimes said he would be “blessed” if he should ever have the chance to coach another athlete like Bruce.

“Dominic made my transition into coaching very smooth. He is one of the top distance runners that the school has ever seen,” Petersimes said.

Assistant Coach Don Richmond added that Bruce possesses a complete understanding of the sport of running.

“It makes him a joy to coach. He will be a blessing for DePaul University, I have no doubt,” Richmond added.

Bruce plans to study economics.

Cusick signed to run both track and cross country at Saginaw Valley State University next year. She is a four-year varsity athlete in both cross country and track and a scholar-athlete.

She served as senior captain in cross country and has been named an All-Region athlete. As a junior, she was named Most Valuable Player in cross country.

Petersimes described Cusick as “one of the hardest working athletes” he has ever coached, while Richmond called her a “strong, quiet leader who leads by example.”

“We will miss her impact on the team,” Richmond said.

Cusick plans to major in fine arts with a concentration in photography and minor in graphic design.

Rodriguez, who began running track as a sophomore and began cross country as a junior, will run cross country as a Warrior at Wayne State.

Despite his late start, Rodriguez quickly rushed to the head of the pack at OHS. He was named an All-County athlete in cross country.

Petersimes said Rodriguez showed some of the greatest improvement he has ever seen in an athlete.

“He went from being back in the pack as a junior varsity runner up to (being) one of the leaders on the varsity team,” said Petersimes.

Richmond described Rodriguez as determined and focused.

“Once he makes his mind up, there is no stopping him. Ulises was very useful for the team,” Richmond added.

Rodriguez plans to study criminal justice at Wayne State.

Warren, who swam for the OHS varsity swim team all four years, is set to continue his career in the water at Notre Dame College in Euclid, Ohio.

Warren was named Most Valuable Player for three years and Freshman of the Year during his first year

He served as senior captain of the swim team and currently holds the school record for the 100 butterfly. He also holds the school record for highest points ever achieved in a season (more than 200).

Head Coach Jackie Rank said Warren has been a “huge presence” on the Wildcat swim team.

“I am excited to see him continue his pursuit of excellence at Notre Dame College. I know he is capable of so much more in his swimming career,” Rank added.

Warren plans to study computer science and web development.

 

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