May 2, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's track and field team will have a new addition to the throwing corps for the 2009 outdoor season. Thrower Justin Cutler signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Bulldogs.

Cutler, who prepped at Templeton High School in Templeton, Calif., is among the state's top competitors in the shot put and the discus. With a 59-9 mark in the shot put, Cutler owns his high school's record by over 17 feet. That distance puts him in fifth among California competitors, is nearly three feet further than the current Fresno State freshman record of 56 feet, 10 inches and easily within Fresno State's top 10 in all time records.

Cutler's personal best of 179-11 in the discus is just as impressive. Breaking the Templeton school record by 15 feet, Cutler holds the state's No. 6 spot for the discus and would easily break the Bulldog freshman record as well as rank among the top 10 without any improvement.

But according to throws coach Ramona Pagel, the 6-3 Cutler will only better himself at the Division I level.

"He is a very talented athlete," she said. "I am really looking forward to working with him and seeing him excel."

Cutler will fill the team's gaps as the Bulldogs lose Brian Vazquez, Oscar Rodriguez and Chris Wistcher, all NCAA Regional veterans, to graduation this spring.

"He's what we need for our team next year," said Pagel. "He has the right attitude, he wants to win and that's what we need."

The future history major was also recruited by Sacramento State, CSU Bakersfield and UCSB.

Join the State - Fresno State! The Bulldogs travel to Boise, Idaho, for the WAC Championships May 14-17.