Signing Day: Finn, Pendleton of West Bloomfield Make it Official

Two West Bloomfield High School seniors joined student-athletes from across the country Wednesday in formally signing their letters of intent to compete at respective colleges, universities, and service academies next fall.

Star runner Erin Finn and tennis player Aerielle Pendleton committed to the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at a small ceremony where friends, neighbors and coaches discussed the pasts and futures of the two Lakers student-athletes. 

For Finn in particular, it's a time of finalty for those schools in and far outside of Michigan which had studied and cornered them throughout their decorated careers. Last November, Finn won for the second consecutive year at the Division 1 cross-country state championship.

Next fall, she'll be part of a talented Wolverines team which includes Shannon Osika (Waterford Mott), Brook Handler (Rochester) and Taylor Manett (Rockford). Finn plans to major in biomedical engineering.

"As the most-recruited athlete in West Bloomfield history ... it's phenomenal how she has dealt with success. She's got a great future ahead of her at Michigan," said track and field coach Rick Mickley.

As a former All-Oakland County and current top 10-ranked tennis player in the state, Pendleton heads off to play for a Wisconsin-Milwaukee team which fell in the first round of the Horizon League championship playoff last season to Detroit. She said that in addition to making the NCAA tournament, she plans to major in international relations.

"The recruiting process was easy for me, because Milwaukee felt like home. That's just what I looking for," Pendleton said.

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• You can also email Tim Rath at tim.rath@patch.com.