Kristin Baker '25 Recruiting Profile

I started running Cross country and Track in 8th grade. Ms. Zogaria was originally just my gym teacher but now she is the greatest person in the world and my coach... one day during gym class we were playing soccer and the ball went pass me and Ms.Z went running past me and I turned around so fast and got the ball before she did. She said "Dang your fast! You have to join the cross country and track team!" and so I did. Joining these sports has been the greatest decision I have ever made. Back in modified years when we only ran the mile and a half, I got first every race I went. I was awarded All-star status. Now that I moved up to Varsity I have been running really well. I've always been in the top group, either top 15 and/or more like top 10. I love Cross Country and Track but if I had to chose it would have to be Cross Country. My XC team is my family.  This year the top runner on my team fractured her ankle and was out for the rest of the season. So that meant that I had to step up and be the "Leader" I guess you could say. I didn't really understand what she meant when one day she told me that it was stressful/ sad being the "leader" because everyone blames you or dislikes you because you make them do those extra long warm-up's or even the cool down runs or stretches. After I became the "top" runner I understood what she mean't... to improve, you are going to have people dislike you...But after the season was over they all thanked me for it because it helped them improve and they were doing better than they ever did.