05/09/08
In a short period of time, head golf coach Karen Exon and head track and field coach Zach Kindler have built two quality programs.
Exon led the men’s golf team to a second place finish at conference and a fourth place finish at its regional, and Kindler’s women’s track team finished third at conference for both the indoor and outdoor teams and have several athletes competing at nationals.
This was Exon’s third year as men’s and women’s golf coach and the lone senior, Michael Kahler, is the only player on the team she did not recruit.
One thing that Exon does while recruiting is to not only find good golfers but also good students and good people.
“It all starts in the classroom,” sophomore Gavin Tatrn said. “She really pushes us as students.”
Kahler is an academic All-American, and the rest of the top five players have the grades to also receive that honor once they are eligible. Freshman Chris Wilson is also a Harter Scholar at Baker.
Tatrn said Exon knows the chemistry between players on the team and manages the team really well.
“She’s a good person to have out there and is always there to give a helping hand,” Tatrn said. “It’s always fun to play for coach.” Kindler’s first year as head coach for Baker’s track and field team could not have gone much better.
“It’s exciting being only a first-year coach,” Kindler said. “The coaching staff got coach of the year – not just me.”
Saxony Ortiz is the only senior on the team, and there are some talented returning athletes, like sophomore Ashlee Miller and junior Chelsey Ornburn, among many others.
Track is mostly an individual sport, but Kindler has brought in the team concept and team unity.
“The most impressive thing I saw was the women’s team came together as a team,” Kindler said. “It can be tough to get the team concept.”
Freshman Mary Loveland said when Kindler came in, he told the team this would be a transition and made it clear he was going to make some changes, but he always promoted team unity.
The first year for a new coach is thought of as a transition year.
Although it has been that, the team broke many school records.
“Next year, everyone will be more comfortable and know what to expect,” Loveland said.