The Baker University cross country teams continue to exude excellence, as the women finished fifth and the men finished third overall Friday at Emporia State University.
The two top competitors for the ’Cats were junior Aaron Caldwell and sophomore Lauren Jaqua. Caldwell finished 15th overall for the men with a time of 26:11.18 in the men’s 8k run. Jaqua finished fifth overall with a time of 18:32.53 in the women’s 5k race.
Head coach Zach Kindler loves the attitude of his team at this point in the season.
“Aaron and Lauren, they’re just having fun now,” Kindler said. “I was at the three and a half mile mark. and I’m looking at Aaron, he’s coming up a hill, and he’s looking at me and he’s smiling. I said ‘Aaron what are you smiling about?’ and he says ‘just having fun coach.’”
Kindler believes that the upcoming meet can really launch both the men and women’s teams to the forefront, but he knows his team needs to stay focused.
“If we win, then we have that target on our back,” Kindler said. “Once you’re at the top, it’s tougher to stay at the top, too.”