May 25, 2010

RedStorm sign GAHS' Baker to run

Rio Grande --- With the stroke of a pen the University of Rio Grande women's track and cross country teams have grown by one as Genna Baker of Gallia Academy High School has signed a national letter of intent to compete in both sports at Rio Grande beginning in the fall of 2010. 

Baker performed well in both sports for the Blue Angels, having lettered all four years. She served as the captain of the cross country team this past fall. Baker was a member of the Gallia Academy Cross Country teams that qualified for state competition in her freshman and junior seasons. GAHS won the Division II Regional Meet both years. 

Baker is a part of the 4 x 800-meter quartet that qualified for the regional meet this season. She will run in the 3200-meter event at the regional meet as well.

The Gallia Academy team has won the district championship all four years Baker has been in high school and the 4 x 800-meter team posted district titles in three of her four years. 

Baker's bests include running 21:04 in the 5,000-meters, 12:42 in the 3,200, 2:34 in the 800 and 5:42 in the 1,600. 

"I am very excited to continue my running career at Rio Grande," Baker said following the signing. "I think running for Rio will be an easy way to make friends and settle in on campus."

Baker discussed the deciding factors in her choosing to stay close to home at Rio Grande. "I love how close Rio Grande is to my hometown and the smaller university makes it a comfortable atmosphere," Baker said. "I am looking forward to running for Coach Willey and the University of Rio Grande."

She plans to major in nursing.

Baker considers herself a team player and a hard worker. "I believe I am a very strong team athlete and I'm always working hard to improve my times," she said.

Baker is not a stranger to Rio Grande, having run at the Rio Grande Invitational throughout her early career and living in the same county, she has been able to follow the progress of the programs over the years. "I have participated in Rio Grande's cross country invitational and also followed their program through the paper," she said. 

Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey is pleased to have Baker in the fold. "She's improved every year she's been in high school," he said. "We're very excited to have her, she's going to be able to step right in as a freshman and help us out in cross country."

"I look for her very possibly to be in our top five, right out of the gate," Willey added. "Obviously, she'll be able to help us in track as well. Like I said, we're thrilled to have her and I think she's very excited to be joining us."

Baker has set out to increase her knowledge of both sports while at Rio Grande and aims to help her team as much possible. "I have learned a lot from my prior track and cross country running and I am ready to further my knowledge of the sport," Baker said. "I also want to run, not just for myself, but for my upcoming team." 

Genna is the daughter of Gary and Gwynne Baker of Gallipolis. 

Baker joins Rachel Six of Trimble High School, Amanda Neal from Point Pleasant High School and Vinton County High School's Scharlena Champion as the current members of the 2010-11 RedStorm women's track and field recruiting class. Neal and Champion will also be running cross country with Baker.