Olivet’s Baker chosen MIAA Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week

FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College senior Bruce Baker has been chosen the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week.

Baker placed third in a field of 216 runners at the Lansing Community College Invitational Oct. 6 at Grand Woods Park in Lansing. His time was 25 minutes and 40.3 seconds, which was a little less than nine seconds slower than his personal-best. The two runners to finish ahead of Baker were from the host school and their times were only 19.8 and 8.7 seconds faster.

"Bruce has done a tremendous job this season and the race on Friday was another indication that he is competing at a high level," said Olivet head cross country coach Karen Lutzke. "His time of 25:40 was the second best time of his career, with his best time coming at the MIAA Jamboree two weeks ago. We are looking forward to the championship portion of the cross country season to see what he can accomplish his senior year."

Olivet returns to action Saturday at the Inter-Regional Rumble, hosted by Oberlin (Ohio) College. The men's 8K race starts at 11:15 a.m.