Baker, Kearney garner national award
With three No. 1 national marks between the two of them, Milligan University's Nathan Baker and Emily Kearney are the NAIA track athletes of the week for the week ending March 21. This follows their wins of Appalachian Athletic Conference track athlete of the week.
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 24, 2021) – With three No. 1 national marks between the two of them, Milligan University's Nathan Baker and Emily Kearney are the NAIA track athletes of the week for the week ending March 21. This follows their wins of Appalachian Athletic Conference track athlete of the week.
Baker ran the No. 1 time in the NAIA at 1500 meters (3:53.79) and the No. 2 time at 5000 meters (14:30.60). Both marks were personal bests, and he broke the Milligan record in the 5k.
Kearney ran the No. 1 time in the nation at all levels over 5000 meters (15:39.65) and the No. 1 time in the NAIA at 1500 meters (4:26.46). Kearney's 5k time was easily one of the fastest ever by an NAIA athlete and marked a 38-second personal best. She also set the Milligan record in the event.
Kearney's 1500-meter time is over nine seconds faster than anyone else in the NAIA this season, and her 5k time is a whopping 1:35 faster than anyone else.
Baker, Kearney and the Buffs return to action for a meet at Montreat next weekend.