DeWolf, Baker sweep AAC Runner of the Week

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Oct. 28, 2019) – Two record book-altering runs led Milligan College's Avery DeWolf and Nathan Baker to a sweep of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Cross-Country Runner of the Week award. The AAC office announced the awards Monday afternoon for the week ending Oct. 27.

The award was the first of the season and first of her career for DeWolf. Baker won for the third time this season and third time in his career.

DeWolf became the second-fastest female in Milligan history over the cross-country 5k, posting a time of 17:44 to lead Milligan to a head-to-head victory over Montreat Friday night on the Tweetsie Trail. DeWolf won the race by seven seconds as Milligan posted a perfect score with all of the top seven runners.

The race featured two of the top programs in the NAIA, Milligan ranking No. 7 nationally and Montreat in the receiving votes category. The programs are No. 2 and No. 4 in the AAC according to the latest rating.

Similarly on the men's side, the race featured two national top-25 programs and several strong individuals, including Baker who set a new Milligan 5k record at 14:56. Baker won the race by 10 seconds and led a pack of five Buffs inside the top seven. Baker's mark was 43 seconds better than the former record, set by two-time All-American Taylor Tafelsky at 15:39 in 2016.

The Buffs are through the regular season and will now turn their focus to the championship portion of the season, starting with the AAC Championships Saturday, Nov. 9. After that, they will head to the NAIA Championships Friday, Nov. 22.