Men’s cross country preseason Q&A: Tim Thacker, Nathan Baker

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Milligan University seniors Tim Thacker and Nathan Baker, two of the nation's top runners, stepped aside from preseason training and talked a little about how the team looks. A national runner-up and national champion, respectively, the pair has been a major part of Milligan's recent success, which includes three Appalachian Athletic Conference titles over the last five seasons.

Last season, Baker and Thacker finished one-two at the conference championship on the way to finishing in the top 55 at the NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championship, Baker earning All-American with a 22nd-place finish.

Below, the pair talks about how the team has looked in preseason and shares some insights on the 2020 squad.

Q: How was the preseason been going?

Thacker: The preseason has been going very well! It has become obvious from the start that uncertainty due to COVID-19 has not hampered our returnees or the new incoming class. The new guys have been bringing a lot of enthusiasm every day, as well as some blistering times in practice.

Baker: Preseason has gone really well for me and the rest of the men's team. We are the fittest we have ever been at this time of the year and I think that became very clear (two weeks ago) when eight guys ran under my time trial record from last year. We took a lot of confidence and now it's time to carry on training hard as we build up to the conference championship in November.

Q: What are some of your team's goals this season?

Thacker: The team has one primary goal for the fall season – to qualify for nationals. Cross country nationals have been moved to the spring, which puts a greater importance on performance at the conference championships in the fall.

Q: What are some of your individual goals this season?

Thacker: Individually, members on the team are looking for personal records and high finishes at conference. I am personally aiming to remain healthy and build my strength and endurance across longer distances. I am also looking forward to giving the defending conference champion Nathan Baker a run for his money. We definitely bring out the best in each other so that matchup will be an exciting one!

Baker: My goal for myself is to defend my individual title which will count toward trying to win the team title again too. As a team, that's got to be the goal as winning is how we qualify for the national championships. I personally am really looking forward to managing the challenge of three national championships in three months in the spring.

Q: How does this year's team compare to last year's team? In what ways are you better?

Thacker: This year's team is bigger, younger, and older than last year's. Last year we graduated three seniors, and this year we have over twice as many. We have also brought in perhaps our largest ever recruiting class. We have more experience than ever at the top in guys like Sam Wehner and Alex Mortimer, and some exciting newcomers that can make an impact immediately like Aaron Jones, Eli Cramer, and Seth Jinks. The team depth is incredible and will only continue to improve.

Baker: This year we are on a whole different level than we were last fall. We have brought in some good freshmen to complement our strong group of upperclassmen. I think as a team the motivation levels and the hunger to be out there every day with your teammates pushing each other to be the best we can be is on another level. I know we all appreciate now how nice it is to be able to train together and motivate each other, especially after the end to the spring season we all have just been through together.

Q: How is the team adjusting to all the changes and uncertainty that's going on right now?

Thacker: The team has adjusted very well to the necessary changes made due to COVID-19. The coaching staff has been working overtime to increase safety measures while establishing a sense of normalcy, and the integrity and discipline displayed by the team from the start has been fantastic. It can be discouraging knowing that nationals is in an entirely different season, but the performance and drive of the team has only increased.