Baker, Kearney win AAC athlete of the week

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 22, 2021) – With three No. 1 national marks between the two of them, Milligan University's Nathan Baker and Emily Kearney are the Appalachian Athletic Conference track athletes of the week for the week ending March 21. The AAC made the announcement Monday afternoon.

Baker won the award for the fourth time in his career following wins three times during the 2019 cross country season. Kearney, a four-time NAIA national champion, four-time national runner-up, 10-time All-American and 15-time AAC champion in cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field prior to arriving at Milligan, won for the first time in her Milligan career. This is the first time Kearney is eligible for the award since transferring to Milligan.

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.