Butler's Baker and Valparaiso's Rolf named Horizon League Cross Country Athletes of the Year

Nov. 26, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS -

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Butler University junior Andy Baker and Valparaiso University junior Laura Rolf have been named the 2007 Horizon League Cross Country Athletes of the Year, the League office announced Monday, November 26. The League's ten head cross country coaches voted for the athletes after the season was completed.

Baker became Butler's sixth consecutive male cross country Athlete of the Year as he took top individual honors at the Horizon League Cross Country Championships last month in Valparaiso, Ind. Baker then went on to take third-place at the Great Lakes Regional, earning him All-Region recognition and qualifying him for the National Championship meet in Terre Haute, Ind. At the NCAA meet, he earned All-America honors as he placed 28th in the 10,000 meter race. Baker is the first Butler All-American in cross country since 2004, and was just one minute behind the individual champion.

In her first year in the Horizon League, Laura Rolf won all five races she ran in, including the Horizon League Championship, where she took home Valpo's first individual Horizon League championship in any sport. She then went on to earn All-Region honors for the third straight year, as she finished sixth at Great Lakes regional meet, and qualified for the NCAA National meet for the second consecutive season. Rolf also set a new Valpo 5K record by winning Evansville Invitational in 16:40.33.The cross country Athlete of the Year awards were first handed out in 2002, and a Butler male has received the award every year since its inception.

Horizon League Cross Country Athletes of the Year

2002,Mark Tucker, Butler;Kim Hemstreet, Detroit
2003,Olly Laws, Butler;Becky Lyne, Butler
2004,Andrew Sherman, Butler;Victoria Mitchell, Butler
2005,Andy Rayner, Butler;Victoria Mitchell, Butler
2006,Scott Overall, Butler;Ava Hutchinson, Butler
2007,Andy Baker, Butler;Laura Rolf, Valparaiso