Butler's Baker, Valparaiso's Rolf Named Cross Country Athletes of the Year

Dec. 2, 2008

Cross Country Athlete of the Year Release in PDF Format

Click on the audio player below for an interview with Butler cross country coach Matt Roe



INDIANAPOLIS - Butler University senior Andy Baker and Valparaiso University senior Laura Rolf have been named the 2008 Horizon League Cross Country Athletes of the Year. It is the second League Athlete of the Year award for each athlete. Voting was conducted by Horizon League cross country coaches.

Baker repeats as Athlete of the Year after earning individual honors in each of the three postseason meets this year. The Minehead, U.K. native garnered All-America honors for the second straight year, registering a 10K time of 30:14 to place 40th at the NCAA National Championship meet on Nov. 24. He was just 13 seconds short of a spot in the top 25.

Baker placed second at the Great Lakes Regional meet on Nov. 15, covering the 10K course in 31:12.5. His effort led Butler to third place and a berth in the NCAA meet.

Baker won the Horizon League Men's Championship with an 8K effort of 24:54.1, 18 seconds ahead of the runner-up finisher. He was also the individual winner of the League race in 2007.

Baker was also named Outstanding Running Performer of the 2008 Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Championship last winter, winning the mile run as well as the 3000- and 5000-meter runs. He was also named 2008 Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year last spring.

Rolf, a native of Rochester, Mich., concluded her collegiate cross country career as a four-time All-Great Lakes Region performer and a two-time winner of the Horizon League Women's Championship. Rolf ran a 21:56.2 in the 8K regional event, placing 24th.

Valparaiso's Laura Rolf was named Horizon League Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

Rolf won the League meet for the second straight year in 2008, running the 5K course in 17:33.73. She was 29 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor.

The Horizon League awards its Cross Country Athlete of the Year awards after the NCAA meet is finished. The Horizon League Cross Country Championships were held Nov. 1 in Green Bay, Wis.