Baker's double leading into a big 600
By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor
The versatility that Olivia Baker showed on Tuesday at the Varsity Classic could be leading up to an even bigger show this weekend.
The Columbia Maplewood NJ senior is entered in the 600 meters on Friday at the Armory Collegiate Invitational, one of a handful of high quality junior and high school races during a jam-packed schedule of college events.
After mixing up a 1,600-meter split with an open 200 on Tuesday, Baker said the main purpose to run two different races was to get some extra time on the track.
"All of the snow lately has caused us to have to be very creative with the way we've worked out over the past couple of weeks, so getting onto a track and feeling it again was a crucial step in preparing for the upcoming events," she said.
The impending 600, which will require a mixutre of endurance and speed, also played a role, in the 1,600/200 double. On Friday, she will try to find a rhythm that fits right between those two extremes.
The national record is held by Janine Davis of Queen of Peace NJ, 1:29.27 from 2005. Basically, that's slightly faster than four-minute mile pace.