Ian Baker has the dream of being a Division I runner.
The Gunnison sophomore is headed to the Nike Cross Southwest Regional 2025 at Coyote Run Golf Course on Saturday in Mesa, Arizona. Baker, who finished 57th at the Class 3A state meet on Nov. 1, will compete against runners from Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada.
“I’m so pumped,” Baker said. “It’s 3.1 miles at 1,000 feet of elevation, so for us, basically sea level and it’s on a golf course.”
Under the warm Arizona sun surrounded by palm trees, cactuses and some of the country’s top runners, Baker wants to measure his skills against the best. It’s a speed race which will give him a chance to show what his father, Wade Baker has labeled “The Baker Kick.”
At the moment when your leg muscles are starched, cramps are just one more foot turn away and every part of your body is moments from turning into a limp noodle, that’s when Baker finds another level.
Ideally it happens around 800 meters. Joe: runs out of gas 1,000 meters into the race and has to battle. As he pumps his legs a big higher and opens his hips a touch more there’s a sudden burst. An acceleration to carry through to the finish line. A mental fortitude where you forget about aching muscles, a dry throat and sweat beads stinging your eyes with every step.
You go faster than ever before and that’s The Baker Kick.
“My dad said all Bakers have an amazing kick,” Ian said. “He’s always told me no matter how tired I am when it’s time to kick, you kick. Once you know when you’re feeling empty your mind will just want to go and finish. I pick up my knees a little higher, open my stride and just get going. My body starts moving and I add a little more every step. Before I know it, I am at full speed.”
Gunnison cross country coach Blake Davis ran in the Nike Cross three times. He marveled at the big race environment. The vibes and energy of the day are infectious as everyone wants to run fast against the best of the best.
While he ran cross country at Western Colorado, Davis knows about the difficulty of training through Western Slope winters. It’s cold, it’s dark before school and dark after school. There’s an internal drive needed and he’s seen it with Ian.
“Ian has been training alone,” Davis said. “He took a few days off after state, then got back after it. He wants to see how fast he can go at sea level. It shows his dedication. He’s willing to do things that are not enjoyable or fun and still do them. It shows a lot of discipline. To go into winter and still train will set him apart from other people. It’s not easy to train through the winter. It’s cold and it gets dark early.”
But on Saturday, it’ll be nice and warm in Arizona.
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
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