NAU’s cross country and track program, which has been without an assistant coach since Becca Pflugrad left this spring, announced Wednesday the hiring of Adams State (Colorado) cross country coach Sadie Baker.
It may be a come down in altitude for Baker, who ran a dynastic NCAA Division II power at Adams State in Alamosa, elevation 7,543 feet, as opposed to Flagstaff’s 7,000. But it certainly is a move up career-wise to join a Lumberjack cross country staff featuring head coach and director Mike Smith and associate coach Jarred Cornfield.
Baker will work with both the men’s and women’s cross country teams, starting immediately, and the women are expected to be the favorite to win the NCAA Division I title.
At Adams State, Baker was the Grizzlies’ assistant director of recruiting and and cross country and track, as well as being the school’s director of operations. (NAU already has a director of operations, Aldo Marquez.)
In a press release, Smith said, in part: “This is a crucial hire for our program, and we sought a coach that was the right fit for NAU. … The (Adams State) program holds many similarities to NAU, from their altitude location, a decades long tradition of executing at the highest level, and a tradition of graduating decorated, successful student athletes.”
Adams’ State’s women’s cross country program has won Division II titles in 2019, 2021, and 2022 and was runner-up in 2023. Adams’ men’s team were runners up in 2019 and 2021.
Baker was a runner herself at Adams State, a member of the 2017 national title team and earned second team All-Conference honors in cross country and outdoor track (5,000 and 10,000 meters).
Leave a Reply