BAXTER ON THE TRAIL
Baxter proudly displays her team's Division I third-place
trophy at the CIF State Cross Country Championships
this past November in Fresno.
File photo by David Steutel
With all eyes on her, Baxter finished off one of the best cross country seasons ever by winning her second-straight Nike Cross Nationals championship at Portland Meadows in Oregon.
She became the first runner to win consecutive NXN titles by crossing over a muddy course in 19 minutes, 16.79 seconds, edging New York phenom Mary Cain, who was second in 19:20.88.
Earlier, Baxter set a California State Division I record while taking her third-straight title at Woodward Park in Fresno in a course record of 16:40. She also broke course records at the Mt. SAC Invitational, Marmonte League championship and Southern Section championship.
Despite her domination in the sport, she couldn’t be more unassuming or supportive, according to teammates. It’s not phony either, they told the Los Angeles Times.
Often Baxter will finish a race, wipe down, take a few breaths and then go back to cheer on her teammates.
“We’ll all be kicking around the finish and she’ll be standing there all rested and waiting for us,” teammate Sarah Riggs told Bill Plaschke. “It’s just unnatural.”
