Tyler Baker

Bio

A relative beginner to distance runninng, Baker competed only his senior year in both track and cross country.  An avid baseball player during high school, Baker focused on cross country and track his senior year, competing in the Florida State Track meet in the boys 4x800 meters.  In his freshman year with the Falcons, he posted a 29:00 8k time and raced himself into the Falcon top seven, competing at the 2019 NJCAA National Cross Country Championships.  Mainly an 800m runner in high school, he made the jump to the mile and 1500 meters in the spring of 2020 and posted a 4:17 1500 at the end of February.  "I think if we had gotten to see Tyler run all the way through the spring, he really would have surprised a lot of people.  He is a really good athlete and he has commited to running.  He has the talent and work ethic to move on after Daytona State and that has been our focus since the end of cross last year." Coach Judy Wilson said.   

Outlook for 2021 Season:  Baker decided to stay for the 2021 season in an attempt to gain more experience and strength to compete at the next level.   He will also help the Falcons in their quest to place higher at the NJCAA Championships this fall. 

Coach Wilson Comments: Tyler is just a great example of a guy working very hard.  He has proved to be a tough competitor.  I see him in our top five, running with guys who's high school 5k pr's were 60-90 faster than his.  He has come a long way in a short period of time. 

High school Personal Records:  400m - 49 seconds (4x400), 800m - 2:01, and 5k  cross country - 17:34.   State meet qualifier in the 4x400 and 4x800. District champion in the open 800, and top 20 at states in Cross Country as a team.      

Baker says:  "Seeing people strive like Eliud Kipchoge, who recently broke the 2-hour barrier in the marathon (unofficially) is what I admire the most.  Seeing that drive to keep wanting to push yourself and be better every day without complaint.  Thats what I strive and admire the most. 

Why did you choose Daytona State College:   The real reason I chose Daytona state was because I had nowhere else to go.  I wasn't a standout of any sorts, I wasn't scouted by any schools, I was an average runner, but I wanted to keep going.  So, my friend who was coming to Daytona state to run told me I should call the coach and ask if I could come run, so that's what I did.  Luckily, there was 1 or 2 spots remaining on the team, and she said I could come out and run.

Hobbies:  Drawing, Sailing, Running