With a passion for running, a new school year ahead of her, and the fall athletics season beginning, sophomore Lauren Baker has high hopes for her track and field and cross country seasons at La Salle.

Running, Baker said, gives her the ability to test her limits, since she has adopted the mindset of persevering to become a better runner. Regardless of how she performs in the sport, she takes solace in knowing that she always tries her best.

First starting to run in elementary school, Baker said she was influenced by her brother, senior Ethan Baker, to join cross country and track at La Salle. She was also motivated to become a part of the teams to be a more active part of the school community.

“I could tell he made friends there and it was not stressful for him,” Baker said. “So I thought it would be fun to do.”

Preferring sprinting over long distance, Baker admits that running has its challenges, as a combination of factors such as diet, sleep, and environment can affect her performance on the track.

On La Salle’s cross country team, Baker has been able to face these challenges. “I feel like my coaches challenge me, but I’m not pushed to do anything too much,” Baker said.

As many people in the La Salle community are just now beginning to find community after the last year and a half of the pandemic, Baker is grateful for the connections she has been able to make in lieu of last year’s track season being cut short.

A goal she has for the upcoming season in cross country is winning the 5K run.

Baker pointed out how important her mindset and focus is especially in cross country. Baker aims to prioritize both school and sports equally by not letting one get ahead of the other.

“If I think that I’m not going to do well, then I’m not going to push myself,” Baker said. “But if I have a good attitude about it…  when I start running I feel more energized, and I feel like I can do it.”

Although she doesn’t currently have any plans to pursue sports beyond high school, Baker is looking forward to competing in the cross country team as La Salle begins to get back to some sense of normalcy.