MOUNT VERNON — Mount Gilead’s Will Baker made history on Friday Nov. 12 at the 70th annual men’s Cross Country National Championship at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.
Baker placed 14th overall in his national debut for Mount Vernon Nazarene with a time of 24:44.4.
The finish is historic for Baker as he becomes the first male runner in MVNU cross country history to become an All-American.
The achievement caps off a record-breaking season for the freshman. Baker placed second amongst all Crossroads League runners in the 8K.
Indiana Wesleyan came away as the men’s national champion as a team.
The meet concludes the 2025 MVNU cross country season.
Baker Profile
High School Accolades: National Honors Society President, Honor Roll. Four-time Cross Country All-Ohio, three-time KMAC Champion, three-time District Champion, two-time Regional Champion, 2024 State Runner-Up.
Personal
Son of Joe and Brandy Baker, Sister: Ava, Brother: Gage
Favorite Athlete: Cole Hocker
Favorite Movie: Real Steel
Favorite Book: The Remains of the Day
MVNU
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.
