MAC Track Athlete of the Week: Layne Baggett

 

 

Layne Baggett, a senior track runner and hurdler at Miami University, was recently named the Mid-American Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Week. This season, she is the first RedHawk to be awarded a MAC Women’s Track or Field Athlete of the Week. 

 

She started running track in the fourth grade. 

 

“I can still remember crying before my first race because I was terrified to run them,” Baggett said. 

 

Eighth grade is when she started running hurdles, her main event today. 

 

Baggett can be found running the 60m and the 60m hurdles during the indoor season. During the outdoor season she competes in the 100m hurdles along with the 4×1 relay, while occasionally running the 100 and the 200m. 

 

In high school, Baggett was recruited by Miami coaches to join the track team. Her father suggested a visit to Miami and upon walking through campus, she knew it was the school for her. She loved the look and feel of the campus, but she also loved the team. 

 

“The team was extremely welcoming and I don’t think my visit could have gone any better,” Baggett said. “I couldn’t imagine myself running for any other school.”

 

Although the coaches that found the track star are no longer at Miami, Baggett said that she considers herself, “very lucky to have the coaches we do [have] now. They have been able to learn my strengths and weaknesses and have helped me become a better athlete.” 

 

 

 

Between practicing everyday, lifting two to three times a week, and competitions, the busy Baggett was able to answer some questions about her life on the Miami track team:

 

 

There have been so many good memories I have had while being part of the track program at Miami it is hard to pick just one. One moment that stands out was during my sophomore year on the 4×1 relay. I was coming to the exchange zone only to discover my teammate was nowhere to be seen. All of a sudden she pops out on the track still in her sweat pants and t-shirt to receive the baton. It turns out she thought we were in another heat. It has become one of the most talked about races on the team. The best memories I have are from just being with my team. With all the different personalities, there is usually never a dull moment. The bus rides, dinners at Martin, and the pre-meet dance parties have always provided the greatest sources of entertainment. 

 

 

Qualifying for the regional meet, which was held at University of North Florida last year, and making to the second round was a huge accomplishment for me. I never would have imagined I would be running next to some of the top hurdlers in the nation. I also tied the school record in the 100 hurdles today so I am very glad that I was able to reach a goal I have been chasing ever since I started running at Miami. Being that the season is not over yet, I am very proud of myself for qualifying for the regional meet again and I am hoping to make it to the NCAA national meet this year. 

 

 

I love being able to see the results from all the work I have put in. The fact that I do not know what the next race will bring always keeps me motivated. It is such a great feeling finishing a race and running the fastest you have ever run. I also love competition, so being able to race different girls almost every weekend always keeps me eager to run.

 

 

To the freshmen on the team I would say to cherish the memories you make on and off the track. College goes way too fast and your last meet will be here in a blink of an eye. I would also tell them to trust their training and their coaches. Coming from high school track to college track is a whole new world. You cannot get discouraged if you do start running personal bests from the beginning. Your body has to adjust to the different type of training and it is important you do everything possible to try and remain healthy. 

 

 

Baggett claims she has created many memories on the track that will last a lifetime. 

 

“The team has become part of my family and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of sisters,” Baggett said. “The four years I have had at Miami have gone so fast and I cannot believe I will not be running around the track next year. I am looking forward to finishing out the year and hopefully making it my best one yet!”