Bobcats Ink Bozeman's Baldus
4/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Bozeman High standout Chris Baldus has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to join the Montana State track and field and cross country program next year, Bobcat coach Dale Kennedy announced.
Baldus becomes MSU's first announced track signee of the spring, and also becomes the 'next generation' of the Bobcat distance program, as MSU rebuilds next fall after losing four outstanding seniors. "We're real excited to have Chris join our program," Kennedy said. "We'll be so young next year in cross country that we'll count on him helping us right away."
A two-time team captain for former Bobcat Clint May in cross country and for May and Mary Murphy in track and field at Bozeman High, Baldus was the program's Hawk of the Year in 2004. He was third in the state in last fall's cross country meet, and was his team's Most Valuable Runner. He finished second in the 3200 at the state meet last spring, third the year before, and was fourth in the 1600 in 2004. He has posted best marks of 4:28 in the 1600 and 9:50 in the 3200, both at altitude.
The mark Kennedy is most impressed with, though, is the 52.0 he has run in the 400 m. "The upside is that Chris has good speed, which we think will allow him to emerge at the Division I level. That's an excellent indicator."
Baldus maintains a 4.2 GPA at Bozeman High, earned a Montana University System Honors Scholarship, won the Wendy's Heismann High School Award, and is a National Honor Society member. He is a seven-time academic all-state honoree between track and cross country.
Kennedy indicated he expects to announce several other signings in the upcoming days.
Baldus becomes MSU's first announced track signee of the spring, and also becomes the 'next generation' of the Bobcat distance program, as MSU rebuilds next fall after losing four outstanding seniors. "We're real excited to have Chris join our program," Kennedy said. "We'll be so young next year in cross country that we'll count on him helping us right away."
A two-time team captain for former Bobcat Clint May in cross country and for May and Mary Murphy in track and field at Bozeman High, Baldus was the program's Hawk of the Year in 2004. He was third in the state in last fall's cross country meet, and was his team's Most Valuable Runner. He finished second in the 3200 at the state meet last spring, third the year before, and was fourth in the 1600 in 2004. He has posted best marks of 4:28 in the 1600 and 9:50 in the 3200, both at altitude.
The mark Kennedy is most impressed with, though, is the 52.0 he has run in the 400 m. "The upside is that Chris has good speed, which we think will allow him to emerge at the Division I level. That's an excellent indicator."
Baldus maintains a 4.2 GPA at Bozeman High, earned a Montana University System Honors Scholarship, won the Wendy's Heismann High School Award, and is a National Honor Society member. He is a seven-time academic all-state honoree between track and cross country.
Kennedy indicated he expects to announce several other signings in the upcoming days.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
