Brenton Baker crosses off final goal at Sweet Home, wins twice in return to states

North Carolina A&T commit wins long jump, teams up in 4x100 relay

AMHERST — Brenton Baker had accomplished plenty before his final training session ahead of states for outdoor track. He was already a two-time state champion in the high jump during indoor track and appeared at nationals twice for Sweet Home.

But before he crossed the stage for graduation and began the next chapter of his life competing at North Carolina A&T, Baker had one final goal to accomplish. And it would take him back to where he made his first trip to outdoor states two years ago as a sophomore: Middletown High School. 

During his first trip, Baker won the Section VI state qualifier and placed third overall in the high jump with a distance of 6 feet, 6 inches. Last year, Baker competed in the high jump and long jump events at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, but Middletown stood out to him.

“It was a really fun environment, just because that was my first year of outdoor track going to states, so I had a really good time,” Baker said. “The emotions coming back to Middletown a second time is really just fun. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment, not to put too much pressure on myself. Just have a good time. … State championship is obviously the goal, but the number one goal is, for me, just to hit that personal record for myself.”

Although Baker did not hit his personal records by the time he completed his three events on June 14, the second and final day of states, he wrapped up his career and brought home two more state championships to Sweet Home.

And, in the process, Baker made history, in terms of Section VI boys track and field. At 23-5.5, Baker won the Class B state championship in the long jump and joined Alden’s Mike Tabaczynski (2005) and Holland’s Bob Makin (2008) as the only all-time state champions from the section.

Baker also served as the second leg of Sweet Home’s Class B 4x100-meter relay team, with a finish of 42.16 seconds. Baker, Niear Patterson, DaMari Yancey and Alex Jemison became the first Sweet Home quartet to win a state title in a relay in eight years and only the seventh total from Section VI since Niagara Falls won the 4x200 in 1979.

Additionally, Baker placed fourth in Class B in the 200 at 21.97. This came after he won the event at the ECIC Track & Field (21.82) and Section VI Class AA (22.68) Championships in May.

When Baker began his track career, distance running was in the forefront. But with a desire to be a versatile athlete, Baker added on competing in the high jump and long jump events as his varsity career progressed. 

Baker’s main focus transitioning from indoor to outdoor each year relied upon an emphasis of resistance running with increments of up to 30, 50 and 80 meters. As he prepared for each event, including trying to hit his high jump goals over this season, Baker relied on different techniques to calm his stress. 

“I really watch Noah Lyles’ 200-meter races, especially when you jump to 19.31, I really watch his races just to kind of be like, ‘Okay, he did it, I can do it too,’” Baker said. “Same thing for high jump, I’ll watch high jump guys. I have a lot of guys I look up to. Dontavious Hill for high jump. Long jump, (I’m) pretty new at, so I don’t really know all the long jump guys, but if I see a good jump online, I’ll just try to use it as motivation going into the meet.” 

Up next for Baker involves continuing his track and field career at North Carolina A&T.

Ranked the No. 8 HBCU school in the country by USNews.com, the Aggies feature a men’s track and field program that won their first CAA Men’s Track & Field Championship held in North Carolina and had participants in four events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Oregon this season.

With joining the Aggies and competing at Division I comes more competition as Baker now prepares to face the best in the country. But, according to the Sweet Home coaches, he’ll have the mindset to make the transition, even if it’s needed from the first day. 

“The big thing for him, and I think that works well for him the most, is he hasn’t backed down from challenges,” Sweet Home track and field assistant coach Tomarris Bell said. “… He’ll just go out there and give everything he has. … We kind of go over the form and the technique but when it’s time to compete, the brain’s supposed to turn off. … He’s not overthinking but he’s just thinking about competing. ‘This person did this. Let me respond.’ He’s just so good at that.”