Maddi Baker Wins Discus National Title At New Balance Championship
Mercer County Senior High School track and field star Maddi Baker finished in first place in the the freshman discus throw at the New Balance Outdoor Track and Field Nationals. Baker set a meet record with a throw of 43.94. (Image submitted).
April Ellis
Herald Staff
With one powerful throw and a whole lot of heart, Mercer County Senior High’s Maddi Baker catapulted herself into the national spotlight last week by winning first place in the freshman girls’ discus throw at the prestigious New Balance National Track and Field Championships on Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Penn.
Competing against the top high school throwers from across the country, Baker delivered a stunning personal-best and meet-record throw of 144 feet (43.9 meters), clinching the national title and leaving her mark on the national stage.
Baker won the KHSAA 2A state discus throw earlier in the summer throwing 129’6, more than 10 feet further than the second place competitor. For nationals, Baker’s training paid off.
“It felt amazing. I couldn’t even put it into words how excited I was,” Baker said, still soaking in the excitement. “The first thing that went through my mind was ‘wow.’ I couldn’t believe that I had just thrown that. Then I just said, ‘Thank you, Lord,’ because I wouldn’t be where I am today without God.”
Known for her quiet focus and relentless determination, Baker has trained year-round under the guidance of two dedicated coaches: Joshua Smith, her private coach since eighth grade, and Mercer County throws coach Mike Johnson.
“My private coach Josh—he’s been with me since I found him at a Shelby County track meet in middle school,” Baker said. “He always pushes me to do my best, even when we’re mad at each other. He told me, ‘Some days you’re gonna hate me, kid.’ But he will forever be in my corner.”
Coach Mike Johnson also holds a special place in her heart.
“Coach Mike is like my third grandpa,” Baker said. “He treats me just like one of his grandkids, and I am forever grateful for that.”
Baker’s final throw was nothing short of dramatic. “I told myself, ‘This is my last throw of the year, give it everything you’ve got,’” she recalled. “The spin felt great, and after I snapped my wrist, I just knew it was gone. The crowd went wild, and I heard Josh scream, ‘Yes! 144—we did it!’”
Her original season goal was to hit 120 feet, but her coaches knew she had more in her. “Josh told me if I hit 145, I’d win the whole thing. He believed in me because I was hitting those marks in practice.”
Despite trying to keep her emotions in check, Baker admitted the moment overwhelmed her.
“I tried to hold it in because Josh always says, ‘Don’t show your emotions. Win or lose, you do it with grace.’ But I couldn’t hold it in. I ran to Coach Flach (Mercer County Senior High’s head track coach), and the tears just fell. Then I hugged my mom and dad, and finally jumped into Josh’s arms crying—because I just won.”
