Hannah Baker earns Lenawee Christian's Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ADRIAN — Hannah Baker is getting ready for the Lenawee County Fair.

Through 4-H, she’ll show a dairy calf that was raised on her family’s farm in Clayton.

Farming and showing animals at the fair have been a part of Baker’s life since before even athletics and academics became the focal point.

“I’ll drive a tractor (on the farm) if my dad needs me to,” she said.

For Baker, there wasn’t much time the last four years to be on the tractor because she was a two- and sometimes three-sport athlete who maintained a 4.31 GPA and was Lenawee Christian’s valedictorian. She is the LCS' Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“There were definitely stressful times, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” Baker said.

Her first love wasn’t farming, volleyball, basketball or softball — but dance.

“I always wanted to be a dancer,” she said.

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At some point, however, volleyball became her passion. She ended up having a stellar career with the Cougars. She was twice named first team all-state and helped LCS to the Division 4 semifinals as a senior. The Cougars captured the Tri-County Conference championship her senior season — the first league title in school history since it was the first season in a league — along with three district and three regional titles.

“I think I was naturally better at volleyball than other sports,” she said.

She finished her career with more than 1,000 kills, 800 digs, 200 blocks and 125 aces. She will join the volleyball program at Hillsdale College in the fall.

“I love the culture of the team and the academics there,” she said. “That will set me up for whatever career I choose.”

The daughter of Kim and Donna Baker is the youngest of six siblings. Her oldest sister was a dancer in college and she had two brothers play college football. She began her athletic career through the Lenawee Christian Family Center and joined a club volleyball team, TNT, that was put together by some parents. Many of the same players on that team ended up being LCS teammates.

“It’s been fun to grow up with the same team,” she said. “Those are my best friends today and they have been since the sixth grade.”

At Hillsdale, Baker intends to study biochemistry with an eye toward medical school.

“My brother (Mark) just did his first year of residency,” she said. “He’s always been sort of a role model to me. I want to help people and I love science.”

She said during high school she learned to manage her time between athletics and academics.

“Time management is a big skill that I had to develop,” she said. “Playing sports gave me structure.

“What kept me going in the late-night studying was just knowing the why — why am I doing all of this? I think to glorify God and love those around me better was my main purpose.”

She earned nine varsity letters in all, won multiple district, regional and state honors and helped the basketball team get to the Breslin Center during her career.

Off the court, she was in the National Honor Society and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She earned multiple scholarships and is going to Hillsdale on a volleyball scholarship.

She praised the LCS family for helping her achieve the success she has earned, either on the court or in the classroom.

“The LCS community is unlike any other,” she said. “The teachers are so understanding about athletics. Everyone is there to help you and they have your best interest in mind. You go to school with your classmates right around you. I couldn’t let my team down.”

LENAWEE CHRISTIAN'S HONORABLE MENTIONS

Sam Lutz, 4.1957 (football, basketball, track)

AJ McEldowney, 4.1429 (cross country, track)

Selah Clymer, 4.1064, (volleyball, basketball, soccer)

Connor Parisien, 4.098 (golf, basketball)

Paul Towler, 4.0652 (football, basketball track)

Ally Day, 3.9783 (volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, track)

Emma Reatherford, 3.9592 (cheer)

Stella Rose McGuire, 3.9474 (cheer, lacrosse, track, soccer)

Yuki Nakamura, 3.9286 (golf, basketball, softball)

Nate Jeffords, 3.8723 (soccer, golf)

Jack Stamats, 3.7826 (soccer, golf)

Tyler Salenbien, 3.7045 (football, basketball, baseball)

Blake Drogowski, 3.6667 (football, basketball, baseball, track)

Easton Boggs, 3.6087 (football, basketball, baseball, track)

Gabi Bryja, 3.52 (volleyball, basketball, softball, track)

Grace Steinke, 3.5104 (basketball, cheer, soccer)

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Hannah Baker earns Lenawee Christian's Scholar-Athlete of the Year