Baker Wins Gatorade NJ Athlete of the Year Award

Olivia Baker, a student at Columbia High School (CHS), was named the 2012-13 Gatorade New Jersey Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

Baker was surprised during Drama class Friday morning, when her coach Lisa Morgan came in -- along with Superintendent Brian Osborne, BOE President Beth Daugherty, CHS Principal Lovie Lilly and Baker's parents -- to announce Baker had received the award.

Watch Patch's video of Baker learning the news, attached to this article.

"Olivia, we're so very proud of you," said Lilly, "and the community stands behind you. So keep running."

The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence as well academic achievement and exemplary character, according to a press release. Baker is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Track Athlete of the Year award, which will be announced later in June. If she also wins that, she will be invited to ESPN's "ESPY" awards in the fall.

Baker has won three individual state titles at the Meet of Champions this season. She earned gold in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter dash and the 800-meter run. In addition to her athletic achievements, she is a violist in the school's chamber orchestra and volunteers for local charities.