Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh University
Lehigh Invitational
Jason Baker Finishes 4th Overall; Mountain Hawks Take Third at Lehigh Invitational
9/4/2026 9:58:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 2026 men's cross country season began on Friday night as the Mountain Hawks hosted the Lehigh Invitational at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Lehigh placed third out of nine teams, competing against Rutgers, Saint Joseph's, Moravian, Kutztown, Rowan, DeSales, Muhlenberg, and Ramapo. Rutgers took first place, edging out Saint Joseph's by one point in the final standings.Â
First year Jason Baker was the first Mountain Hawk to cross the finish line, as he finished fourth overall with a time of 18:36.3 in his first career race. Jason was able to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, senior Ryan Baker, who posted back-to-back top five finishes at the Lehigh Invitational in 2024 and 2025. Â
"As a first year to come out here and lead the pack through the finish line, that's a great showing for Baker at a distance that he's not used to," said head coach Debbie Utesch.Â
Senior Thomas Smigo, the third Mountain Hawk to cross the finish line (19th overall) with a time of 19:10.8, also had high praise for his young teammate following the race.Â
"It's really exciting as a team to have a first year do that in his first career race," Smigo said. "The sky is the limit for him, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what else he can accomplish this year."Â
Fellow Mountain Hawks to record points were sophomore Sawyer Macy (10th, 18:54.6), senior Derek Coceano (24th, 19:21.5) and junior Charlie Butler (25th, 19:21.6). First years Marc Desforges and Alec Jurgaitis joined Baker in making their Lehigh debuts.Â
Lehigh will return to action in Easton, Pennsylvania for the Lafayette Invitational on Friday, September 11 beginning at 6:15 p.m. Â
