Memories inspired Augustana junior
Luke Baltrusch to abandon thoughts of a relaxing summer.
In the spring of 2004, Baltrusch was racing toward a national championship when misfortune intervened. He had won his qualifying heat in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Division II national outdoor track and field championships and was among the favorites in the finals.
“Coach (
Tracy Hellman) and I had talked it over and decided to go for the lead with about 800 meters left,” Baltrusch said. “I was able to put a decent gap between myself and the three other runners that had pulled away from the pack. I had the lead going into the last waterfall but I guess my legs were getting a little heavy. I came on it a little too fast and clipped the barrier.”
Baltrusch fell, but recovered to finish fourth with a personal best time of 9 minutes, 2.77 seconds.
“I was relieved when it was over but at the same time it was a bittersweet feeling,” Baltrusch said. “It was my first time in a national championship race and on the last lap I thought I had it won. Overall it was a great experience, but I was a little disappointed at the same time.”
Disappointment soon became motivation.
“If I had won, I might have taken the summer off,” Baltrusch said. “But it made me work that much more and I put in the hardest summer yet.”
An economics major from Colorado Springs, Colo., Baltrusch returned to campus in the fall primed for the cross country season.
“I started the season real strong and was running well heading into the regional,” he said. A humble assessment to say the least.
Three times in succession he was selected North Central Conference runner of the week. He was the runner-up in two prestigious meets – the Willamette Invitational in Salem, Ore., and the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. In Oregon he posted a personal best time of 24:15 and set the Augustana school record for an 8K course. At both meets he was the highest finishing Division II runner.
Then came the regional and another disappointment.
“I don’t know if I was fatigued, but I did not feel good that day,” Baltrusch said. “In cross country you don’t have the opportunity to get to nationals by matching a qualifying time during the season. If you don’t have it that day, you don’t make the race.”
Baltrusch has a short history in the sport of running. He played soccer and basketball in high school. He reported for track in the spring of his junior year just for something to do.”
“I had no idea what running was all about,” he said. “We had some awesome runners in high school and by my senior year I really got into it and liked it.”
The path to Augustana started with a visit from Hellman.
“The coach showed an interest in me and I liked the city a lot,” Baltrusch said. “Coach kept after me and I figured if someone was that interested in my I should give it a shot.”
Hellman had gone to Colorado Springs with an interest in one of Baltrusch’s teammates. He was persuaded by the coach to take a look at Baltrusch.
“I knew Luke would be competitive,” Hellman said. “He puts in the work and is confident of what he can do. He has worked hard to become the runner he is. He is very durable and able to train at a high level for a long period of time. He has just had some tough luck.”
Baltrusch is enjoying a strong spring having won the steeplechase at the Godfather’s Division II Challenge in Emporia, Kan. He then went to Palo Alto, Calif., to compete in the Stanford Cardinal Inviational. Running in the fast heat, Baltrusch was the top Division II placer in the race, finishing 14th in a time of 9:00.94. That time set a school record and it also provisionally qualified Baltrusch for the NCAA Division II National Championships. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation.
His final tune-up for the national meet will come at the North Central Conference Championships, May 13-14 in Omaha.
Hopefully, the disappointments are behind him.
