Austin’s two state cross country qualifiers will be in much different situations as they compete at the Class ‘AA’ meet in St. Olaf College in Northfield this Saturday.

Austin sophomore Madison Overby is running in her fourth straight state meet and Austin senior Andrew Baker is running in his first state meet and last high school cross country meet of his career.

Baker, who took sixth at the Section 1AA meet to become the first Austin boy to make it to state in cross country in 11 years, is yet to feel any nerves.

“I’m definitely excited, but I don’t think it’s really hit me yet that I’m going to state,” Baker said. “I can’t really say I’m nervous. It’s my last race and it’s not like I have to qualify for anything. I just want to do the best I can.”

Baker ran a career-best time to get to state and he knew he had qualified for state as soon as he crossed the finish line. The finish was something he was planning for at least five months before it happened.

“I’ve been working for this since the beginning of track season,” he said. “It’s all been kind of building up until now.”

Overby said the thrill of qualifying for state hasn’t worn off, even though she’s done it every year she’s ran varsity cross country.

“It’s exciting every time,” she said. “You forget the feeling and then you get to experience it over again.”

Overby is hoping to finish her season with her best race of the year. She has a good idea of what to expect at state and she’s hoping it brings out the best in her.

“I just want to go and run my hardest. I’d like to get a season best,” Overby said. “My first year I was really nervous, but I’m more excited than nervous.”

Overby will run at 10 a.m Saturday and Baker will run at 11 a.m.

FOURTH STATE MEET FOR OVERBY

2012: Overby finished in 39th place with a time of 15:03.4

2011: Overby finished in 20th place with a time of 14:51.1

2010: Overby finished in 89th place with a time of 15:48