The Junior was the First Girl to Score a Point in a California State Championship Game Saturday Night
Rancho Christian’s 3-time All South Valley League place kicker Emma Baker has set California and National records this season. The junior was the first ever female athlete to score a point in a California CIF State Championship game.
Baker set that record yesterday in the first quarter against Amador in the CIF Division 6-AA Championship with her first PAT. She went on to kick 4 more PATs over the course of the game, and left no doubt in anyone’s mind when she calmly nailed a 35 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Her teammates call her “MS Money”…for her deadly accuracy and consistency. She scored 99 points this season and has kicked for 208 over her 3-year career, The 99 points that she scored this season is believed to be a single-season record at the State and National level.
“I honestly didn’t think about the records” said Baker. “When I kick in games, I don’t think about much except what I need to do…put the ball through the uprights. Sometimes I don’t even know the length of my field goals until after the game. I know there have been other female football kickers, and even female field players, but to score 8 points in a championship game… I feel honored”.
Other girls have played in a State Championship game according to Rebecca Brutlag of the CIF State office. The most recent was Brittany Voyce, a senior from Bonita Vista in the 4-AA game last year. But none had ever scored.
So how did she become the region’s most successful female PAT& Field Goal kicker? “My parents and my brother pushed me to try kicking in the 8th grade” said Baker. “They and my grandparents support me in all I do. Coach Hugo, at Snap Hold Kick, has been a great inspiration to me since the beginning, and has helped with my mechanics as well as confidence”.
Her personal goals for next season? “I’d like to break the National Field Goal Record for a girl held by Heidi Garrett which is 48 yards” said Baker. “I have kicked several 49 yarders at practice, so I know I can do it. The opportunity needs to be just right, and I need to stay focused. I always want to get better at whatever I am doing and am very thankful to God for blessing me with these gifts”.
Asked about continuing her kicking career after she graduates next year, Baker said ;“I would love to kick in college. If I was offered the chance to use kicking as a tool to get me through college, I’d definitely be interested. I play soccer and volleyball as well, and wish I could do all three”.
Baker also plays for Rancho Christian’s Girls Volleyball and Soccer teams.
File Photos by Scott Padgett, Erin Baker & Lara Sipp
