Russellville track & field standout receives scholarship from University of Montevallo

Russellville High School senior Tilman Baker was emotional at his signing day last Thursday.

“It’s definitely bitter sweet. I’m gonna miss my guys. I have a lot of friends who are juniors. I’m really gonna miss football. But I’m looking forward to having a training coach and getting to work for the future,” Baker said. 

Baker received a scholarship to the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala., where he will throw the javelin for the collegiate track and field team. 

Baker started track and field just three years prior to the scholarship. 

Along with Baker, new Russellville Middle School football coach Brett Voss started coaching track and field three years ago. Voss and Baker began learning together the ins and outs of track and field. 

“Baker’s work ethic is like no others. He constantly puts pressure on himself. Just like this year at sections, it came down to his last throw to qualify for state and he qualified,” Voss said. 

Baker finished in 5th place in state his senior year. 

“Baker sees hard work pays off and that’s a valuable lesson to know,” Voss said.