Baldwin High cross country coach Mike Spielman has a great track record.

In October, Spielman led the girls cross country team to its third straight Class 4A state championship. It was the team’s sixth victory in the last eight years, which, according to the runners he coaches, means Spielman has done something right.

“He knows how to make a winning team,” freshman Sienna Durr said. “He knows how to train us. He knows how to put up with us. We can get a little crazy sometimes.”

Durr said Spielman used state as a motivational tool all season. And for Spielman, this year’s state title was particularly momentous.

“It’s a lot of pressure to be the two-time defending state champions,” Spielman said. “They have to live up to the great expectations that they put on themselves. It was a memorable moment to see them all run well; that’s where you want to run your best, but it doesn’t always happen like that.”

With several key members of this year’s team returning next season, he’s hoping to keep things rolling.

“We want to keep the tradition going,” Spielman said. “We want to get better everyday in all things.”