Consuming large amounts of water is one of the favorite pastimes of Eastside Catholic lineman Cody Baker.

Baker, who is a starter on both the offensive and defensive line, said staying hydrated is vital to being a successful athlete when you’re 6 feet 4 inches tall and 256 pounds. The University of Montana commit prides himself on being in top physical condition.

“I have to drink a lot of water over the course of the week so I don’t cramp up. I get tired, but I’m always able to push through it,” Baker said.

Baker drinks seven 20-ounce bottled waters per day. His workout regimen combined with his favorite beverage is a dynamic combination.

“I ran probably every single day this summer,” Baker said.

Baker didn’t focus on distance running, but instead worked sprint and speed drills to enhance his abilities on the football field.

“I lifted weights hard with my teammates and worked on a lot of sprints and shuttles up and down the field. We had some days where we ran 16 110-yard sprints,” he said.

The dog days of summer have paid off as the Crusaders won the Class 3A state championship with a 35-13 victory against the Bellevue Wolverines on Dec. 5. Attaining a state crown was a dream come true for the entire Crusader football family.

“It was like the best day of our lives. It was awesome,” Baker said.

Following the state championship game victory, the Crusaders earned a bid to the Burger King Bowl Championship Series in Boca Raton, Fla. The Crusaders will face Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) at noon on Dec. 27. Baker said Trinity Christian is aggressive on both sides of the ball.

“They run a spread offense and defensively they like to stack the box. This week of practice has been like every other week this season. We’re focusing on ourselves and getting better. The coaches have come up with a great game plan. We are confident that we’re going to play well,” he said.

The trip to Florida will be a homecoming of sorts for Baker. He has a multitude of relatives in the area.

“A lot of my family actually lives in Boca Raton. It will be great to see a lot of family at the game,” he said.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com