Track: Remarkable prep career ends for Simi Valley’s Sarah Baxter

The remarkable prep running career of Sarah Baxter from Simi Valley is over.

Baxter won the 3,200 at Saturday’s Southern Section Division 2 prelims in 10:30.78, then announced it would be her final race because of a leg injury that could become a stress fracture without rest.

Coach Roger Evans said, “She wanted one more race.”

The Oregon-bound Baxter was the Gatorade national cross country runner of the year and a three-time state champion in the 3,200. She never lost in a 3,200 race. She’s headed to Oregon.

The injury had become increasingly painful, Evans said, with her doctor warning a stress fracture was possible if she kept running.