Girls' cross country: Sarah Baxter is Gatorade state runner of the year

Junior Sarah Baxter of Simi Valley has been named the Gatorade state runner of the year in girls' cross country. She's a leading candidate to be named the national runner of the year.

Baxter went unbeaten this season, winning state and national titles. She set course records at the Mt. SAC Invitational, the Woodbridge Invitational, the Marmonte League championships and the Southern Section championships.

"Sarah Baxter's season was just for the ages," said Steve Underwood of DyeStat.com. "Many of the greatest prep harriers of all time have been Californians _ like Julia Stamps, Amber Trotter, Jordan Hasay. You can argue now that Sarah tops them all."

-- Eric Sondheimer

Photo: Sarah Baxter. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times