COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state of Ohio saw an end of an incredible prep career Saturday afternoon.

Barnesville senior Stephanie Morgan wrapped up her three-year run with the Shamrocks much like she began, with a decisive, record-setting victory in a distance race.

Morgan, who is heading to Baylor University in the fall to compete for the Lady Bears' track and cross country squads, took care of her business with relative ease at the Jesse Owens Memorial Track on the campus of The Ohio State University.

"It's been a great high school career," Morgan said moments after collecting her sixth OHSAA state track gold and her eighth total state championship when you include the two state cross country titles she's won. "It's just a great honor to be able to keep doing it every year."

Morgan's goal each year was to improve her times and she did so for the most part, but her 4:50.93 in the 1,600, which was nearly 17 full seconds better than her nearest competitor, wasn't what she was looking for.

"We toned down the workouts a lot this week to get ready to run a fast mile," Morgan said. "Honestly, I didn't run a fast mile. The thing is I am a racer and I love running with people and it's just getting tougher mentally to run by myself."

After a short break, Morgan came back to the track and successfully defended her 800-meter run title and did so in record-setting fashion.

The Barnesville bullet posted a blistering 2:09.77, which broke her own state and state meet records from a season ago.

Morgan came through at 400 meters in the 65 neighborhood in a relatively tight pack, but she accelerated just 40 meters into the second lap and ran away from the remainder of the field.

"I kind of knew the (800) was going to go out slow," Morgan said. "I knew I had to be ahead of the pack by a little bit taking it out and then I made a move, so they couldn't even get a taste of it. I was a little confused where people where because the video board was in a different place, so I looked behind me, which I shouldn't have done or I would have ran a faster time, but it's still a state record."

The Ohio state titles are impressive, but let it not be forgotten that she captured titles running as a freshman in Clarkston, Mich. before she and her family moved back to Ohio where her older sisters, Ruthie, Molly and Jenny all earned all-Ohio honors and Jenny was a four-time state champ.

"My high school career was amazing," Morgan said. "In middle school, I was able to run with high school kids and national-caliber runners. I ran on winning track and cross country teams in Michigan and then when I came here I ran by myself and got my own state titles, but I've really grown both as a runner and as a person, and it's really helped me to get ready for the next step."

Now, it's off to Baylor and Morgan not only knows and loves the idea that competition awaits, but she also knows that she may not be the first-place finisher each time out.

"I will love it if I don't win," Morgan said. "You're not supposed to win during your freshman and sophomore years in college. Only seniors seem to win NCAA titles, and I am going to be running on a team of really good girls and I am going to love it and I am going to learn a lot."

Morgan also doesn't forsee any adjustment problems when it comes to coaching. She's been guided basically by her mom, Susan, during the course of the past three years.

"My mom was my coach, but she and I just gave each other ideas and kind of bounced things off of each other," Morgan confessed. "She's been through it, and she and I were thinking the same things a lot of the time, but the coach at Baylor has a lot of experience and has been there and done that, so I'll put my trust in him."

Morgan, who will begin cross country training in Waco, Texas, on Aug. 24 after reporting to campus on Aug. 15, has some work ahead. She's opting to bypass the MidWest Meet of Champions next week in Michigan to focus on a professional race at 1,500 meters in which she'll compete as an amateur. It is being staged in Indianapolis.

"I am just going out there to try to run a fast time," Morgan said. "I would like to qualify for USA Nationals, which are in Oregon in the professional race, but if that doesn't work out, I am just going to run the USA Junior Nationals."

It's at those types of meets and meets such as the Penn Relays, which Morgan also won this season, that she's most looking forward to.

"When I was younger it was easier for me to run by myself," Morgan admitted. "But the older I get the more frustrating it is because I want to run with people, and I know how fast people are running around the nation, so I know I can't slow down and relax."

Morgan openly said she thinks about the Olympic Games. Maybe not in 2012, but the 2016 games could definitely be on her radar.

"I think if I keep improving it's definitely possible," Morgan said. "The thing is, you've got to be so mentally strong if you want to get there, and I am ready to begin working toward it."