Nike-funded school lands Simi superstar

By Rhiannon Potkey
Posted November 19, 2013 at 7:47 p.m.

Sarah Baxter planned to wait until just before Christmas to make her college decision.

The Simi Valley High senior figured she would finish the cross country season and use the extra free time for contemplation.

But true to her athletic form, Baxter’s decision arrived faster than anticipated.

She was sitting in her room last Thursday night with her father when he asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I was like, ‘I want to go to Oregon,’ ” Baxter said. “That was kind of it.”

The simple declaration ended the recruitment process of one of the most sought-after athletes in the nation in any sport.