He set records with a determined stare and a perfect stride. She punctuated goals with a confident nod and a playful smile.

But Shane Stroup and Kristen Waagbo had a common desire: to be the absolute best, even in the most pressure-packed moments. And that goes a long way toward explaining why Stroup, a recent graduate of River Hill, and Waagbo, a junior at Mount Hebron, have been chosen as The Sun's High School Athletes of the Year.

Stroup's name has loomed large on the area track scene the past two years. He has been named All-Metro five times and Performer of the Year four times (twice outdoors, once indoors and once in cross country).

Last month, the 5-foot-9, 136-pound runner made sure his name would be carved into the record books. In the state meet at UMBC, his 4-minute, 7.11-second effort in the 1,600 meters broke a record that had stood since 1974, when Jim Peterson of Wheaton ran 4:08.6.

Stroup's time was the fastest in the country by a high school runner this year. He also won the Class 3A cross country state title, was part of a 3A-2A, record-setting indoor 3,200 relay team (8:11.17) and finished second at the Penn Relays in the 1,600.

But clearly, what he will remember best was coming around the final turn in the state meet 1,600 knowing he had a shot at Peterson's record.

"I've wanted to break that record ever since I was a freshman," Stroup said. "I wanted to chase it down because it was one of the oldest records out there. It's just an amazing accomplishment. I still can't get over it."

Waagbo earned All-Metro honors for the second straight year in basketball and lacrosse. She is only the fourth non-senior to be honored as Athlete of the Year since the award was instituted in 1967.

A 6-foot forward in basketball, she led the Vikings to a 19-5 record and their first Howard County title since 1993 by averaging 20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

In lacrosse, she was even better, scoring 61 goals and recording 33 assists for the Vikings, who went 19-0 and captured their sixth consecutive state title and 10th in the past 11 years.

"We had so many talented players in lacrosse this year, I just anticipated sitting back and kind of following their lead," Waagbo said. "But it didn't always turn out that way. I had to step up. That made it even more fun."

Success may have been preordained for Stroup and Waagbo.

Stroup's father, Shane Sr., was a standout track athlete at Sherwood High in Montgomery County. He once held the state record in the high jump and the pole vault before going on to compete at Clemson. Waagbo's mother, Jean Makowski Waagbo, was an outstanding basketball player at Mount Hebron and is a member of the Vikings Hall of Fame.

"My mom was always my coach," Waagbo said. "I guess she always helped lead the way."

Stroup, who will attend the University of Florida on a track scholarship in the fall, didn't always find himself steered toward running. In fact, in middle school, the pull of football was much stronger.

"When I first came to high school, I really thought I wanted to be a football player," Stroup said. "I was pretty good, too. I figured I'd be the kicker, maybe play some wide receiver. But one of my gym teachers suggested I go out for the cross country team and I decided to do it. That's where most of my friends were, anyway."

As soon as Stroup realized he was a fairly gifted runner, willing to put in hours of hard work, his attention turned to Peterson's record. But it was more curiosity than hubris.

"When my dad was in high school, he actually watched Jim Peterson set the record in the 1,600," said Stroup, whose father, now a teacher at Wheaton, was on hand to see his son break the mark.

"It's kind of cool to think about. He and Jim were sort of rivals, and they were always fighting for coverage and to get their names in the paper. My dad always told me I could break that record, and I know he's really proud of what I accomplished."

Mount Hebron was awfully proud of Waagbo this season, as well, and she gave them plenty of reasons. During basketball season, she scored 20 points or more 14 times and, Dec. 14 against Class 2A state finalist Hammond, she lit up the Golden Bears for a career-high 35 points.

In lacrosse, the sport she wants to play in college, she was one of the best players in the area, earning Greater Baltimore regional All-America honors. Against Bryn Mawr, she scored five goals and had two assists. In the state championship game, she set a tournament record with six assists in an 18-7 win over Annapolis.

And perhaps most frustrating for her opponents, she never seemed to lose the smile on her face, even in extremely tense moments.

"I guess that's just me," Waagbo said. "We might be fighting really hard, but I'm usually just standing there smiling. I've always tried not to take things too seriously."

The Athletes of the Year are selected by The Sun's high school staff. Those athletes who were recognized during the school year as Athletes of the Week were considered for the award.