COLUMBUS — Marc Carter got the race he wanted. In fact, he wished he could get some more just like it.

Carter ran a blistering race Saturday in the 800 meters at the Division II state track meet, but it was the lack of similar type races that left him runner-up for the second straight year.

“I really didn’t get much competition during the season except for my last race at the regionals,” Carter said. “I never have to practice fighting off someone at the end of a race.”

Patrick Gorby of Salem won the race with a 1:52.76 time, just off the 1:52.48 he ran last week in setting a state record for the event.

Carter ran step-for-step with Gorby and actually had the lead until the final 10 yards.

Still, he finished with an impressive 1:53.18 time to break his own school record.

“There were several things we stressed in practice, but the main thing was to stay with (Gorby) until the last 250 meters. I felt I was better at the end. I did what I wanted to do, he just got me at the end. I give him credit. He finished it off.”

Ironton coach Greg Cronacher wasn’t that disappointed.

“Naturally I wanted him to win, but he ran a great race. I’m proud of him. He made (Gorby) run his tail off, and (Gorby) made Marc run his tail off. It was a great race,” Cronacher said.

Carter wanted his return trip to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium to have a different ending this year as opposed to his second place last season. The junior hopes that will change for certain next year.

“I’ll really be happy if I win the state, but I wanted to go back-to-back,” Carter said. “Next year I’ll be satisfied to win, but I’ll be happy if I break the state record.”