The 1994 Cross Country season was a turbulent ride, A sunny June Saturday kicked off the fall campaign-400 miles later, September delivered runners who, with worn out shoes and countless tons of Gatorade as testimonial to their dedication over the summer, were anxious to toe the starting line. La Salle, our bitter rival, topped the preseason coaches' poll making the initial goal of the Varsity team crystal dear: win, take what we deserve, make LaSalle fear the first encounter at the Malone Invitational. The response was instantaneous and complete: three weeks, three wins, three state Champion teams defeated. Malone, which had loomed on the horizon since the outset of the season, arrived as a litmus test of Ohio's best teams. It was the low point of the season-we failed. Halfway home from the dismal meet, the van pulled into Scioto Downs, sight of the state meet. With the championship course displayed before it, the Varsity team renewed its pact to reach that pinnacle. We arrived in Cincinnati determined to ascend to the throne at the top of the city. October opened with two meets which funneled us into the GCL week, the culmination of the regular season and key to league and city titles. Tension mounted. The starter's gun gave birth to a euphoric race. The St. Xavier team thundered over the slopes of Rapid Run park, utterly dominating the competition. We broke our rivals and clinched the GCL and Cincinnati championship. Spectators, runners, and coaches stopped and gazed. The parade continued but gradually slowed: first at districts, second at regionals, and fifth at state. The night following State during the sports banquet we all felt down. Slowly there came a realization-our sadness did not stem from failure but from the ending of the race. The St. Xavier Cross Country team dedicated itself to hard work, courage and desire. We found good times, friends and victories. The ride was rough but well worth it.