HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Remarkable year at Xavier

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By Katherine Bauer, Xavier juniorCEDAR RAPIDS - Some say it was good. Others describe it as great. Cedar Rapids Xavier Activities Director Mike Winker described the school's athletics year as “super.”“I'm very proud of the athletics program this year,” Winker said. “It was one of our most successful years in the history of our school.”Three Xavier teams won state championships among seven qualifying for state tournaments. Five teams were district or Mississippi Valley Conference divisional champions.“It's a reflection that our school can be successful in all we do,” Winker said.The coaches and staff worked hard for their players, he said, and their players worked just as hard.“Our coaches love the activities and sports they're involved with,” Winker said. “They really love working with our students. And our students are so goal driven. They have a real passion to do the best they can.”One of the most exciting achievements of the year was the girls' basketball team winning its fourth state championship.“It was a pleasant surprise,” Winker said. “It wasn't so much that they played to win, but refused to lose.”Coach Tom Lilly called it a “special season.”“And it's not easy,” he said. “People think you wake up and win. You don't. A lot has to go right.”The Saints' football team came close to a state championship, losing to Ankeny in the championship game, 23-17.“We had good senior leadership this year,” assistant coach Dave Sullivan said. “Without good leaders, there isn't a good year. It's a mentality to give everything you could.”Winker emphasizes the importance of athletics and activities in developing students' character and growth.“The reason we have an activities program is to teach life lessons,” he said. “It's for our students to learn how to be successful and be committed. It's about the whole aspect of developing our kids.”