Saints thinking big

CEDAR RAPIDS - The beginning of every cross country season is filled with the hopes of achieving a personal record, winning a meet as a team and going to the state championship at the end of the season.

The Xavier boys' and girls' cross country teams see all of these things as viable possibilities this fall.

The season kicked off at Prairie High School with a meet on Aug. 20. With more than four returning varsity members on each team, both are very optimistic this year.

'My expectations are that everyone gets better and to qualify for state,” senior team co-captain Evan Gradoville said.

The state cross country meet this year takes place Nov. 1 in Fort Dodge. The Saints have a busy schedule, including meets as far away as Cascade and Clinton. The third meet of the year took place Sept. 11 at Noelridge Park.

'The race felt good and I believe the team did very well. We are improving week by week,” senior team captain Maddy Bailey said.

The next chance to see the Xavier cross country teams compete near Cedar Rapids is Sept. 30 at the Iowa City West Invitational.