Last Friday was the first meet for the Xavier cross country team. The meet, Desert Solstice, was in Tucson and featured the best runners from the state. Under darkening desert skies and in a rattlesnake infested golf course, the Gators swept the competition off their stride to secure second place.

With a great season opener, the whole team picked up their pace to establish that they are a force to be reckoned with for the upcoming season. Exceptional performers included senior Sarah Carter who ran the fourth fastest course time recorded in the US this season. Carter scored second place for her team and was just fell short of beating one of the best female cross country runners in the country. Freshman Mia Olsen shone like a star in the night race to finish in first place, in front of 319 other competitors.

With a promising start to the season, the Gators are keeping their hopes high. Carter, one of two team captains, said, “the team is looking really strong this year, especially with so many new runners who have a ton of potential. Everyone seems like they’ve stepped up a level and are ready to perform great at later meets and state.”