You would think that breaking a school record would highlight the recent trip to Kentucky by the Cavalier cross country team.  But, it was the event that occurred the day before that made their trip one of the most memorable in recent years.

"We were blessed to work out our travel plans so that we could leave a day earlier and make a stop in Wheelwright, Kentucky," said Coach Larios.  "Wheelwright is an old coal mining town in eastern Kentucky.  We met some awesome people while giving a little of our time helping some brothers and sisters in Christ."

The Cavalier cross country team served along side of some local residents and some members of Grace Community Church in a slow, misty rainy Friday while they re-roofed a house that was in desperate need of repair.

"I felt that the mission of the trip was for us to share Christ's love through a day of service, but I think we were the one's that took away so much of his love through the hospitality and passion of our friends in Wheelwright," added Coach Larios.

"During the forties, Wheelwright was on the cutting edge of excitement and amenities.  Everything was owned by the mining company, but homes were very comfortable for a coal town, a golf course was accessible for all employees and the town had an Olympic-sized swimming pool for the community," shared Wheelwright's Pastor Ray Grindstaff.  "Obviously, the town has died since the mine shut down, and everything is not like it used to be.  Many families here struggle in many ways."

"I'm reminded of the verse in the Bible where Jesus says that the last shall be first and the first shall be last," added sophomore Jared Nielsen. "Pastor Grindstaff and his wife sold everything they had to answer God's call to minister to the people of Wheelwright.  Even in this small desolute town, God is working in mighty ways.  Pastor Grindstaff and his wife were such an encouragement to me."

Some of the Cavaliers spent the morning pulling off the old shingles and replacing some roof in order to prep it for the new shingles.  Others weeded and cleaned the yard, at both the home and the local church.  Some Lady Cavaliers hand painted some Christmas ornaments that will be sold in order to raise some money for their church. 

"It was a great day for us," said Coach Larios. "We were blessed to see such amazing hearts on fire for Jesus.  We obviously took away more than we served.  I'm excited to return soon and revisit our friends."

The Cavaliers then headed to Louisville to participate in the Southeast Classic held on Saturday morning.  The Cavaliers only competed with a partial squad, but those that competed represented Montreat very well. 

Montreat was led by Wilbourn Kosgei's 8th place finish out of 216 runners.  His time of 25:54.8 broke his old school record of 25:55.6, which Kosgei set at last year's AAC championship meet.  On the women's side, Montreat was led by Elisabeth Elliott's 21:10 5K performance.

Montreat will now take one week off as they make their final preparation for the AAC cross country championships which will be held at the Black Mountain Campus on November 7th.  More information about the championship race can be found by clicking 2009 AAC XC Championships.

Complete results of the Southeast Classic can be found HERE.