Even with other CAC schools claiming medalists in the cross country races, MWC runners took four of the next five spots in both runs to easily take team crowns. The MWC women also raced to a fourth straight Mason-Dixon Invitational Championship, and the men and women were both second at the Virginia Division II-III Championships. For the men, Jon Gates finished second at CACs and at the NCAA regional meet. He eventually placed 37th at NCAA Nationals, the highest ever finish by an MWC male runner.
Holes created by the loss of several key members need to be filled in the '94 season for MWC to win a fourth straight CAC title. Reliable performers Nick Duncan and Craig Moyer have graduated, and the Eagles are also minus the team's top 1993 performer, Jon Gates. Last fall, Gates was runner-up at both the CAC and the NCAA Regional meet, and finished 37th at NCAA nationals. "We have a number of positions to fill," said Soper, "so it will be very important for our veterans and newcomers to pick up the slack."
MWC does welcome back a solid group, however, including All-CAC performers Pete Steinberg (Jr./Alexandria, VA), Noel Adams (So./Freehold, NY) and Costen Burch (So./Waynesboro, VA). Sophomore Brent Poythress (Salem, VA) also hopes to return following a freshman season hampered by injuries. Freshmen to watch include Dan Reynolds (Fairfax, VA), Andrew Brown (Richmond, VA), Jason Lang (Alexandria, VA), James Schoonmaker (Centreville, VA) and Brian Gebhardt (Waldwick, NJ).