Leading Off

Mud, Sweat And Tears

After a water truck spilled 6,000 gallons across the trail, high school cross-country athletes did their best to navigate the "moderate" course at the Three Course Challenge in Seaside, Ore., last Saturday. Ninth-grader Aaron Josi of Tillamook High fell in up to his neck but climbed out to finish 101st in the race. About 2,200 runners from 96 high schools around the West participated in the event over the weekend at the Rilea Armed Forces Training Center.

All Wet

Virginia Tech linebacker Cody Grimm got a congratulatory slap on the helmet from teammate Eddie Whitley after breaking up a pass during the Hokies' rain-soaked 31--7 upset of Miami in Blacksburg, Va., last Saturday. The victory moved Virginia Tech (3--1) up five spots to No. 6 in the AP poll, while Miami (2--1) dropped from ninth to 17th.

Wild Fling

Rangers catcher Pudge Rodriguez chased down a costly wild pitch by Tommy Hunter in the first inning at the Ballpark in Arlington on Sept. 18. The Angels' Vladimir Guerrero (far right), who had swung and missed on the pitch for what would have been the third out, beat Rodriguez's throw to first to keep the inning alive. Anaheim scored one run and went on to win the game 2--0. Entering the last week of the regular season, the Angels led Texas by six games in the the AL West with seven to play.

Hear Us Roar

Joyful Lions fans celebrated on Sunday after their team beat the Redskins 19--14 at Ford Field. It was Detroit's first victory in 644 days, ending a 19-game losing streak that tied for the second longest in NFL history. After the game, coach Jim Schwartz sent players from the locker room back to the field to thank fans who had suffered with them. The Lions' radio voice, Dan Miller, shouted on the air, "Nightmare over!"