"The computer's idea of random was different than you would think."

Legendary coach Harry Groves of Penn State University took the time to call PennTrackXC to explain how the meet management of the Spiked Shoe Invitational came up with the team sorting for the 2003 race.

"Because we had to run smaller races this season to protect the golf course, we decided to split the teams randomly. When we asked the computer for a random sorting, it did it alphabetically," Groves explained. "But it's early in the season, so we didn't see a real need to change it. The purpose of the meet is to get people going, and that it did."

Groves intimated that the hassles of managing a meet from year to year can get tiring, but then he sees another reminder of why he loves this sport. "This girl from State (State College HS) came up to get her medal, and she was beaming ear to ear. It makes it all worthwhile. She didn't care what race she ran, she was as happy as she could be. I never saw a happier kid."