By Joe Scalzo

The Blue Devils are back at the state meet for the 10th straight year.

McDONALD — After his team won the Suburban League cross country title in September, Boardman boys cross country coach Dave Pavlansky credited Maplewood and McDonald for forcing his program to take the next step.

“We are still working on a tradition; they have a culture,” he said at the time. “They’re drinking the Kool-Aid out there.”

When reminded of those comments this week, Blue Devils coach Chris Rupe chuckled.

“I don’t know that any reference to drinking Kool-Aid is complimentary, but I know Dave definitely meant it to be,” said Rupe. “I’ll say this, when you hear something like that from someone who knows the sport and has an appreciation for what it takes to be successful in this sport, it really means something.”

Over the last decade, that respect has grown across the state as Rupe has developed his program into one of Ohio’s best.

McDonald will make its 10th straight state meet appearance on Saturday at Scioto Downs and has a chance to win its sixth state title. The Blue Devils have won three Div. III state crowns since 1999 and finished second four other times, including last season.

But even though he has the state’s top-ranked team, Rupe isn’t one to make predictions or get too caught up in winning. He seems to enjoy the journey to success as much as the destination.

“There’s pressure to go out and perform well this weekend,” said Rupe. “But I think when it’s all said and done, we’re going to look back on this team and realize it’s been a fun year and quite a ride.”

McDonald will likely be in a three-way race for the title with St. Thomas Aquinas (the two-time defending champs) and Bellaire St. John. This year’s team isn’t the most-talented of Rupe’s tenure but it’s been one of his favorites to coach.

“The guys on this team aren’t going to be outstanding college runners, but what matters to them is becoming as good as they can be,” said Rupe. “It’s been fun to watch them over the last five or six years going from mediocre to very good.

“I’ve coached both types of teams and [a really talented team] has its fun aspects, but this type of team definitely does, too. You can’t beat where we’re at right now.”

Between junior high and high school, Rupe usually has between 30 and 35 runners in his program. Those numbers are impressive enough for a school as small as McDonald, but become even more special when you consider the Blue Devils also sport a 10-0 football team.

“It’s definitely been neat to have a lot of success in a lot of different sports here at McDonald,” said Rupe, who coaches at the high school. “There’s been quite a bit of support in the community for both teams. That’s nice to see.”

scalzo@vindy.com