I have always been hesitant to write or recount my experience around the Iowa State cross country tragedy in which seven members of the Iowa State community perished in the crash of a plane in Des Moines returning from the NCAA Championships on Nov. 25, 1985. I had only been at Iowa State as assistant sports information director three months when the tragedy occurred. With the exception of Iowa State head coach Ron Renko, I did not personally know the Cyclones who boarded that ill-fated plane after an unexpected second place Iowa State finish at the NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championships in Milwaukee, Wis. I have always known that there were others who lost family members and teammates. Thus, I have kept my memories of the brightest day that turned into the darkest night.