After a successful Jayhawk East Championship cross country meet, five ACC runners have punched their tickets to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Richmond, Virginia. Elka Billings, Ursula Billings, Rachel Bycroft, and McKenna Esfeld qualified on the women’s side. Henos Andebrhan qualified on the men’s side.
The meet was Saturday in Colby.
Elka Billings was the highest finisher for Allen, finishing 14th with a time of 20:19, 1:10 behind the winner. Ursula Billings finished 16th, two spots behind her sister with a time of 20:41. Bycroft finished 19th with a time of 20:54. Esfeld crossed the line 33rd with a time of 22:04.
“We didn’t run well as a team,” said Allen Community College head coach Vince DeGrado. “Sometimes you have to run bad to appreciate running good. Fortunately for us, we get another shot and you are only as good or bad as your last race. You’ll see a different team at Nationals. We’ll be prepared.”
Last season, Elka Billings, Bycroft, and Esfeld competed at Nationals. The trio of then-freshmen made a splash. Elka finished third, Bycroft finished ninth and Esfeld finished 36th.
Henos Andebrhan finished 19th in the men’s race, with a time of 26:23, 2:20 behind the winner. Juan Resendiz also competed for Allen. Resendiz finished 56th with a time of 28:51. Resendiz did not qualify for the National meet.
