COLONY For the last nine years, Crest High had been without a cross country program, but that changed over the summer. Elka and Ursula Billings started a movement to help revive Lancer cross country, and only a few months later, Crest is on its way to state.
On Saturday, Crest competed at the Cessna Activities Center in Wichita. The girls cross country team placed fourth as a team behind Macksville, Pretty Prairie, and Elbing-Berean Academy to punch their ticket to state.
The Lady Lancers were hopeful heading into the meet. Aiding their effort has been their ability to field a full team since the early stages of the season. Crests number-three runner, Rylee Beckmon, had missed nearly two months of action with a broken arm, but was there for the regional meet.
Ursula Billings placed fifth with a time of 21:07.45 to finish as Crests number-one runner. Sister Elka placed 15th, completing the course in 22:40.55. Also competing for the Lady Lancers were Beckmon in 46th place (28:13.38), and Bailee Griffeth 47th (28:23.03).
Crest will compete at Wamego on Saturday, and are scheduled to run at 10 a.m.
