Bullard is sending its girls cross country team and freshman boy Cooper Cummings to the UIL Cross Country State Championships on Friday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. The team placed fourth at the Class 4A Region III meet to earn a trip to state.
The team includes senior Peyton Childs, junior Kenzie McGhee, sophomore Lexi Kirkland, and freshmen Olivia Stephens, Landyn Moock, Annelise Rollins and Lainey Dyer. Stephens placed seventh at regionals with a time of 12:38.00, which would have qualified her for state as an individual. Childs placed 15th at regionals with a time of 13:04.10 and is going to state for the fourth consecutive year. Cummings placed 15th at regionals with a time of 17:12.10 to qualify as an individual.
First-year Bullard cross country coach Luke Nichols said state was set as a long-term goal for the team. "They got to show me that they could do it right now," Nichols said. "I was super proud to see the kids do that." Stephens said the team was surprised to advance. "We know that it's a big deal to make it to state as a team," she said.