Since the beginning of the season, the girls have hit the ground running. Despite the year round training, the fall cross country season is drawing to an end. Competing well last Thursday at the Parkway West Invitational, the girls cross country team have certainly exceeded expectations.

Sophomore runner Sarah Nicholson finished in second place at the Suburban West Invitational for the 5000 meter run, with an astounding time of 18:40.30, just shy of Eureka’s Hannah Long (17:17.50), who was named the “Runner of the Year” by Stltoday. Also, sophomore Anna West and junior Elise Larson posted top-ten times, placing in 6^th and 8^th respectively. Grace Breiten also finished right behind Larson, placing in 9^th.

Last September, the Lancers competed in the Parkway Central Invitational. Nicholson, West and Larson all succeeded in placing in the top ten once again. Nicholson was once again the runner-up, coming in second behind Francis Howell’s Maddi Leigh. Nicholson has stepped up this year, guiding and motivating the cross country team to compete well.

A rather young and inexperienced team, Lafayette has performed well in spite of that. Many of their top runners are still underclassman, so they still have a few years left in high school to improve their times. The girl’s next meet will be tomorrow, at the Patriot Classic. Held in downtown St. Louis, many runners will be there, so the competition will be difficult.