Lucca Fulkerson left no room for chance.
A week ago Lucca Fulkerson had the unique and rare experience of crossing the finish line in second place. Clearly, the finish rankled the Dawson sophomore, because she was on the attack throughout the race Thursday.
Fulkerson was quick off the starting line and within the first 400 meters running clear of the field, which included defending region and state champ Helen Cross.
But Fulkerson wasn't running on ceremony.
While she was leaving little to chance, Cross was in hot pursuit nearly 50 meters back through the halfway point.
And another 50 meters back were the Lyons duo of Katie Fankhouser and Quin Gregg, who were running well within themselves.
Up front Fulkerson raged on, and Cross chased.
As they cruised through the final mile it was evident Fulkerson would flip the 2017 regional result, where she finished second to Cross.
Fulkerson went on to a 19:46 victory for the lone sub 20 of the race. Cross finished second in 20:08, while Fankhouser and Gregg kicked hard, with Fankhouser taking third in 20:45, just ahead of Gregg's 20:46.
The duo of Katie Fankhouser and Quin Gregg led the Lyons the team title.
Kylee Udovich sealed the team victory for Lyons, finishing 10th. The host school tallied 17 points to beat out Dawson's 26.
The defending state champs, Nederland, took third with 30 points, while Shining Mountain and
Heritage Christian booked their tickets, finishing with 32 points, and 44 points.