VERMILLION, S.D.–As the daughter of a pair of cross country athletes, it could be said that running came naturally to South Dakota junior Megan Billington.

It was a mailing from the YMCA that kicked off Billington's running career at nine years old. The brochure included a variety of upcoming events with a road race that Billington begged her mom to let her run in. That first road race had her hooked on the sport and she followed in her parents' footsteps as she started running cross country at Northwest High School in Grand Island, Neb.
 
Billington's journey to the University of South Dakota to continue her running career was as simple as a campus visit.
 
"This was the first place I visited and it felt like home right away," Billington said. "I wanted somewhere close enough to drive home, but not right down the road either. It also helped that there were a few other student-athletes from Grand Island that went to South Dakota for school too."
 
In her first two years as a Coyote, Billington has helped the Coyotes win a pair of Summit League titles in cross country while earning all-Summit League second team honors individually. The junior finished ninth at the Summit League Championships a year ago in 22:01.7.
 
Billington has transitioned into a leadership role as an upperclassman this season. She has been the frontrunner for a Coyote cross country squad that picked up a pair of team titles at the Augustana Twilight and Nebraska's Woody Greeno Invitational. Billington individually finished runner-up in both races while clocking a personal best 21:38.4 at Woody Greeno.
 
"Megan has an impeccable work ethic," said USD head cross country coach Dan Fitzsimmons. "She's run more miles (792) in the offseason than any runner we have had in the past. That's a pretty good indication of her dedication. The other great thing about Megan is that she's very durable and consistent. As a coach, I can count on her for a certain level of performance week in and week out, whether it's during a workout, competition or just a nice easy training run.
 
"That sets us up well. She's not a vocal leader but she leads by example. Having that stability up front allows the other athletes to have someone to follow without necessarily being told to follow."
 
Billington is one of seven returners from last year's Summit League title team. The three-time defending Summit League champions have also added 11 newcomers to the roster.
 
"Fall camp was really fun," Billington said. "We have a lot of freshmen, so it was a great chance to get to know all of them and see what each of them can bring to the team."
 
With the fall season in full swing, the Coyotes are preparing to host the Summit League Cross Country Championships for the first time. The meet will be held at The Bluffs Course on the east side of Vermillion on Oct. 28. With a new course, the Coyotes have begun training at the Bluffs to familiarize themselves with the territory during practice.
 
"We did a 6-kilometer progression run on the course the other day and I felt like everyone looked pretty good," Billington said. "We did three continuous 2-kilometer loops with each loop being 15 seconds faster than the previous. The loops on the course go by pretty fast with all of the turns and it helps that it's flat. I like the course a lot and I'm excited to race on it for the conference meet."
 
The Coyotes resume action on Saturday at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn.
 
 
Running with a mission
 
On her day off from practice every Thursday, Billington still finds her way to the track as a volunteer with Girls on the Run. South Dakota women's track and field has been involved with Girls on the Run in Vermillion for the past eight years.
 
Billington is volunteering with the program for her second year after being encouraged to do so by her teammates.
 
"Our first lesson of the year was about confidence," Billington said. "We did this lesson plan where you fill in the blank to statements such as, 'I feel confident when…' or 'I feel challenged when…' A few of the examples were 'I feel confident when I get a good grade on a test.' or 'I feel challenged when I have to stand up for myself.'
 
"There are different lessons throughout the year that coincide with having them run on the track. The idea of the program is to build up their confidence and better themselves in all aspects of their lives."

Vermillion's Girls on the Run is an extension of a statewide program that is coordinated by EmBe, a Sioux Falls-based organization that provides programs, services and opportunities to women and children. The Girls on the Run program includes meetings twice a week to prepare elementary girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living, while also training them for a 5,000-meter run in November.

Billington is also involved with Mega Sports Camp, a vacation bible school program for children grades 1-6 in Grand Island over the summer. Billington spent her second summer as the head coach of the running group inside of a larger camp. This summer was her fourth helping with the program overall.