The state Cross Country Championships brought more than one first to the community that's hosted the event for years.
This year's meet brought new admission fees and a first-time traffic change, which many say worked well in accommodating added traffic.
On Nov. 5, in anticipation of the added vehicles the event would bring in a largely residential neighborhood, city officials, in coordination with the Missouri State High School Activities Association, changed Ellis Boulevard to a one-way street eastbound from Tanner Bridge Road to Rosewood Drive. The street remained a one-way from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 5.
Tina Werner, general recreation and support services division director, said the one-way worked really well, but there were a few kinks that need to be worked out in future years. She said the one-way was split into three lanes, which should probably be taken down to two next year.
"Just a few things we need to tweak for next year," Werner said. "But overall, I think everything went really well."