"It'll give me an opportunity to deal with different courses and different competition," Nickerson said. "We'll be competing against teams from every state and against Australian teams."
Troy Neaville, Redskins cross-country coach, agrees with Nickerson.
"It'll be good that they'll be running and gaining experience," Neaville said. "The more that they are running, the better it is."
The cost for the 13-day trip, which is from July 1-13, is $3,200.
The three runners will be raising money through various events.
There will be a pasta fundraiser from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Christian Church.
They will also be holding car washes at the Citizens State Bank on May 13 and at Pizza Hut May 20.
For Keats, she will represent Liberal as part of a delegation from the Dodge City/Garden City area.
The competition will take place from Aug. 1-14.
The program not only involves athletics, but academics as well.
"The summer program combines competitive track and field with stroing educational goals," said a letter from Mark Clemons, sports program coordinator for People to People Sports Ambassadors.
Keats will be studying the customs, industry and geography of Australia. She will be able to earn high school credit through a paper or journal on her experiences.