The Lyons Township girls cross country team entered Saturday’s Class 3A Lockport sectional looking to compete for a sectional championship.

By the end of the day, the Lions were just happy they advanced out of the sectional, period.

LT had to overcome injuries to its top two runners during the race, in addition to the wind, cold and a muddy Dellwood Park course, to finish fifth overall with 110 points. The top five teams advanced to this weekend’s state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. 

“We were hoping to compete with Sandburg (who won the sectional with 51 points), but we had a little adversity,” LT coach Julie Metz said. “I really was very proud of our pack that had to step it up and try and compensate for what happened to our No. 1 and No. 2 runners.”

Senior Kelsey Kilrea (20:16), who led the Lions with her 14th-place finish overall, rolled her ankle after the first mile Saturday and struggled during the middle portion of the race. Sophomore Lisa Gordon (20:57), who was the Lyons regional champion last week, finished fifth for LT and 36th overall after battling with several reoccurring injuries during the final mile.

Senior Eliza Dudley (20:26) stepped up for the Lions with her 16th-place finish, and junior Juliet Lusson (21st, 20:32) and freshman Randie Speir (23rd, 20:34) were close behind.  Junior Carly Rocco (59th, 21:47) and senior Emily Meingast (80th, 22:26) also ran for LT.

“I was really pleased that we were able to qualify,” Metz said, “but it wasn’t pretty.”

The Lions now turn their attention to Saturday’s state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Metz is looking for her runners to stay healthy and have their best runs of the season in Peoria, and is hoping her pack can keep its split time to 45 seconds or less. “The No. 1 goal (at the beginning of the season) was to win the state championship,” Metz said. “If our pack can be within 45 seconds of our No. 1 and 2, we’re going to be in great shape.”
 

LT boys

Junior Sam Telfer finished fourth overall with a time of 16:35 to lead Lyons Township to a second-place finish Saturday at the Class 3A Lockport sectionals.

LT finished with 60 points overall. Neuqua Valley won the sectional with 35 points.

Senior Mike Moor (16:52) finished eighth overall for the Lions, who also got strong showings from senior Robbie Kucera (13th, 16:55), junior Mark Holt (14th, 16:56) and senior Andrew Allabastro (22nd, 17:07).

Seniors Robby Keeler (28th, 17:18) and Stu Newstat (44th, 17:40) also competed for LT.

The Lions now advance to Saturday’s state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Class 3A race is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.