LTHS Cross Country Teams Hope to Return to State Meet

Following solid finishes in the 2009 state championship meet, the Lyons Township High School girls and boys cross country teams, which begin formal practices Aug. 11, know they must work hard to compensate for the loss of some important teammates who have graduated.

The girls squad finished 10th collectively at last year's state competition, and did so without their top performer, Kelsey Kilrea, who suffered an ankle sprain prior to the tournament. Now that Kilrea has graduated, along with several other significant team members, including Katherin Rehn and Alexa Adducci, the lady Lions are hoping to make up for the losses with stronger determination and work ethic.

"We are losing a group of great senior leaders who really contributed to the team last year," said incoming junior and 2009 state runner, Lisa Gordon. "However, we are all stepping up and training harder than we have in past summers to make up for the talent that we lost to prepare for the upcoming season."

Despite losing senior leaders, six of their seven state performers are returning this season.

"We have a lot of new girls stepping up on their training this summer," incoming senior standout Carly Rocco said. "Many girls are coming off of a strong track season and will be there to help our team reach its ultimate goals."

Remaining healthy is essential to another top 10 finish at state.

"We would like to continue our streak of getting down state in November," Gordon said. "This year we are all trying to stay healthy, maintain positive attitudes, and improve over the season."

The boys team—5th place finishers at the boys state meet in 2009—has one of the best male runners in the state, senior Sam Telfer, and several other strong senior performers, including Mark Holt, Mike Kokoris, and Tim Pollard.

"As a team we're looking to at least match our finish last year of 5th," Telfer said. "We want to stay uninjured and to beat Hinsdale Central, who has been talking big about how good they're going to be. Individually, I'd ideally like to finish in the top 10 at state."

The team finds strength in friendship.

"Our biggest strength is definitely team chemistry," Kokoris said. "There is a high chance that six or even all seven varsity spots will be filled by incoming seniors, and we've been friends since freshman year, spending countless hours together."

The team is also very committed; Kokoris said numerous varsity hopefuls ran more than 500 miles during the summer in preparation for the upcoming season.