Lyons has plenty of athletes capable of making it to the 2A podium, but Forrest Donnell and Zach Pfeifer figure to be prominent among those. Contributed photo/Photo by Paul Jaeger.
Remember cross country season when every classification had a title sweep except 2A? Remember that Lyons"swept second place in 2A? They just might find an opportunity to fix that this spring.
We've already profiled the Lyons girls, but the boys figure to score a pile of points as well. Anyone planning on running down the Lions had best have a lot of possibiliites at their disposal.
You could start at just about any event that you'd like and find that Lyons has contenders for state points in that event.
So, let's take an unconventional route (for these articles) and start with field events. Lyons has plenty to talk about there.
Michael Frehr (discus) and Marco Rodriguez (shot put) both enter the season as 2A top-five ranked throwers. Both have experience at the state meet, though neither has a medal. That should add a little element of hunger for both this season. Jess Pfarr isn't pfarr from mid-level state points in the discus.
Three returning high jumpers--Shaun Wicen, Ryan Boucher, and Chris Smith--find their places among the 2A top-15 rankings entering the season. Wicen (6-0) is the strongest jumper of the three and could easily be a top-five finisher this spring.
In the long jump, it's Forrest Donnell. The junior has a PR of 20-5.75 in the long jump and figures to be able to contend for a state title this spring. Wicen's name might show up in this event as well. Brysen Daughton, a senior, needs a breakout year but could earn Lyons a few points in the triple jump this spring.
The pole vault? It's not that Lyons would be lost without the pole vault, but Lyons has accumulated points in bunches in this event over recent years. Matthew Chanlynn and Anthony Triffet are the heirs apparent to the Lyons pole vault legacy. Both should be placers at state.
And that would make seven for seven for field events with points possibilities for Lyons this spring. Not a bad ratio.
Going to the track, things don't drop off much. Maybe they don't drop off at all.
Looking at the relays, Lyons managed to place in all four 3A relays last spring, including winning the 4x100. And, honestly, Lyons wasn't hit very hard by graduation. There is certainly some good competition to be had, but it's going to be difficult to outpoint the Lions in relays.
Lyons was hit hardest by graduation in the hurdle events. Jacob Windsor, winner of the 3A 300 hurdles is gone. Both Forrest Donnell and Justin Boldt have some 300 hurdle possibilities, but both are currently just a little on the outside looking in so far as points are concerned. Truth be told, Forrest Donnell's many talents are likely put to better use in other events. Madd Radich gives Lyons some hope of being competitive in the 110 hurdles this spring.
Did I mention yet that Lyons is a very balanced team?
Zach Pfeifer is among the top middle distance threats in 2A. Peyton's Nick Baca coming down from 3A along with Lyons will add a little more to the middle distance interest factor, but Pfeifer should be knocking on the door of some serious points at state nevertheless. It's likely Pfeifer will go to four events when state rolls around--4x400, 4x800, 800, and 1600. And, Pfeifer just might have some help at distances 800 meters and up. The results from cross country last fall suggest that Lyons is busy reloading its distance talent. Look for names like Sean Flynn and possibly Ryan Boucher (provided he doesn't become too valuable in other events) to make contributions at longer distances.
That would narrow things down to the sprints. Lyons may be a little thin at 100 meters, but they are fat at 200 and 400 meters. Forrest Donnell (heard that name before?) will enter the season as the top-ranked 200 runner in 2A with a PR of 22.88. Shaun Wicen (51.65) and Ryan Boucher (53.40) both run very nice quarters.
It's not a reach to suggest that Lyons would be a threat to win the 3A title this spring had they stayed in that classification. They finished third with a young team last spring. That young team is now seasoned and poised to raise a few eyebrows. The worst thing about a team like this is living all spring with the expectations.