Junior twins Madison and Kristina Findley are important relay contributors for the Lyons Township High School girls track and field team. Fortunately for the Lions, they were interchangeable for the West Suburban Conference Silver Meet at York on May 5.
When Kristina could not compete because of illness, Madison was her replacement for the 3,200-meter relay.
“She got [sick] all of a sudden overnight. I didn’t know she was feeling that bad until the middle of school when she left,” Madison Findley said. “I was excited, a little nervous because I’ve never tripled [competing in] the 4-by-800, 400 and 4-by-400 before.”
Findley not only ran admirably but put on a late kick in the 3,200 relay to pass Downers Grove North in the final 10 meters to give the Lions the victory with seniors Catherine Sommerfeld and Charlotte Lange and junior Shannon Cranny in 9:23.42, the No. 2 time in the state this season. The Trojans’ second-place 9:23.88 is No. 3.
Sommerfeld also won the 1,600 (5:06.85) as the Lions finished fifth at a team with 39 points.
LTHS also won the 3,200 relay in 2022 with Kristina Findley and Sommerfeld (9:32.30). On May 5, Madison Findley received the baton in first but trailed most of the final lap before her kick.
“I was like, ‘She’s right there. I’ve got to get her.’ If I don’t, I’m not going to feel accomplished because we had such a good lead,” Madison Findley said. “I knew I needed to catch her. I’m very happy about that.”
In the 1,600, Sommerfeld burst into the lead 50 meters into the final lap. Like her 3,200 indoor WSC Silver Meet title, Sommerfeld held off York senior Bria Bennis (5:07.36), who earlier won the 3,200.
“I could feel [Bennis] on my back. I didn’t know how close,” Sommerfeld said. “I knew it wasn’t going to be a [personal-best] race but tactical. I just had to kind of wait it out until the last lap and then I knew I wanted to go.”
Seniors Alannah Justinich (1.42 meters/4 feet, 8 inches in high jump) and Becky Phillips (400 in personal-best 58.69) were third. The 1,600 relay of senior Claire McVady, Phillips, Madison Findley and Cranny was fourth (4:06.55).
The Lions compete at the IHSA Class 3A Shepard Sectional on May 10. Top-two sectional finishers and entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the meet advance to state.
LTHS baseball
The Lions (19-5, 12-3 in WSC Silver) are second in the conference race after sweeping Oak Park and River Forest and losing 6-1 at Hinsdale Central on May 6.
LTHS finishes WSC Silver play with York. First-place Downers Grove North (20-4, 10-2) has series remaining with Proviso West and Glenbard West.
The Lions beat OPRF 11-0 on May 4 after beating them 14-2 in six innings on May 3 and 9-6 on May 2, when a three-run sixth broke a 6-6 tie.
Nate Anderson pitched a one-hit gem in the 11-0 victory with nine strikeouts and no walks and 65 strikes on 84 pitches. Pat Engels homered and Frederick Ragsdale III (triple), Troy Stukenberg (double), Sam Viniard and Ryan Jackson had two hits.
Engels (double, 4 RBIs), Jack Falls (double, 3 RBIs) and Stukenberg (triple) each had two hits in the 9-6 victory. Tucker King fanned seven in 4.2 innings. James Georgelos doubled.
Tristan Hall and Falls tripled and Michael Mango and Viniard doubled in the 14-2 win. Brady Chambers tossed a five-inning, four-hitter with 11 strikeouts and no walks.
In the Stevie’s Way Tournament, the Lions lost to Homewood-Flossmoor 3-0 on May 5. Tristan Clark pitched a complete-game, four-hitter with four strikeouts.
LTHS girls soccer
The Lions (16-1-1, 5-0) clinched a tie for the WSC Silver title by beating York 2-0 on May 4 and Oak Park and River Forest 7-1 on May 2.
Izzy Lebar and Katie O’Malley scored against York. O’Malley had the hat trick against OPRF. Carolina Capozzi scored twice and Zibby Michaelson and Chandlar Lay had one each. The day before, Lay announced her decision to play next season at North Central College.
In the team’s annual Pink Out game for cancer research on May 6, the Lions defeated Andrew 2-0 with goals by O’Malley and Lay. O’Malley leads the Lions with 12 goals.
LTHS boys track and field
The Lions compete at the WSC Silver Meet on May 13 at Glenbard West.
On May 5, LTHS finished second (97 points) at the Hinsdale Central Invite. Vincent Barcelona swept the 300 intermediate hurdles (40.60) and 110 high hurdles (15.69). Will DiSessa was second in triple jump (13.34m/43-9) and third in the 100 (11.40).
Jack Rempfer (200 in 22.49), Matt McGovern (400 in 49.94), Trevor Devries (6.33m/20-9.25 in long jump) and Eddie Tuerk (51.69m/51-5.75 in shot put) were second. Nick Strayer (800 in 1:56.33) and the 400 relay (Adrian Llerenes, Dan Montesano, DiSessa, Rempfer in 43.31) were third.
LTHS softball
The Lions (4-15, 2-6 in WSC Silver) lost to Glenbard West 9-8 in 10 innings May 3 and Downers Grove North 15-5 and 4-1 on May 5.
In non-conference play, LTHS lost at Riverside-Brookfield 11-9 on May 2 and at Shepard 6-5 on May 6.
The first Downers North game was the conclusion of a suspended game.
LTHS boys volleyball
The Lions (20-5, 3-2 in WSC Silver) lost to Downers Grove North 25-21, 26-24, 25-23 on May 2 and Lake Park 25-20, 26-24 on May 3.
LT boys lacrosse
The Lions (14-2, 1-2) defeated Naperville Central 13-2 on May 8, Evanston 14-4 on May 6 and Downers Grove South 6-2 on May 3.
LTHS lost to Glenbard West 7-2 in conference play May 2.
LTHS girls lacrosse
The Lions (4-8, 1-3 in WSC) earned their first conference victory 8-5 over Glenbard West on May 3.
Anna Murphy had two goals. Caitlyn Curtin had four assists.
LTHS also lost to Downers Grove North 15-3 and St. Charles East 17-6 last week.
