Lyons Township High School seniors Tyler Gantt and Patrick Collins often trained side-by-side during last year’s boys cross country season behind four experienced seniors.
Now they’re the front runners in workouts along with sophomore Brennan Monohan.
“I remember when I got moved up to varsity, it was a lot of learning. It’s cool being on the other end of that learning,” Gantt said. “And for racing it’s cool and pretty awesome to just be up there battling with the top guys.”
The Lions’ returning trio from the Class 3A state meet returns with many new varsity faces and the same high aspirations.
Last year, the Lions were seventh (280 points) but only 32 points from third after being in contention for that top three team trophy with a half mile left. Gantt (88th, 15:08.1 for 3.0 miles), Collins (136th, 15:27.4) and Monohan (173rd, 15:42.9) were the Lions’ No. 3, 5 and 6 team finishers.
New varsity hopefuls include seniors Sean Tilles and Parker Robinson, sophomores Evan Ruse, Henry James and Benjamin Radtke, senior Beckett Lettiere and junior Colin Shea. Tilles first joined the team last season.
Lyons Township’s Evan Ruse heads to the finish line during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Brennan Monohan reacts as he crosses the finish line during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston)
“I think they’re going to take their (varsity) positions very well,” Collins said. “Our other guys know what job they have to do. They know the roles they have to take on. Just us working together and running every day and doing hard workouts, it builds experience in them.”
The Lions have history on their side. They’ve qualified for state as a team every season going back to 2008. Seeking at least top five, their highest finish during the stretch was second in 2015.
At their annual Mike Kuharic Invitational Saturday, the Lions (150 points) finished fifth, five points from third.
“This year, we’ve got a shot to be in the mix,” LTHS coach Mike Danner said. “From year to year, I think we’re pretty dang consistent. By the time we get through a summer and to this point, we might have a few hiccups here and there but I feel good about where we’re going to finish.”
Gantt, who was 11th (15:23.52), just .16 from 10th, and Monohan (13th, 15:36.18) were top-15, followed by Ruse (40th, 16:25.62), Tilles (44th, 16:32.67), Collins (46th, 16:34.28), Robinson (74th, 17:06.15) and Lettiere (75th, 17:10.86).
At last year’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet, Gantt (16th) was the last all-conference individual. The Lions finished second to two-time defending 3A state champion Downers Grove North and they won the Lyons Township Regional 53-57 over the Trojans, who did not run their state lineup.
“It’s a lot (about) consistency, working hard, staying locked in and focused,” Gantt said.
“Sticking together more in races (is our key), cutting that gap from 1 to 5 and focusing on recovery,” Collins said.
LTHS girls’ cross country
Lyons Township senior Mya Coglianese overcame injury and sitting out regionals to qualify individually for the 2024 3A state meet.
Then came the challenge of being her school’s lone competitor at state in finishing 98th (18:14.0 for 3.0 miles).
“It’s definitely kind of more stressful. I definitely wanted all of my teammates there,” Coglianese said.
The Lions have a return team state trip on their minds after a one-year absence. They return the rest of their sectional lineup of seniors Annika McDonnell, Addie Powers, Ainsley Grove and Grace Rhoten and junior Amelia Ludden plus senior and 2023 state competitor Jenna Lally (171st, 19:04.3).
Lyons Township’s Mya Coglianese during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Jenna Lally races to the finish line during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Jenna Lally during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston)
New head coach Joe Pontrelli takes over for retired Eric Simon after being the distance coach during the girls track and field season.
“Hopefully we can all go together (to state). It’s definitely more of a team experience, more fun,” Coglianese said. “I know when I was an alternate (at 2023 state), it’s a better vibe and just having all of your teammates there to support you.”.
In 2024, the Lions were 10th at the Hinsdale Central Sectional (240 points), three places and 56 points from the last team qualifier.
Coglianese earned the eighth of 10 individual state berths (32nd, 18:20.3 for 2.9 miles). McDonnell (45th, 18:36.41) was eight places and 10.24 seconds from the final qualifier.
Lally was injured the entire 2024 season but competed during the track season. Other varsity hopefuls include sophomore Lucinda Martinez, who ran instead of Coglianese at regionals, senior Ryann Remiasz, sophomores Elin Dorchinecz, Sarah Edell and Evelyn Thomas and freshman Abbey O’Toole.
On Saturday, Coglianese was fifth (19:12.31 for 3.1 meters) at the Lions’ Mike Kuharic Invitational. Ludden (19th, 20:09.65), Lally (26th, 20:19.01), Powers (29th, 20:31.49) and Martinez (32nd, 20:45.83) contributed a 36-second split, followed by Remiasz (66th, 21:53.80) and Grove (70th, 22:13.62).
The Lions (109 points) were fourth on a sixth-runner tiebreaker with Lincoln Way East for third. O’Toole was second in the freshman race (14:21.5 for 3,400 meters).
Coglianese made a 53-second improvement from her 2024 invite finish (13th, 20:05.76). Last season, Coglianese also was an all-conference 14th at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet for the sixth-place Lions.
“(Returning to state), it’s pretty motivational, knowing I have the chance to make it this year and I can improve from there,” Coglianese said. “It kind of helps me out and sets a goal for the season.”