Lyons’ Gordon set for postseason action

Updated: October 17, 2011 7:32PM

There might a few mixed emotions for Lisa Gordon, who will run on her home course for the final time during the IHSA Class 3A Lyons Regional.

The Lyons Township senior, a Western Springs resident, finished fifth (17:50.7) in her final West Suburban Silver meet, held at her school’s South campus on Saturday.

Gordon, who missed last year’s conference meet and postseason due to a right hip injury, appears completely healthy this season. LT will host the regional at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by the boys race at 11 a.m.

“Last year, we had one girl (Carly Rocco) make all-conference,” Gordon said. “We had three girls in the top 10. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Lyons Township (68 points) finished third behind Glenbard West and York (51 each), with Glenbard West winning the tiebreaker based on the finish of its No. 6 runner.

Lyons Township placed its top four runners among the top 20 finishers, including Alex Daemicke (7th, 18:04.4), Haley Prokaski (9th, 18:08.1) and Lexy Rudofski (20th, 18:45.5). Randie Speir (19:10.8) was 27th.

Gordon said she thrived with Daemicke and Prokaski being able to keep pace with her. In LT’s last race, the flighted Wheaton North Invitational, Gordon was unable to key on any teammates, since the meet separated runners from teammates in order to compete in their own races by rank.

“This was the first big meet that we were all together,” Daemicke said. “We can focus on our pace.”

The last major meet in which all LT runners competed together was the Palatine Invitational on Sept. 24. The Lions finished fifth.

Saturday’s Lyons Regional will feature West Suburban Conference rivals Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North (Silver), and Hinsdale South and Downers Grove South (Gold).

“I’m feeling really good, especially how late in the season it is,” Gordon said. “We’re all confident and not pushing it too much.”

Daemicke is one runner looking forward to the regional at home.

“You usually complain (about running at home), but I think it’s a privilege to have it here — and so close,” Daemicke said.

Boys cross country

Junior Michael Matusiak (15:18.5) finished sixth overall as LT’s top runner in the conference meet.

Lyons Township (95) placed fourth with the help of Ed McCarter (13th, 15:34.0), Grant Smith (23rd, 15:54.9), James Ryan (26th, 15:58.4) and John Dombro (27th, 15:59.1).

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