LTHS Spring Sports Part II: Boys Lacrosse, Boys Track and Field

This is the second of a four-part series previewing spring sports at Lyons Township and covering teams' early progress. For Part I, go . For our separate preview of the baseball team, go .

Boys Lacrosse—If one was looking for a darkhorse contender for a state title this spring, they wouldn’t need to look any further than Lyons’ boys lacrosse team.

“I thought our players developed a lot during last season, leading us to our 8th straight conference championship and a trip to the elite eight,” head coach Eric Nuss said. “Our loss in the quarterfinals was tough to get over; we felt we were better than we played that day.”

In light of the painful end to one promising season, Nuss is openly confident about his side’s chances in the next.

“We don't anticipate keeping any weaknesses,” Nuss said. “We return a lot of experience, as Matt Sammarco, Trevor Kinzie, JD Heinz, Joe Gonzalez, Will Konstant and Ricky Razo have all been on varsity for three years. We are balanced at every position and are looking to have a great season.”

And though the downfall of Lyons last season came in uncharacteristic performances in the clutch, Nuss believes the team is sufficiently equipped to improve on the successes of 2010.

“Our goals are to play the best we can,” Nuss said. “If that happens we feel we can beat anyone in Illinois. We expect to win conference again and make a deep run into the playoffs.”

After a resounding 13-0 win over conference opponent Glenbard West at home in its opener the Lions recorded its second victory over York. The squad is currently 2-0 and is set to host non-conference opposition in St. Viator on Tuesday.

Boys Track and Field—Comparable to the LTHS girls squad, Lyons’ boys track and field team is particularly talented in both long and short-distance running. Touting big names like University of Illinois-bound cross country star Sam Telfer, varsity football defensive back Mike Thomas and receiver Matthew Harris, among others, the Lions won’t be missing anything on the ground.

“As a team we finished 12th at state last year, which blew away our state expectations,” senior runner Mac Hill said. “But we underachieved at meets such as conference and sectionals. We want to win a state trophy this year with a top three finish.”

Despite several losses from the 2010 squad, including Mike Moore, Andrew Allabastro, Pat Rhode and Jimi Newsome, and steep competition within the conference, with York in particular set to be a competitive outfit, Hill claimed the program is maintaining high hopes for the 2011 campaign.

“We would like all four of our relay teams to earn all-state honors,” Hill said. “So far this year, four records have been broken: the 200 meter run, 600 meter run, four by 400 meter relay and triple jump. As individuals, we want to try to break some more records.”