The coach of the Cherry Hill High School East Boys cross country team was asked to select an athlete to put a spotlight on for the month of September. This athlete had to be not only outstanding in their athletic performance, but in their quality of character, leadership, and work ethic as well. Head Coach, Christopher Corey, has nominated Brandon Lyons (‘25).

“I nominated Brandon mainly due to his progression over the past three years. He is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He’s very tough, he had grit and determination even from a younger runner. This year he’s done a much better job making sure he’s properly conditioned and focused on his specific individual improvement as a runner,” said Coach Corey.

Brandon opened up the season finishing fourth at Ocean County Park, placing him sixth in the state of New Jersey. In one of the most competitive years in recent history, the team is currently ranked sixth in the state. The boys have high expectations for this challenging year and with teamwork and dedication, they aim to win states along with securing a top-three finish at the Meet of Champions.

“The team is everything, they are my backbone, and they motivate me to be my best self and a leader,” said Lyons.

Brandon’s journey as an athlete started freshman year when his grandparents signed him up for cross-country. 

“In both my freshman and sophomore years, there was hardly any consistency in my training which ended up limiting my running capabilities. Without passion or drive for the sport, routine was hard to come by,” said Lyons.

Despite a lack of commitment in previous years, Brandon decided in his junior year to fully dedicate himself to running, proving it is never too late to start. 

“I realized my gift of running provided me with countless opportunities, irreplaceable teammates and coaches, and a chance to become the person I wanted to become. My season was built on a foundation of faith where winning races to me was not only about winning at a surface level but also a spiritual one,” said Lyons. 

In his successes with running, Brandon aims to spread his journey of faith and inner strength to others. He emphasizes that a big part of building that faith comes with the responsibility to handle the struggles thrown in his direction. 

“When I pray for success in my races, I understand that it does not come without its challenges. By placing us in difficult situations that he knows we can handle, God gives us opportunities to grow,” said Lyons.

Amidst last year’s spring track season, Brandon’s grandfather passed and this was a big hurdle for him. 

“[It] made everything more important than before, and my goals became more clear. I was able to grow from it through my faith,” he said.

As Brandon enters his final Cross-Country season of his high school career, he shares his story to encourage others to use their talents to build lifelong connections, make a positive impact on the world, and live life to the fullest. In Brandon’s case, he hopes his talent can bridge new connections between his faith and the people around him. 

“As I finish my final Cross-Country season of my high school career, I run with the knowledge that I am not just running to win races, I am pursuing my biggest aspirations through the strength my faith brings.”

There is no question that cross-country is extremely difficult, involving both the mind and body. Brandon and Coach Corey agree that the sport is, “more mental than physical,” and staying motivated is a journey in and of itself.

“One thing I‘ve learned throughout my journey is that playing a sport is about more than just showing up; to succeed, you need a purpose that keeps you going, no matter what challenges come your way,” said Lyons.

Brandon hopes his journey inspires younger runners to put their all into what they do and to give 100% effort.