Ruth Ayala Terrazas ’29
Staff Writer
The Class of 2026 has contributed many achievements to Holy Cross athletics. Among them is senior distance runner, Liam Lyons. Competing year round in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track, Lyons has built a career defined not only by success, but by steady growth and humility.
Lyons did not begin his athletic career with a singular focus on running. Instead, he described it as something that developed over time. Initially, running served as a way to stay in shape for other sports, particularly baseball.
“I just kind of gradually made the switch over,” he explained.
That gradual transition eventually led to his recruitment to run at Holy Cross in 2022. Lyons pointed out subtle differences in training.
Cross country emphasizes higher mileage throughout the week, while track shifts focus toward speed, race specific workouts, and precision. The conversation also brought up a familiar misconception: running is an individual sport. Lyons pushed back on this notion, highlighting his team’s closeness.
“With cross country especially, given that it is a small roster, we are just naturally close, and when it comes to practices, I have a great training partner,” Lyons said.
His success speaks for itself. Over the course of his collegiate career, he has broken multiple school records, including the indoor mile (3:54.98), the 1000m (2:19.31), and several outdoor events such as the mile (3:59.75), 800m (1:49.33), and 1500m (3:40.18).
Many of these records had stood for decades, some dating back to the late 1960s and 1970s, making his accomplishments even more significant. In addition to his record breaking performances, Lyons earned honors such as Patriot League Track Athlete of the Week, Second Team All-Patriot League, and multiple Academic All-Patriot League selections.
He also served as team captain for both cross country and track, a role that reflects the respect he has earned from teammates and coaches alike.
Beyond the accolades, two aspects of Lyons’ journey stand out.
The first is the unexpected connection between his athletic career and his academic interests. As an international studies major with dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland, Lyons’ career extends beyond collegiate competition. This past January, he ran 2:19.31 in the 1000m, setting the Irish U23 national record. After graduation, he will continue to represent Ireland in an international meet, an opportunity that ties together his identity, education, and athletic career in a meaningful way.
The second is his character. Despite being one of the fastest athletes on campus, Lyons comes across as grounded and approachable. That perspective is most clear when he talks about what running means to him.
“Running will always be a part of my life,” Lyons said. “It has taught me so much about myself, and my time at Holy Cross has only expanded my ability to do it well. I have also met people who also strive to get better every day.”
What stands out in this reflection is not just his commitment to the sport, but how deeply he connects it to personal growth and community. For Lyons, running is not defined by records or results alone, but by the relationships and lessons built through it.
Seniors like him leave a lasting impact on their programs, shaping the culture for those who come next. Recognizing athletes like Lyons matters because it not only honors their work, but also motivates current student-athletes to continue striving for success.
This also strengthened recruitment and the overall energy surrounding Holy Cross athletics. His journey shows that growth, consistency, and humility can define a career just as much as performance.
As the Class of 2026 moves on, Lyons’ legacy will remain a standard for what it means to contribute to a program. Congratulations to Lyons and all Holy Cross student-athletes in the Class of 2026 for the mark they are leaving behind.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
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