If life after high school has taught former Fountain-Fort Carson sprinter Christian Lyon one thing, it’s how fast things can happen off the track, too.

The former multi-state champion and leader of the Trojans is still adjusting to college life. Currently at Barton Community College in Kansas, the 20-year-old is trying to balance running, his studies and two jobs with being a new father.

Lyon, who ran the nation’s fastest 100 in 10-seconds flat at the Texas Relays last month, is most eager to talk about his 7-month-old son Josiah these days. One in particular, September 10, the day his son entered the world.

 “How could something be so beautiful,” he said he thought when he first held his son -- 7 pounds and 15 ounces.

Since then, fatherhood has been all parts frightening and rewarding for Lyon. From an unexpected pregnancy to the doubts of parenting, Lyon said he’s putting his faith into God and is doing his best with his family's future in mind.

“Seven months into it, I’m getting into the hang of things still,” he said. “If I stay on top of it, just being confident and just keeping Josiah on my mind on the time and being a role model for him I think I’ll be pretty good.”

Lyon’s track career, in the meantime, has reached new heights since Josiah’s entrance.

After Lyon struggled with self-confidence in his first year at Barton, his sophomore season has been nothing short of a rejuvenation.  Just as he was in high school, Lyon is embracing the role of a vocal team leader while paving the way with blistering fast times.

The 2016 F-FC graduate has recently set personal records in the 100, 200 and 60. His 10-flat 100 in March was, at the time, the fastest mark recorded in 2018.

“I think it’s the mindset that he has,” said Mark’Quis Frazier, an assistant track coach at Barton. “Others look at him crazy when he says he’s going to run a certain time. But he’s very confident, very strong in his faith and works hard.”

Lyon, Josiah, and his girlfriend plan on heading to Virginia in the fall, where Lyon will move on from community college to study and run track for Division-I Liberty University.

And while he’s glad things are progressing for him, and that his mom will be nearby to help care for Josiah, he knows his responsibilities to his family are no less great.

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With everything he does, he vows, he will do it with his son in mind.

“I have to set a standard for him to look up to,” Lyon said. “Like if I have a hard workout, sometimes I’m thinking like ‘Would you want Josiah to quit on something hard in life?’ And I’m like ‘No’.

“You have to give it your all. I have to give it everything I have.”

 Discovery Canyon's Prechtel earns USA Basketball trial invite

Discovery Canyon center Ashten Prechtel is one of 35 athletes from around the country to be invited to the USA Women’s U17 World Cup Team Trials. 

The trials, which will be held May 24-28 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, should have up to 115 athletes after the committee looks over the applications from non-invitees. All of them will vie for just 12 spots on the team.

 “It’s really cool to know that I can compete with the other best players in my class,” said Prechtel, who averaged 15.1 points and 12.6 rebounds this past season. “I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Those who make the cut will begin training camp with Team USA July 4-20. 

Cheyenne Mountain senior wins Canadian national swimming championships

Kate Sanderson, a club swimmer on the Colorado Springs Swim Team, won the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Canadian National Swimming Championships earlier this month. The South Carolina commit will now compete for her native country at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August in Fiji.

“It still hasn't sunk in to be honest,” the Cheyenne Mountain senior said.

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