“I’m usually not first,” Chris Lemon said. “Most of the time, Matt is ahead of me in practice, and Greg sometimes is, too. When we’re doing hill work, a lot of guys are ahead of me.”
But something clicks for Lemon when he lines up for official races. He’s finished first in all three meets this year, tying his school record in the 8K (4.97 miles) in 24:05 while dusting 284 other runners in the National Catholic Invitational at Notre Dame last weekend.
“He’s a very strong athlete, but more importantly, he’s got a very strong mind,” UD coach Rich Davis said. “He focuses on his goals, and he’s able to push his body to reach those goals.”
Lemon was the first Flyer to win the A-10 meet last year and helped the team finish third for its all-time best showing.
“He lives a runner’s lifestyle,” Davis said. “He’s concerned with two things: one is to work on training, and he combines that with — and this is hard to get through to college students — the right recovery. The training only helps you if you recover right, and that means nutrition and sleep. Usually, in college, it’s up all night with beer and pizza.
“He works hard at training, and he concentrates on recovery. ... He’s not a party animal until the gun goes off.”
Lemon, who ran a 4:11 mile in high school and picked Dayton over Purdue and Ohio State, will be tested the rest of the way since the Flyers’ tougher meets are later in the season.
UD qualified for the nationals in 2008, and Lemon’s goal is to get there again. He also wants to earn All-American honors by finishing in the top 40.
“That’s probably my biggest individual goal,” he said. “A top-10 finish is not unrealistic.”
TICKET INFO: UD is sending letters to its basketball season-ticket holders this week with instructions on how to make online orders for the NCAA tournament First Four games.
There will be doubleheaders March 15 and 16. As of now, only all-session passes are being sold at a cost of $97 and $117, which include $17 in fees.
The deadline to order is Sept. 29. On Oct. 1, the public can make purchase at www.ncaa.com/tickets.
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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