Back in business
Lightfoot returns to OPHS girls' cross country team
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers FEELING FINE- Oak Park senior Courtney Lightfoot missed the 2006 cross country season with a right ankle injury. She enters this season healthy and ready to run, which is a good thing for an Eagles girls' team that was ranked No. 5 in the state in a preseason poll released by the website www.DyeStatCal.com.

After finishing in second place at the CIF Division III State Championships last season, Oak Park High's girls' cross country team is hoping the return of Courtney Lightfoot can push the Eagles to the front of the pack.

Lightfoot, a 16yearold senior, sat out the entire cross country season a year ago because of a right ankle injury that required her to have surgery and miss six months. After watching her teammates have success from the sideline, Lightfoot eagerly awaits the new year.

"The journey of coming back from the injury has been tough," Lightfoot said. "At first I thought the injury was just a minor sprain that I had gotten after tripping off a sidewalk curb. However, the next day I tried to walk on it, and it hurt very badly."

On July 3, 2006, Lightfoot went into surgery. Soon afterward, Oak Park cross country head coach Kevin Smith was told his No. 1 runner would likely be lost for the season.

Smith said not having Lightfoot last year was tough, but the decision to not hurry her back into action was easy.

"Everyone kept wondering when we got to the state meet if I would bring her out to run," Smith said. "There was no way that was going to happen.

"She still had her senior year ahead of her, and I didn't want to ruin that. But even if she didn't have her senior year left it still would have been an easy decision. I didn't want to jeopardize the rest of her life."

Although Smith was sure of his decision to not rush Lightfoot back, it didn't mean Lightfoot accepted the verdict easily.

"Every day she would think of a new way to ask me if she could run or not," Smith said, "and every single time I would say, 'Umm, let me think about that for a second. Hmm . . . no.'"

Lightfoot didn't always enjoy being a spectator on race days.

"It was hard seeing my team do so well without me being a part of it," Lightfoot said. "Although I think the experience might have been good for me because I think my heart is more into running now than ever before. In fact, I think my running now is better than it ever was in the past."

Lightfoot said she finally began to run again in December. After watching a videotape of herself, Lightfoot realized she was favoring the injured leg and made the necessary adjustments.

As a captain last year, Lightfoot said it was difficult telling her teammates to do something a certain way when she wasn't doing anything at all. This season she wants to become more of a team leader.

"I could see how people might not take me seriously if I wasn't out there doing the work with them," Lightfoot said. "Now I am back running, so it's easier to give advice. The time off has also given me the chance to bond with some of the younger runners, where I might not have had the time if I wasn't hurt."

Lightfoot said her goals include being a top three runner in the state and competing in nationals. She hasn't made any plans for college yet, although she said Oregon, Washington and Colorado are possibilities.

Smith said he's thrilled to have Lightfoot back on the course for one final season.

"I'm prepared to watch her have a sensational year, not just physically but emotionally as well," Smith said.

"She has all the different components of being a great runner. She was blessed with great ability and a graceful stride, and she has a competitive fire that helps her to be the best she can be."