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There are only 24 hours in a day but for Lilli Denton, that’s more than enough.The Saint Albert senior is a four-sport athlete, splitting her year between cross country and volleyball in the fall, then soccer and track in the spring, all while emerging as one of Iowa’s elite distance runners.”She accomplishes things that most kids couldn’t even fathom,” Saint Albert head soccer coach Chris Hughes said. Balancing that workload takes more than talent, it takes relentless discipline and Denton’s coaches say her drive extends far beyond organized practices.”The work she does on her own is insane. More so than I’ve ever seen anybody do,” track and field coach Theresa Martin said. “It’s off-season work and just constantly pushing herself.”Even Denton admits the schedule can be overwhelming at times, but she credits her support system for keeping her grounded.”It can be a whole lot sometimes,” Denton said. “But my coaches do an amazing job of making sure I get what I need in both soccer and track, and I love both my teams, so that makes it easy.”Still, it’s on the track where Denton truly separates herself.”I love it, it’s just a rush of adrenaline,” she said. “You feel unstoppable, like you could just go forever.”That feeling translated into a historic performance at the Drake Relays on the iconic Blue Oval. Denton ran the 1500 meters in 4:25.78, shattering her own school record, setting a new Drake Relays record, and recording the second-fastest time in Iowa history.“It was surreal,” Denton said. “Growing up, you go to the Drake Relays and look at it as something so big. Getting the flag, it’s just surreal.”Coach Martin remembers the finish vividly.”Watching her come in, I had tears in my eyes, Martin said. “Knowing she’s going to be remembered across the state.”While the accolades are impressive, Denton says it’s not what drives her most.”It’s the people,” she said. “Going to a small school, we’ve all been super close over the last four years. I couldn’t give up being with my people every day.”That sense of connection will soon be tested. Next season, Denton will take her talents to the University of Texas, joining one of the nation’s premier track and field programs.”When I went down there, I just fell in love with it instantly,” she said.Her coaches believe she’s more than ready.”Pure grit, determination, she’s a hard worker,” Martin said. “She is proof that if you work hard enough, you can make anything work,” Hughes added.Before she heads south, Denton has one final goal: to leave a legacy at Saint Albert that goes beyond records.”I want to leave my mark,” she said. “As someone that was hardworking and left it all out on the track.”
There are only 24 hours in a day but for Lilli Denton, that’s more than enough.
The Saint Albert senior is a four-sport athlete, splitting her year between cross country and volleyball in the fall, then soccer and track in the spring, all while emerging as one of Iowa’s elite distance runners.
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“She accomplishes things that most kids couldn’t even fathom,” Saint Albert head soccer coach Chris Hughes said.
Balancing that workload takes more than talent, it takes relentless discipline and Denton’s coaches say her drive extends far beyond organized practices.
“The work she does on her own is insane. More so than I’ve ever seen anybody do,” track and field coach Theresa Martin said. “It’s off-season work and just constantly pushing herself.”
Even Denton admits the schedule can be overwhelming at times, but she credits her support system for keeping her grounded.
“It can be a whole lot sometimes,” Denton said. “But my coaches do an amazing job of making sure I get what I need in both soccer and track, and I love both my teams, so that makes it easy.”
Still, it’s on the track where Denton truly separates herself.
“I love it, it’s just a rush of adrenaline,” she said. “You feel unstoppable, like you could just go forever.”
That feeling translated into a historic performance at the Drake Relays on the iconic Blue Oval.
Denton ran the 1500 meters in 4:25.78, shattering her own school record, setting a new Drake Relays record, and recording the second-fastest time in Iowa history.
“It was surreal,” Denton said. “Growing up, you go to the Drake Relays and look at it as something so big. Getting the flag, it’s just surreal.”
Coach Martin remembers the finish vividly.
“Watching her come in, I had tears in my eyes, Martin said. “Knowing she’s going to be remembered across the state.”
While the accolades are impressive, Denton says it’s not what drives her most.
“It’s the people,” she said. “Going to a small school, we’ve all been super close over the last four years. I couldn’t give up being with my people every day.”
That sense of connection will soon be tested. Next season, Denton will take her talents to the University of Texas, joining one of the nation’s premier track and field programs.
“When I went down there, I just fell in love with it instantly,” she said.
Her coaches believe she’s more than ready.
“Pure grit, determination, she’s a hard worker,” Martin said.
“She is proof that if you work hard enough, you can make anything work,” Hughes added.
Before she heads south, Denton has one final goal: to leave a legacy at Saint Albert that goes beyond records.
“I want to leave my mark,” she said. “As someone that was hardworking and left it all out on the track.”
