Even though she’s only a freshman, 15-year-old Lyla Huffman has already had a huge impact on Houston High School cross country racing.
Through 10 meets in the 2025 season, Huffman has posted six victories and finished second four times, including a runner-up finish at the Class 3 District 2 championships last Saturday at El Dorado Springs. She holds the HHS girls school record for a 3.1-mile (5,000-meter) course at 19:02.53 and has posted the only three sub-20-minute times by a girl in program history.
What motivates Huffman?
But none of that should come as a big surprise when you consider Huffman’s drive to succeed in cross country.
“I like to compete,” she said, “and I just like racing.”
“Being as proficient as she has been right out of the gate is pretty awesome,” said Houston cross country head coach Justin Brown.
Huffman appreciates the dual-purpose aspect of cross country.
“I like how you get to do it individually and as a team,” she said.
How did Huffman become Houston’s best runner?
Huffman won a state championship as a seventh-grader in 2023, before her eighth-grade season was hampered by an injury. She said there was a pretty specific time when she fully realized and embraced her love of cross country.
“It was when I started competing and racing in middle school,” Huffman said. “As a sixth-grader.”
Like most athletes who excel in their sport, Huffman doesn’t just train during organized practices.
“I do extra training at my house after practice,” she said. “And I actually do what Coach Brown tells us to do.”
Transitioning from racing at the middle school level to the high school level is a big step for any young athlete. The fields are stronger and the courses are longer, increasing from 1.5 to 2 miles to 3.1 miles.
Huffman said there are other factors as well.
“Trying to stay up with people and trying not to get injured,” she said.
Who has mentored Huffman?
Brown won an individual cross country state championship as a high school senior, and has overseen Huffman’s entire career in racing.
But her father, Dave Huffman, has firsthand experience in the sport and has been a major influence in her approach and her success.
“He always helps me when I train at my house,” Lyla said, “and he used to do it when he was in high school.”
Huffman has an identical twin sister named Ali. Ali would likely be a successful racer, too, but sustained an Achilles heel injury close to three years ago and has been trying to get back to racing condition ever since.
“It’s been a very long road to recovery,” Brown said. “Dave is trying everything he can; hopefully we can get her going so she can get at least a couple of years in.”
“I think it would be really good to have her on the team,” Lyla said.
What does Huffman want to accomplish?
Huffman will embark on her first season of track and field in the spring of 2026, and has the potential to score points in several events. Brown is the HHS track program’s distance coach.
“We haven’t settled on where we’re going to be just yet,” he said, “but there are a lot of options.”
But cross country is Huffman’s primary focus, and she intends to stay with it and get better at it.
“I just want to improve,” she said, “like going to districts and state.”
“And I would say she probably wants a state championship eventually,” Brown said.
While winning races on a regular basis, Huffman has been dealing with some issues with a foot this season. At the district meet, she finished just behind her rival, Fair Grove junior Katrina Cantwell, who has beaten Huffman by slim margins three times this season.
The district race actually took place on Huffman’s 15th birthday. Prior to the event, she considered it to be just another day at the office, so to speak.
“I think it will be a good opportunity to do good and improve,” she said.
Brown had a slightly different outlook, hoping Huffman could put a cherry on top of the cake by securing her biggest win in a stellar inaugural season.
“That would be a good birthday right there,” Brown said.
Huffman’s next race is set for this Friday in the Class 3 State Championship race in Columbia.
“She’ll be ready,” Brown said. “She always is.”