Denis Lydon had a storied career with the Behrend cross country and track & field teams from 2010-14. In cross country, he was a four-time All-Conference Runner and named AMCC Runner of the Year, and Individual Champion during his senior season. Lydon was voted a three-time Most Valuable Performer by his teammates and Rookie of the Year. He was also a two-time Academic All-American. In track & field, Lydon was a two-time Mason Dixon 10K Champion and three-time ECAC Qualifier, while being a five-time All-Mason Dixon selection.

Specializing in long-distance events, throughout his track career, Lydon joined the cross country team as a freshman and immediately hit the ground running. He was team Rookie of the Year and All-Conference for placing sixth at the championship meet. The next three seasons, Lydon was the team’s Most Valuable Performer for finishing fourth (2011), second (2012) and then claiming the individual championship in his senior season in 2013. 

The conference champion and Runner of the Year finished in the Top 25 percent at the NCAA Mid-East Regionals both junior and senior years.

Lydon was seemingly at his best when it came to championship season as he was additionally a two-time Mason Dixon Champion and still holds the school record in the 10K. He also was a three-time All-Mason Dixon performer in the 5K thanks to third and second-place finishes at the championship meet.

His success was far from limited at the conference level. He qualified for the ECAC Championships three years in a row in the 10K, the longest in event in college track & field.

In addition to his athletic success, Lydon was a two-time USTFCCCA Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-AMCC selection.