A record-setting achiever in track, basketball and life

There’s always a story behind the names on a school record board.

Lindsay (Courtney) Taylor’s story is both tragic, and inspiring. The tragedy is the painful ending, which came far too soon 12 days ago at the age of 45, with a husband and three children at home. The inspiration is her legacy, which was presented so well at Friday’s funeral service at New Hope Church in Adel.

Pastor Gabe Parker, familiar with the kids as a teacher and coach in Adel, did a great job leading the service, which included two dedications by friends of Lindsay and husband Mike. They did a wonderful job of speaking to children Payton (18), Sawyer (15) and Maddie (11). The kids learned, from voices outside the family, the individual qualities they’ve observed in them that remind them of Lindsay. Payton presented a heartfelt tribute to her mother. That’s how Lindsay’s legacy lives on.

A whole generation of Creston young people probably only know the name Lindsay Courtney from her presence on existing school records in both track and basketball. Her accomplishments may have been overshadowed a bit by the boys state basketball championship of her senior year, 1997, but they are likewise remarkable.

Lindsay Courtney was named Creston Outstanding Female Athlete in 1997 and was one of the valedictorians in her class. She wasn’t tall, in a slight frame, but holy cow did she have a big dose of heart and determination.

She had speed, smarts and a good skill set in her sports, especially basketball and track. She and her father Ray, an assistant to head basketball coach Mike McCabe at the time, worked a lot on things like ball handling and shooting. She was a dependable free throw shooter and much of her scoring came at the line.

Terrific passer

Lindsay’s main job in basketball was as a facilitator, and she was great at it. Nearly 30 years later, she still holds the school assist records for a single game (15), single season (165) and career (300). Ironically, the three girls who are in second place in those categories come from the same type of dedicated family — Brenna Baker single game (11), Braelyn Baker single season (116) and Brielle Baker career (198).

Lindsay didn’t play on a team that scored 80 points a game, like the boys that year. But she was effective in finding her teammates and giving them opportunities.

“Lindsay was an excellent passer and had an ability to see the floor well,” McCabe said. “She kept her head up as a good ball handler and was able to find people.”

The performance that set the game record of 15 assists was like a track meet against Atlantic. In one fast break after another the Panthers were scoring layups that night, thanks to accurate passes in transition by Lindsay.

And, she did all of this despite nagging knee problems that eventually stopped her from running track at Drake University, where she earned her pharmacy degree. She had to ice that knee down after nearly every practice and competition.

Relay anchor

Track was the sport where she shined the brightest. At one time she was part of three school records, and her foursome from the 4x100 relay still holds the school mark of 51.03 performed at the state meet, where they placed fifth in the largest class. (For a short time Creston was in the 4A class in the four-class system.)

Cathy Kister, who placed third in the 100 meters that year, led off the relay. Elisa Hutchinson and Erin McKee were next, with Lindsay anchoring. Lindsay placed seventh in the 100 that year.

“Kister was great out of the blocks so we loved having her lead off and give us some momentum,” said Mike Gerleman, head girls track coach at the time and also head coach of the state champion boys basketball team. “Hutchinson and McKee were good, fast kids and we knew when we got the baton to Lindsay that she would bust that final 100. She was an awesome competitor.”

Her freshman track season began during a stretch of bad weather, so there had not been any outdoor time trials before the first meet in Osceola. A slender little blonde-haired freshman quickly caught the attention of Gerleman and assistant Chuck Eilers.

“We put Lindsay in the 100 and 200 that night and she won both races in flying fashion,” Gerleman said. “I looked at Chuck and said we should have put her in the sprint medley! You can be sure that was the last time we didn’t have Lindsay Courtney in three races.”

Lindsay’s passing hit her coaches hard, because of their familiarity with the family and how special she was as a hard-working team member. Gerleman’s oldest son Brian was a classmate of Lindsay’s brother Tyler, who lives in the Norwalk area.

Gerleman knew that Lindsay had been suffering for more than a decade from an unusual neurological disorder that gave her intense migraine headaches, often requiring her to be in a dark, quiet room, as well as problems in food digestion and processing of nutrients. She lost considerable weight in her final weeks.

“Why would such a great human have to deal with this type of thing for 10 years?” Gerleman said. “She and Mike went to school together, they come from great Creston families. It just doesn’t seem fair. I’ll tell you what, if you ever think you have it rough, think of this gal, and that will stop it right there.”

Some of Lindsay’s former teammates wrote touching messages on the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home online posting of Lindsay’s obituary and funeral arrangements.

“She was the best teammate a person could ask for — always focused on the task at hand with just enough silliness to keep us loose at the starting line,” wrote Sarah (Vicker) Miller.

“Lindsay was always there to cheer others on and she just made you want to push yourself better in the classroom and on the track and court,” said Casee (Piel) Veren. “I loved keeping up with her family as she always proudly posted pictures of their success.”

Lindsay wasn’t one of those parents shouting at the officials, or trying to coach from the stands, because she often had to miss those special moments because of her illness. She was the family hero behind the scenes. Ray and Bev moved there from Creston about a dozen years ago to help with the kids. Lindsay had to give up her ownership share of Medicap pharmacies in the area after building a successful career.

Lindsay’s casket was adorned Friday with a quilt that included several memories of state track and the Drake Relays, which she loved to attend even after graduating. There was also a relay baton. When son Sawyer kept it near the end of the service, it symbolized the family running the remaining legs of life’s race.

This time, she was the leadoff leg. And a great one.

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Email: malachy.lp@gmail.com

X: @larrypeterson