Lyons is one of the most decorated female distance runners in Missouri Southern history. She is one of just two women in Southern history to qualify for the NCAA Championship in each sport in the same season (Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track), doing so in 2001-02.

A two-time All-American, she placed third in the indoor mile in 2002, while placing fifth in the 3k in the 2002 outdoor championships. She was the MIAA Champion in the 1,500m run, while holding the MSSU school record in the indoor mile, 3k and 1k, as well as the outdoor 1,500m.

She was a three-time MIAA Champion in the mile, 3k and 1,500m, while earning the cross country Lionbacker Award of Excellence in 2001 and the track and field MVP in 2002. She was named the MSSU Female Athlete of the Year in 2002.

A three-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll member, she was named the Missouri Southern Outstanding Graduate in 2002, earning a degree in accounting and graduating Magna Cum Laude.

An accountant living in suburban St. Louis, Lyons is married to fellow Hall of Fame inductee Brian Lyons. The couple has three children, Lillian, Lukas and Lincoln.