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An infusion of freshman runners into the South Tahoe High girls' cross country program couldn't have come at a better time.
With only three returners - albeit three of the state's best - the Vikings were beginning to resemble one of Tim Jaureguito's iron man football teams from the early 1990s.
STHS coach Dan Wilvers welcomed nine new runners into the program this summer - a necessity after completing last year's state runner-up performance with six healthy girls.
"In some ways I'm surprised that a two-time state champion and runner-up last year only has 12 girls competing," Wilvers said.
"It's, I suppose, more a reflection of the difficulty of being a runner as opposed to apathy. But I must admit I'm envious of the schools we race at the big meets that have 20 to 40 girls in their programs."
Wilvers couldn't ask for three better role models than seniors Kate Lambdin and Jordan Dalton and sophomore Kelsey Smith to bring along the program's young talent.
Smith has already compiled an impressive resume to entice elite college programs. As a freshman she was a state runner-up to world-class athlete Mel Lawrence (now a freshman at Washington), second at the Junior Olympics and 13th at the Junior Nationals.
"She's certainly more focused on being a top finisher at all the big meets," Wilvers said. "Last year was all new; this year, she digs in and competes as a veteran and that has many advantages. Even Mel hung back her freshman year and ran off her older sister."
Lambdin has been a steady force throughout her high school career, finishing sixth at state on two occasions and has been a three-time all-state performer. Dalton has been dogged by injuries the past two seasons but finished eighth at state as a freshman and came on late last season to nearly lead the Vikings past Reno for their third straight state championship.
"Kate and Kelsey are doing well in practice and I'm better than I was last year," Dalton said. "I don't think we should be counted out as a state champion."
Lambdin has remained focused on her team throughout the summer despite the loss of her family's home to the Angora fire. Her character is admired by her coach and teammates.
"With all the devastation she has endured these past two months one thing has remained a constant for her: Her character is firmly in place and, therefore, so is her running," Wilvers said.
"Kate is such a positive and nice person. She hasn't shown any anger toward it," Dalton said. "I respect her for how well she has been dealing with everything."
Lambdin's work ethic and rigorous training have her pointed toward her best season, Wilvers said.
"She wants to run at the next level and for her that means a Division 1 team and hopefully some scholarship money," Wilvers said. "D1, though, is a tremendously competitive arena these days, so she'll have to work very hard and hopefully stay healthy to the end."
The program will miss Kylie Noll, one of the team's strongest runners over the past two years. Noll, a club soccer player in her pre-teens, has become a member of the Vikings' soccer team.
"Kylie is doing something that she wants to do and running isn't something you can do if your whole heart isn't into it," Dalton said.
Added Wilvers, "Kylie is one of my all-time favorite kids and I supported her decision 100 percent."
Cheldon Rabbetts and T.J. Zaccor, the top two runners from the Tah-Neva League, however, have joined the team, giving the Vikings the minimum five high-caliber runners necessary to win championships.
"That's nothing new for this team. Freshmen have made significant contributions in all of my previous three seasons," Wilvers said. "The other seven freshman girls have worked very hard this summer, and I think we may get a few surprises out of many of them before the season's through."
The Vikings begin their season Friday under the lights (9:15) at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno. The Vikings' elite schedule includes meets at Irvine, Stanford and Los Angeles.
STHS XC schedule
Date Meet Time
Friday Rancho San Rafael 9:15 p.m.
Friday Class races at Lampe 3 p.m.
9/7 Reed 3 p.m.
9/12 Douglas 3 p.m.
9/15 Woodbridge Inv. TBA
9/18 Wooster 3 p.m.
9/21 South Tahoe Relays 3 p.m.
9/26 Manogue Inv. 3 p.m.
10/3 North Valleys 3 p.m.
10/17 Carson, Reno at STHS 3 p.m
10/19 JV Inv. at Sp. Springs 3 p.m.
10/20 Mount Sac Inv. TBA
10/25 Regionals TBA
11/03 State TBA
With only three returners - albeit three of the state's best - the Vikings were beginning to resemble one of Tim Jaureguito's iron man football teams from the early 1990s.
STHS coach Dan Wilvers welcomed nine new runners into the program this summer - a necessity after completing last year's state runner-up performance with six healthy girls.
"In some ways I'm surprised that a two-time state champion and runner-up last year only has 12 girls competing," Wilvers said.
"It's, I suppose, more a reflection of the difficulty of being a runner as opposed to apathy. But I must admit I'm envious of the schools we race at the big meets that have 20 to 40 girls in their programs."
Wilvers couldn't ask for three better role models than seniors Kate Lambdin and Jordan Dalton and sophomore Kelsey Smith to bring along the program's young talent.
Smith has already compiled an impressive resume to entice elite college programs. As a freshman she was a state runner-up to world-class athlete Mel Lawrence (now a freshman at Washington), second at the Junior Olympics and 13th at the Junior Nationals.
"She's certainly more focused on being a top finisher at all the big meets," Wilvers said. "Last year was all new; this year, she digs in and competes as a veteran and that has many advantages. Even Mel hung back her freshman year and ran off her older sister."
Lambdin has been a steady force throughout her high school career, finishing sixth at state on two occasions and has been a three-time all-state performer. Dalton has been dogged by injuries the past two seasons but finished eighth at state as a freshman and came on late last season to nearly lead the Vikings past Reno for their third straight state championship.
"Kate and Kelsey are doing well in practice and I'm better than I was last year," Dalton said. "I don't think we should be counted out as a state champion."
Lambdin has remained focused on her team throughout the summer despite the loss of her family's home to the Angora fire. Her character is admired by her coach and teammates.
"With all the devastation she has endured these past two months one thing has remained a constant for her: Her character is firmly in place and, therefore, so is her running," Wilvers said.
"Kate is such a positive and nice person. She hasn't shown any anger toward it," Dalton said. "I respect her for how well she has been dealing with everything."
Lambdin's work ethic and rigorous training have her pointed toward her best season, Wilvers said.
"She wants to run at the next level and for her that means a Division 1 team and hopefully some scholarship money," Wilvers said. "D1, though, is a tremendously competitive arena these days, so she'll have to work very hard and hopefully stay healthy to the end."
The program will miss Kylie Noll, one of the team's strongest runners over the past two years. Noll, a club soccer player in her pre-teens, has become a member of the Vikings' soccer team.
"Kylie is doing something that she wants to do and running isn't something you can do if your whole heart isn't into it," Dalton said.
Added Wilvers, "Kylie is one of my all-time favorite kids and I supported her decision 100 percent."
Cheldon Rabbetts and T.J. Zaccor, the top two runners from the Tah-Neva League, however, have joined the team, giving the Vikings the minimum five high-caliber runners necessary to win championships.
"That's nothing new for this team. Freshmen have made significant contributions in all of my previous three seasons," Wilvers said. "The other seven freshman girls have worked very hard this summer, and I think we may get a few surprises out of many of them before the season's through."
The Vikings begin their season Friday under the lights (9:15) at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno. The Vikings' elite schedule includes meets at Irvine, Stanford and Los Angeles.
STHS XC schedule
Date Meet Time
Friday Rancho San Rafael 9:15 p.m.
Friday Class races at Lampe 3 p.m.
9/7 Reed 3 p.m.
9/12 Douglas 3 p.m.
9/15 Woodbridge Inv. TBA
9/18 Wooster 3 p.m.
9/21 South Tahoe Relays 3 p.m.
9/26 Manogue Inv. 3 p.m.
10/3 North Valleys 3 p.m.
10/17 Carson, Reno at STHS 3 p.m
10/19 JV Inv. at Sp. Springs 3 p.m.
10/20 Mount Sac Inv. TBA
10/25 Regionals TBA
11/03 State TBA
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