Dahlberg won the mile (5:21), and ran a strong anchor leg in the 4x400 relay. Skeete took the 55-meter hurdles (9.57), while Mary Cronin was second in the double dual in 10.65 and Karmerry Keo was third in 10.68. Candace Bailey won the long jump at 15 feet, 3 inches and won the dash in 7.66 seconds, while Diana Braver won the 1,000 (3:16.8) and the high jump at 4-11 (a 2-inch PR).

 

Julia Frieze led a sweep of the 600 in 1:45.70, Elisabeth Jeyaraj won the shot put at 31-3, Danielle Pensack won the 300 in 45.3, and Nina Slote won the 2-mile in 11:59.6. Sonya Freeman ran a nine-second PR in the 2-mile for second in 12:18 behind Slote, who went under 12 minutes for the first time. Sally Kriemendahl’s late kick earned the Lions the sweep in that event.

 

James Vance led a sweep in the 2-mile with Andrew Wortham and Ben Finch following. Joe Treff won the shot put (44-4 1/2), while Isaiah Quinones was second and Charles Li was third. Justin Albert ran the second-best 600 in the DCL, and was only four-tenths of a second off the DCL lead. Sasha Long ran a three-second PR to give the Lions a crucial 1-2 against perennial powerhouse Wayland in the event.

 

South also swept the 1,000 with Will Cha first, David Plotkin second and Cameron Fen third. Sam Donovan then dominated the mile in the fourth-fastest time in state early in the season. John Beck had a second against Wayland.

 

Freshman Ross MacDonald won the long jump with a DCL-leading 19-11. Tom Iancovovici and Gerald Arneaud followed in second and third for another event sweep.

Brad Pruente ran a fine hurdles race for second behind the defending DCL champ in 8.89 seconds.

Reprinted from The Daily News Tribune  January 2007

 

 

 

Girls Track
South 81, C-C 64
South 124, Bedford 19

In a meet that had coach Steve McChesney nervous about his team's chances, South overcame illness and injuries to edge out a strong Concord-Carlisle squad, 81-64, while cruising past Bedford 124-19.

The Lions had 15 individuals qualify for the state meet as well as both relays in starting the dual-meet season 2-0. The distance and throws crews combined to outscore C-C, 58-10, spurring South to the win.

Bridget Dahlberg won her event (mile, 5:07.2), while qualifying for the state meet. Diana Braver did the same, winning the 800 (2:32.3), while Elisabeth Jeyaraj (shot put, 31-6), Hillary Bloom (discus, 77-7), Nalis Mbianda (javelin, 107-3), freshman Pebbles Banks (100, 13.1), Kelsey Karys (2-mile, 11:49.3), Candace Bailey (triple jump, 30-4), and the 4x400 of Julia Frieze, Juliet Ryan-Davis, Madeline Reed and Dahlberg (4:21.9) also pulled that double.

Also qualifying for states: Braver (2nd in the 400, 61.3; 2nd in the high jump, 4-10), Bailey (3rd, 200, 27.1), Karys (2nd, mile, 5:33.9), Hannah Westbrook (2nd, 2-mile, 11:58.6), the 4x100 relay of Banks, Azeezah Gray, Elizabeth Ellis, and Bailey (2nd, 51.9), Frieze (3rd, 400, 63.7), Reed (3rd, mile, 5:39.6), Melanie Fineman (3rd, 2-mile, 12:05.8), Ellis (200, 27.8) and Sonya Freeman (2-mile, 12:24.0).

Boys Track
South 100, C-C 45
South 119, Bedford 26

Senor captain Brad Pruente headlined a South rout of both C-C and Bedford, winning the 300 hurdles (42.1), 110 hurdles (15.5) and high jump (6-0), qualifying for the state meet in all three events to lead the Lions to a 2-0 start.

Senior Sam Donovan paced a sweep of the 2-mile (SQ 10:00) finishing in front of sophomores Andrew Wortham and Cameron Fenn, both of whom also made states. Sophomore Senyo Agawu also won his event and qualified for states in the (200, 23.1) as did junior Gerald Arneaud (400, 51.3), sophomore John Beck (mile, 4:41), James Huth (100, 11.3), junior Roy Ribitsky (pole vault, 11-6) and Boye Akinwande (triple jump, 42-0).

The 4x100 `A' and `B' relays also qualified for states as the `A' team of Agawu, Arneaud, Akinwande and Huth did so in a winning time of 45.0, while the 'B' quartet of senior Tom Iancovici, junior Georgie Kupozykh, Dave Frankel and Kwame Francis-John clocked a 46.2.

Senior Brian Tran (2nd, 110 hurdles, 16.7) also made the state cut as did Arneaud in the triple jump (40-8), while sophomore Ben Finch won the 800 (2:06), freshman Ross McDonald won the long jump and placed second in the pole vault (10-0). Senior captain Joe Treff finished second in the shot put (42-3«) in spite of a fractured right hand, while classmates James Vance (mile, 4:45) and Tom Iancovici and both placed second.

Reprinted from The Daily News Tribune April 12, 2007

 

GIRLS TRACK
Coach: Steven McChesney (19th year, 95-29)
Last Year's Record: 7-1 Dual County League record; 2nd in DCL regular-season standings, 3rd at DCL Championship Meet; 2nd Division I State Championship; 5th in All State Championship. Photo by Sean Jacquet/Daily News staff

Newton South sophomore Bridget Dahlberg has already earned an All-State mile record, an All-American nod and two Daily News Tribune Runner of the Year honors in her first three seasons of running high school track.

 

By Sean Jacquet/Daily News staff

GateHouse Media

Fri Apr 20, 2007, 03:14 AM EDT

 

 

 

If you're taking a picture of Bridget Dahlberg, it seems only appropriate to have her stand in front of the trophy case.

The sprawling display of Newton South's proudest athletic accomplishments serves as a fitting backdrop for the Lion sophomore, who after only three seasons burning up the track has 18-year coach Steve McChesney saying his protege might be ``the best I've ever coached.'' The 2007 Daily News Tribune Indoor Track Runner of the Year poses for the photo, but not before she runs to the locker room to change out of her practice gear and into some normal clothes.

In many respects, she's just like any typical high school sophomore, fidgeting during a sit-down interview, blushing at references to her myriad school, league and state records, expressing embarrassment when friends passing by call out ``Heeeeyyy Bridget'' as she answers questions, and joking around during practice. By all accounts, she's humble, down-to-earth, and embarrassed by the attention accompanying her prodigious talents - McChesney calls her personality ``effervescent'' - suffering no arrogance, sense of entitlement or any other residual effects sometimes accompanying the considerable gifts of elite athletes. But to describe South's latest - and when all is said and done, perhaps ``greatest'' - elite runner as ``normal'' would be doing her staggering accomplishments a grave disservice.

We've been here before with Dahlberg, having recognized her enormous potential in bestowing her the Tribune's top honor last spring as a freshman. And given the strides taken this winter and the accounts of those who know her best, we'll soon be here again.

In the storied history of Lion track, Dahlberg has already established herself as an all-time great. Following a promising rookie season last winter, she served notice to the state's top distance runners in the spring, signaling her arrival among the best by winning the Class A mile title while anchoring the All-State 4x800 relay championship team. This winter, Dahlberg, in McChesney's words, produced a ``season for the decades,'' winning the All-State mile title, setting the meet record (4 minutes, 52.11 seconds) in the process. Two weeks later, she posted her personal record (4:51) to earn All-America honors after placing fourth at the National Indoor Scholastic Meet at the Armory Track in New York City in March.

She again anchored the 4x800 team - McChesney says ``she's been the best anchor in the state for the past two seasons'' - that placed second at the Class A Meet, beating the previous meet record despite finishing behind Newton North. The relay was then third at All-States behind Lincoln-Sudbury and North.

``We all have a pretty good idea what would happen if Bridget could take the baton within a couple of seconds of any team,'' says McChesney.

But what is most enticing about Dahlberg remains her potential. Already regarded as a Division I college prospect, Dahlberg has displayed a versatility that will only make her even more attractive to college recruiters. She ran the fastest 1,000 time and fifth fastest 2-mile time in the state this winter - showings that, combined with excellent outings in time trials for the 3-mile and 5,000, would automatically make her a state title contender in cross country.

McChesney, who's guided four All-State champions between cross country and track in seven years at South Eugene, Ore. and 18 at South, confesses to being ``taken aback'' by Dahlberg's remarkably quick ascendance. Only once has McChesney coached an athlete who's run times similar. But that girl was a senior at the time.

``I've never had anybody this advanced as a sophomore,'' admits McChesney.

All of which hints at a stellar college career in the future, although Dahlberg claims she hasn't ``really thought about it (a Division 1 scholarship) much.'' Still, that looming reality has caused Dahlberg to, however briefly, consider giving up soccer in the fall and join the cross country team. Dahlberg understands that the year-round commitment would shave precious seconds off her 2-mile and 5,000 times, heightening her already considerable value, but she confesses that she might not be ready to commit to specialization and give up a sport that she's loved since childhood.

``It's (soccer) a nice break,'' she says. ``I've played soccer forever, like everybody in Newton has. I love it. I've thought about it (switching to XC), but I think I'm sticking with soccer.

``I try not to put too much pressure on myself and I think soccer might help. I'm not sure because I've never done cross country, but it gives me a nice break. It's kind of a pain to work up to where everybody else is, but I manage.''

To characterize what Dahlberg has done to this point as ``managing'' is a classic understatement, though that falls in line with her personality. When informed that she'd broke the five-year-old mile record of Ari Lambie, now running at Stanford, Dahlberg had no idea that she'd broken the record nor who Lambie was. Her exact words: ``Oh, that's nice.''

``She's a special athlete, she's the total package,'' praises McChesney. ``She handles pressure well and she's so secure for a sophomore. She's very down-to-earth and she embraces the team approach. She'll do whatever we ask of her for the team to win. She takes all her success in stride. I think the only thing that equals her talent is her humility. She's so humble and, I think, a little embarrassed by all the attention.''

Perhaps, but she'd better get use to it if she continues winning. And perhaps the only thing less desirable than all the pub is not winning. A quick anecdote to illustrate. Poised to win her second Class A title, Dahlberg charged out on a suicide pace in the mile, instead of hanging back and using her trademark kick to leave opponents in the dust during the later stages of a race. After falling behind Newton North's Jess Barton - herself a four-time Tribune Runner of the Year - Dahlberg ran most of the race in the second lane attempting to catch up. In the end, the savvy veteran held off the phenom as Barton ran ``the perfect race,'' and Dahlberg placed third.

Said McChesney a week later: ``that was a goofy race.''

``I wasn't really feeling myself that day,'' says Dahlberg. ``I was ultra-nervous. I was really tense and I didn't follow the race plan well. I wasn't relaxing. Plus Jess (Barton, the four-time Runner of Year from crosstown Newton North) ran really well. I was supposed to sit and kick, and I was just bombarding her. I was nervous and running in Lane 2. I just wasn't doing what I should've.

``But it was such a big difference the next week.''

To say the least. Humbled by the loss, the botched strategy and the knowledge that she'd been out-maneuvered by Barton, Dahlberg stuck to the race plan, staying back until the last 300 meters before turning on the jets and cruising to a then-personal record and new meet record (4:52.11), edging Lambie's previous mark by .05 of a second.

As much of a letdown as it was at the time, Dahlberg used the Class A race as motivation, a lesson for what she needed to win the following week. First, she realized she needed to follow the race plan as deftly as Barton had. Her deviation had cost her the Class A race. Second, she learned she had to use her most important gift: her kick.

``I realized I can rely on it (my kick),'' says Dahlberg. ``At All-State, I got to follow and not do much of the work and then take off the last 300 meters, which made it so much easier.

``Steve gives nice race plans because whenever I try to make my own, I don't do well at adapting,'' she admitted. ``It helps me concentrate on the race so I know what I have to do and so I know what I'm going to do if something occurs. So it is not like I get freaked out or it throws me for a loop if something happens. For me the mile, I want to sit and kick.''

The Class A hiccup proved to be just. At Nationals in early March, Dahlberg sliced another second off her time, completing her two-year journey from middle schooler to high school All-American.

``I was nervous, but I realized I belonged there,'' says Dahlberg. ``I wasn't as nervous as I was for States or All-States. I just wanted to make my season better. I just tried to do as well as I could. I wanted to place and it was great to do that.''

Dahlberg has more ``greatness'' in mind and, to that end, McChesney has her working with the South boys, a symbiotic relationship that has already started to pay dividends. With each pushing each other in workouts and extracting the best from one another, all have knocked seconds off their already impressive times.

``It (training with the Lion boys) started at the end of last year,'' says Dahlberg. ``At first, it was a couple of workouts and now I'm doing a lot with the guys. It's a little different. Sometimes, I'm in the back and sometimes I'm right in there with the group. It makes a difference, it feels more like a race as opposed to other times when I'm not running with them.''

Graduation Losses Ayelet Brinn, Liz Brown, Emma Burrows, Ariella Cohen, Anja Hergrueter, Megan Hughes, Rebecca Jeyaraj, Jenny Salerno
Returning varsity: seniors: Molly Gardner (captain), Emma Kroschell (captain), Amanda Cheung, Melissa Forrow, Ann Norris, Alana O'Brien, Rachel Rothendler, Emma Rudie, Abbey Steffens; juniors: Candace Bailey, Hillary Bloom, Kathleen Captstick, Nicole Chan, Zoe Demple, Kathryn Ellis, Elizabeth Ellis, Sonya Freeman, Julia Frieze, Azeezah Gray, Elisabeth Jeyaraj, Iris Mansour, Sanchali Pal, Nina Slote, Hannah Westbrook; sophomores: Ayala Cohen, Bridget Dahlberg, Kelsey Karys, Nalis Mbianda, Claire O'Brien, Juliet Ryan-Davis.
Key newcomers: seniors: Sally Kreimandahl; juniors: Chloe Pletner; sophomores: Emily Epstein; freshmen: Pebbles Banks, Mary Kate Cronin, Melanie Fineman, Kayla Jackson, Christie Lee, Amrita Rao, Madeleine Reed, Katherine Sandson, Cora Visnick, Madison Willert.
Season outlook: The outlook never seems to change at South, where the goals are always include four titles: the Dual County League regular season, DCL Championship Meet, Division 1 and All-State Meet. The Lions fell just shy of all four thanks to their membership in the loaded DCL - Lincoln-Sudbury, Acton-Boxboro and South finished 1-2-3 at the Division 1 Indoor Meet this winter - which includes defending Indoor Division 1 and All-State champ L-S as well as Acton-Boxboro. McChesney also watched National Indoor high jump runner-up and 2006 Tribune Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Anja Hergueter (now at Brown University) graduate, but most of last year's team returns in addition to a host of others (150 kids will participate in the program this year). Last year's 5th-place finish at All-States was something of a disappointment, but McChesney has his sight set higher this season, saying ``this could be a a very special season.'' At this point, South certainly has the elite performers to compete at the state level, particularly with a stacked distance crew - 15 girls are likely to qualify for states in the mile - but still must build sufficient depth to topple L-S and A-B in dual meet competition. Says McChesney: ``Our challenge as a team then is to create the depth to win big dual meets while creating the top quality performers to win at the state level. We came really close in the indoor season and we add some new talent.'' South returns 24 state qualifiers - at least one in every event - and 15 have made the cut already. Reigning Outdoor Track Runner of the Year Bridget Dahlberg is fresh off an All-State title and All-America designation after placing fourth at Nationals in the mile (4:51) and ran the best 800 leg in the state for South's 4x800 team, which placed second at D1s and All-States this winter. Kelsey Karys, Emma Rudie, Juliet Ryan-Davis bolster South's distance corps, while freshman Melanie Fineman has broken 12:00 in the 2-mile. Classmate Madeline Reed has also shown flashes of elite talent and could be South's fifth girl to crack 12:00, which would be a program record. Candace Bailey is the Lions' top sprinter and long jumper, while Diana Braver anchors the high jump, middle distances and is the lead leg of the 4x800 relay. Newcomer Emily Epstein has lent some spark to the resurgent pole vault, an area in which the Lions had lost points in past years. Elisabeth Jeyaraj (shot put) and Nalis Mbianda (javelin) have already made states in the throws, while Hillary Bloom (discus) has shown ``a great deal of promise.'' The relays could also be ``top notch'' as the 4 x 400 of Julia Frieze, Ryan-Davis, Reed and Dahlberg (4:21.9) qualified for states, as did the 4 x 100 quartet of Pebbles Banks, Azeezah Gray, Elizabeth Ellis, and Bailey.
Coach McChesney: ``Our may goal is to teach or system and let the girls have a lot of fun being a highly successful team. Wins will come because this team embraces the team approach that we teach and because we are pretty have so much depth.''
Next Meet: Wednesday, April 25 vs. L-S and Westford Academy (4 p.m.).

BOYS TRACK
Coach: Matt Capstick (2nd year)
Last year's record:
Graduation Losses Brenden Olson, Kelton Finch, Jared Pierce
Returning varsity: seniors: Brad Pruente, Dave Plotkin, Sam Donovan (captain), Joe Treff (captain), Tom Iancovici, Boye Akinwande, Victor Rosario, Brian Tran, James Vance, Dave Frankel, Justin Albert; juniors: James Huth, Roy Ribitsky, Cliff Bargar, Georgie Kupozykh; sophomores: Ben Finch, John Beck, Alex Long, Will Cha, Andrew Wortham, Senyo Agawu
Key newcomers: freshman: Kwame Francis-John, Ross McDonald
Season outlook: After a first meet rout of Bedford (119-26) and Concord-Carlisle (100-45) Wednesday, there are plenty of reasons for Capstick to be excited, not the least of which is the fact that 16 athletes have already made the state cut. After finishing seventh at Nationals in the pentathlon, senior captain Brad Pruente qualified in the 300 hurdles, 110 hurdles and high jump Wednesday, while classmate Sam Donovan led a sweep of the 2-mile (SQ 10:00) finishing in front of sophomores Andrew Wortham and Cameron Fenn, both of whom also made states. Sophomore John Beck made states in the mile (4:41), while James Vance, the 2006 Tribune Cross-Country Runner of the Year, is only four seconds behind. Junior James Huth is the Lions' top 100 runner, while sophomore Senyo Agawu is the best in the 200 and junior Gerald Arneaud anchors the 400. Junior Roy Ribitsky mans the pole vault and senior Boye Akinwande leads the triple jump. South also has excellent depth in the 4x100 relay as both the 'A' and 'B' teams have qualified for states. The 'A' team of Agawu, Arneaud, Akinwande and Huth ran a 45.0 Wednesday and the 'B' quartet of senior Tom Iancovici, junior Georgie Kupozykh, Dave Frankel and freshman Kwame Francis-John clocked a 46.2. Senior Brian Tran (110 hurdles) and Arneaud (triple jump) also made the state cut, while sophomore Ben Finch runs the 800, freshman Ross McDonald competes in the the long jump and pole vault and senior captain Joe Treff tosses the shot put. Though the Lions don't have the same contingent of top-shelf competitors as their female counterparts, Capstick's crew has great balance and depth, which should bode well in Dual County League dual-meet competition. Lincoln-Sudbury is the early title favorite with South the strongest challenger.
Coach Capstick: ``Across the board, this is the most well-balanced team I've had. We have a solid No. 1 in every event.''
Next Meet: Wednesday April 25 vs. L-S and Westford Academy (4 p.m.).

Reprinted from The Daily News Tribune April 13,2007

 

Girls Runner of the Year: Dahlberg had mile high winter

 

In addition to working out with the boys, Dahlberg hits the weight room every Tuesday and Friday to do core training and light lifting to strengthen the arms with an eye toward adding another Class A and All-State title in the mile. And maybe the 800.

``I would like to get 4:49,'' says Dahlberg of her goals going forward. ``I also got 2:14 in the 800 last year and I'd like to do that or better and I'd like to break 11:00 in the 2-mile. I've gotten pretty close at 11:04.''

But when asked if she thinks she has a chance to break the state's all-time record, Dahlberg wouldn't take the bait.

``I don't know,'' she says smiling. ``I'm just looking forward to this season.''

So are we.

 

Girls Runner of the Year: Dahlberg had mile high winter

 

Photo by Sean Jacquet/Daily News staff

Newton South sophomore Bridget Dahlberg has already earned an All-State mile record, an All-American nod and two Daily News Tribune Runner of the Year honors in her first three seasons of running high school track.

 

By Sean Jacquet/Daily News staff

GateHouse Media

Fri Apr 20, 2007, 03:14 AM EDT

 

 

 

If you're taking a picture of Bridget Dahlberg, it seems only appropriate to have her stand in front of the trophy case.

The sprawling display of Newton South's proudest athletic accomplishments serves as a fitting backdrop for the Lion sophomore, who after only three seasons burning up the track has 18-year coach Steve McChesney saying his protege might be ``the best I've ever coached.'' The 2007 Daily News Tribune Indoor Track Runner of the Year poses for the photo, but not before she runs to the locker room to change out of her practice gear and into some normal clothes.

In many respects, she's just like any typical high school sophomore, fidgeting during a sit-down interview, blushing at references to her myriad school, league and state records, expressing embarrassment when friends passing by call out ``Heeeeyyy Bridget'' as she answers questions, and joking around during practice. By all accounts, she's humble, down-to-earth, and embarrassed by the attention accompanying her prodigious talents - McChesney calls her personality ``effervescent'' - suffering no arrogance, sense of entitlement or any other residual effects sometimes accompanying the considerable gifts of elite athletes. But to describe South's latest - and when all is said and done, perhaps ``greatest'' - elite runner as ``normal'' would be doing her staggering accomplishments a grave disservice.

We've been here before with Dahlberg, having recognized her enormous potential in bestowing her the Tribune's top honor last spring as a freshman. And given the strides taken this winter and the accounts of those who know her best, we'll soon be here again.

In the storied history of Lion track, Dahlberg has already established herself as an all-time great. Following a promising rookie season last winter, she served notice to the state's top distance runners in the spring, signaling her arrival among the best by winning the Class A mile title while anchoring the All-State 4x800 relay championship team. This winter, Dahlberg, in McChesney's words, produced a ``season for the decades,'' winning the All-State mile title, setting the meet record (4 minutes, 52.11 seconds) in the process. Two weeks later, she posted her personal record (4:51) to earn All-America honors after placing fourth at the National Indoor Scholastic Meet at the Armory Track in New York City in March.

She again anchored the 4x800 team - McChesney says ``she's been the best anchor in the state for the past two seasons'' - that placed second at the Class A Meet, beating the previous meet record despite finishing behind Newton North. The relay was then third at All-States behind Lincoln-Sudbury and North.

``We all have a pretty good idea what would happen if Bridget could take the baton within a couple of seconds of any team,'' says McChesney.

But what is most enticing about Dahlberg remains her potential. Already regarded as a Division I college prospect, Dahlberg has displayed a versatility that will only make her even more attractive to college recruiters. She ran the fastest 1,000 time and fifth fastest 2-mile time in the state this winter - showings that, combined with excellent outings in time trials for the 3-mile and 5,000, would automatically make her a state title contender in cross country.

McChesney, who's guided four All-State champions between cross country and track in seven years at South Eugene, Ore. and 18 at South, confesses to being ``taken aback'' by Dahlberg's remarkably quick ascendance. Only once has McChesney coached an athlete who's run times similar. But that girl was a senior at the time.

``I've never had anybody this advanced as a sophomore,'' admits McChesney.

All of which hints at a stellar college career in the future, although Dahlberg claims she hasn't ``really thought about it (a Division 1 scholarship) much.'' Still, that looming reality has caused Dahlberg to, however briefly, consider giving up soccer in the fall and join the cross country team. Dahlberg understands that the year-round commitment would shave precious seconds off her 2-mile and 5,000 times, heightening her already considerable value, but she confesses that she might not be ready to commit to specialization and give up a sport that she's loved since childhood.

``It's (soccer) a nice break,'' she says. ``I've played soccer forever, like everybody in Newton has. I love it. I've thought about it (switching to XC), but I think I'm sticking with soccer.

``I try not to put too much pressure on myself and I think soccer might help. I'm not sure because I've never done cross country, but it gives me a nice break. It's kind of a pain to work up to where everybody else is, but I manage.''

To characterize what Dahlberg has done to this point as ``managing'' is a classic understatement, though that falls in line with her personality. When informed that she'd broke the five-year-old mile record of Ari Lambie, now running at Stanford, Dahlberg had no idea that she'd broken the record nor who Lambie was. Her exact words: ``Oh, that's nice.''

``She's a special athlete, she's the total package,'' praises McChesney. ``She handles pressure well and she's so secure for a sophomore. She's very down-to-earth and she embraces the team approach. She'll do whatever we ask of her for the team to win. She takes all her success in stride. I think the only thing that equals her talent is her humility. She's so humble and, I think, a little embarrassed by all the attention.''

Perhaps, but she'd better get use to it if she continues winning. And perhaps the only thing less desirable than all the pub is not winning. A quick anecdote to illustrate. Poised to win her second Class A title, Dahlberg charged out on a suicide pace in the mile, instead of hanging back and using her trademark kick to leave opponents in the dust during the later stages of a race. After falling behind Newton North's Jess Barton - herself a four-time Tribune Runner of the Year - Dahlberg ran most of the race in the second lane attempting to catch up. In the end, the savvy veteran held off the phenom as Barton ran ``the perfect race,'' and Dahlberg placed third.

Said McChesney a week later: ``that was a goofy race.''

``I wasn't really feeling myself that day,'' says Dahlberg. ``I was ultra-nervous. I was really tense and I didn't follow the race plan well. I wasn't relaxing. Plus Jess (Barton, the four-time Runner of Year from crosstown Newton North) ran really well. I was supposed to sit and kick, and I was just bombarding her. I was nervous and running in Lane 2. I just wasn't doing what I should've.

``But it was such a big difference the next week.''

To say the least. Humbled by the loss, the botched strategy and the knowledge that she'd been out-maneuvered by Barton, Dahlberg stuck to the race plan, staying back until the last 300 meters before turning on the jets and cruising to a then-personal record and new meet record (4:52.11), edging Lambie's previous mark by .05 of a second.

As much of a letdown as it was at the time, Dahlberg used the Class A race as motivation, a lesson for what she needed to win the following week. First, she realized she needed to follow the race plan as deftly as Barton had. Her deviation had cost her the Class A race. Second, she learned she had to use her most important gift: her kick.

``I realized I can rely on it (my kick),'' says Dahlberg. ``At All-State, I got to follow and not do much of the work and then take off the last 300 meters, which made it so much easier.

``Steve gives nice race plans because whenever I try to make my own, I don't do well at adapting,'' she admitted. ``It helps me concentrate on the race so I know what I have to do and so I know what I'm going to do if something occurs. So it is not like I get freaked out or it throws me for a loop if something happens. For me the mile, I want to sit and kick.''

The Class A hiccup proved to be just. At Nationals in early March, Dahlberg sliced another second off her time, completing her two-year journey from middle schooler to high school All-American.

``I was nervous, but I realized I belonged there,'' says Dahlberg. ``I wasn't as nervous as I was for States or All-States. I just wanted to make my season better. I just tried to do as well as I could. I wanted to place and it was great to do that.''

Dahlberg has more ``greatness'' in mind and, to that end, McChesney has her working with the South boys, a symbiotic relationship that has already started to pay dividends. With each pushing each other in workouts and extracting the best from one another, all have knocked seconds off their already impressive times.

``It (training with the Lion boys) started at the end of last year,'' says Dahlberg. ``At first, it was a couple of workouts and now I'm doing a lot with the guys. It's a little different. Sometimes, I'm in the back and sometimes I'm right in there with the group. It makes a difference, it feels more like a race as opposed to other times when I'm not running with them.''

In addition to working out with the boys, Dahlberg hits the weight room every Tuesday and Friday to do core training and light lifting to strengthen the arms with an eye toward adding another Class A and All-State title in the mile. And maybe the 800.

``I would like to get 4:49,'' says Dahlberg of her goals going forward. ``I also got 2:14 in the 800 last year and I'd like to do that or better and I'd like to break 11:00 in the 2-mile. I've gotten pretty close at 11:04.''

But when asked if she thinks she has a chance to break the state's all-time record, Dahlberg wouldn't take the bait.

``I don't know,'' she says smiling. ``I'm just looking forward to this season.''

So are we.

Reprinted from The Daily News Tribune April 20, 2007