We never saw this coming. This, meaning, Lane's status as one of the best runners in the country. While many of Lane's achievements are the stuff of legend, the signposts leading to such status were deeply hidden in the weeds back when Lane first laced on his running shoes.
As a basketball and baseball player, Lane's cross country intentions as a freshman were to get in shape for his main loves. He had a good 9th grade season, good enough to get a little attention as someone who might have a future in the sport. He ended up not going out for basketball, but did play frosh baseball that year, skipping a first go at track.
As a sophomore he had quietly become King's number one runner and started running times (like breaking the school record) that perhaps indicated some good things were in store should he pursue his talent. Earlier estimations of just a "decent" running career were in the process of being discredited.
It was during his junior year that Lane would rocket from "good" to, well, "incredible." What a year he had ... it had the makings of a Hollywood tale, full of drama, surprise and achievement. He went from a kid who couldn't make it out of League Finals in track as a soph, to a junior who couldn't be kept out of State ... or Nike Nationals. He missiled the year, a tower of flame lighting up the sky. It was a deafening year that ended with an All-American title in the 5000 meters.
And yet, he has remained grounded. What so many folks who know Lane will attest to, despite his stratospheric orbit (Currently ranked in the top 10 nationally and in the top 3 in California), he has not let the acclaim and high-accomplishment go to his head. He eschews attention like a bat does light. He has remained steadfastly "just one of the guys". With college coaches courting him aggressively, he has not flashed his recruiting badges like some cheap watch peddler in a trench coat. Instead, he's redoubled his efforts in the classroom; prepping for the academic load that's to come with the athletic grant. As his circle of friends has now grown to include the State's elite, he remains the consumate team player, equally motivated to see his buddies in the King jersey do just as well.
In an age of athletic self-promotion, where superstars usurp ESPN just to let the world know which team will now be paying them millions for shooting baskets; where touchdown celebrations cross the line of sportsmanship and "team spirit" is destroyed 140 twittered characters at a time, Lane has blessed us all with a grace and grit, persistence and poise, greatness and goodness. Flying high, he's still tethered to home. Of all his accomplishments, this may be his greatest legacy.
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