FOOTBALL
1991 Season
As a freshman, he was used sparingly on the varsity squad on special teams. He returned a kickoff 17 yards against Lynden Christian, and made his first tackle against Meridian in the final game of the season. The Pioneers finished with a 6-3 record, including a 14-13 victory over Lynden who would then go on to win the state championship, but finished third in the Whatcom County League and therefore were eliminated from the state playoffs.
1992 Season
As a sophomore, he was inserted into the starting lineup on both sides of the ball, and his impact was immediately felt. So immediate that on the first play from scrimmage in week one he took a counter 80 yards for a touchdown against Meridian. The Trojans went on to win the game 35-14, but it was evident that a great football career was about to unfold as Lentz totaled 127 of the Pioneers’ 219 total yards from scrimmage that game.
Lentz got into the end zone again the following week against Lynden Christian, but was sidelined with an injury in the week three game against Blaine, which the Borderites won 27-0. He returned the following week and led his team in rushing against Ephrata, but Nooksack Valley was still looking for it’s first victory of the season. It finally happened the next week against Friday Harbor, 27-7, and Lentz contributed with five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Two weeks later the Pioneers were narrowly defeated by Mount Baker, 20-18, and in the contest a long touchdown by Lentz was called back due to a block in the back. Lentz ran for 53 yards and a touchdown in the final game of the season against Lynden Christian, but Nooksack Valley finished the year with a 1-8 record.
Lentz finished the season leading the team in passes defended. He was second on the team in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, kick return yards and scoring, and he was third on the team in receiving yards, interceptions, tackles and tackles for loss.
1992 OFFENSIVE STATISTICS
1992 DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
1993 Season
As a junior, he took the Whatcom County League by storm. In week one he scooped up a fumble early in the contest and took it 49 yards for a touchdown against defending state champion Eatonville. He scored again in the second quarter on a six yard carry, and the Pioneers went into halftime tied at 13 with the Cruisers. Eatonville’s halftime adjustments allowed for a 36-13 win over Nooksack Valley, despite Lentz’s 125 yards rushing.
Lentz ran for 149 yards and four touchdowns the following week on the road against King’s, but ultimately lost 41-40 in overtime when the Pioneers were stopped on a two-point conversion.
It was a career-night for Lentz in week three at home against Blaine in a 35-14 victory. He rushed for 203 yards in the first half and then put the finishing touches on the Borderites’ comeback attempt with a 41-yard touchdown run with 6:18 remaining in the game. He finished with a school-record 296 yards rushing on 30 carries, which still stands today.
It was a rough game for Lentz and his teammates the following week when they traveled to Lynden Christian. He was held to a season-low 50 yards rushing on 17 carries, mostly because of an injury he suffered in the second quarter that sidelined him for most of the game. He also had 7.5 tackles and an interception, but the Lyncs won 14-7. LC finished the regular season undefeated and went on to play for the state championship that season.
Lentz ran for 100 yards, and scored two of his team’s three touchdowns the following week at home against Cedarcrest, but ultimately lost 42-20, which brought their overall record down to 1-4. The Pioneers would likely need to run the table the rest of the season in order to have a chance to play in the state playoffs.
In a must-win game, Lentz ran for 173 yards and three touchdowns on the road against Concrete in a 23-14 win. In addition to his big offensive night he also sacked the Lions quarterback in the end zone late in the contest to pick up a safety, which gave Nooksack Valley a nine-point advantage.
The following week was a heart-breaker for the Pioneers as Mount Baker came to town and squeezed out a 14-13 win over Nooksack Valley. Lentz had a big first half, rushing for 106 yards, but was held to just 20 yards on his final 10 carries which included a pair of fourth-and-short opportunities that were stopped short. However, he did surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the season during the game.
Lentz finished the season with enormous offensive outputs against Friday Harbor (219 yards and four touchdowns) and Meridian (208 yards and four touchdowns), but the Pioneers narrowly missed a chance to play in the postseason, as they finished with a 4-5 record.
He finished the season leading the entire county in every rushing category, and was named All-League 1st Team at both running back and linebacker. The Bellingham Herald also named him the WCL Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and he was also named All-State 1st Team running back by the Associated Press. It was just the third time in Whatcom County history that a running back was named All-State 1st Team (Donny Finkbonner in 1985, and Jeff Smits in 1987), and it was the first time in Whatcom County history for an underclassman to accomplish that feat as a running back.
Despite dominating on the offensive side of the ball, he also led his team in tackles and fumble recoveries.
1993 OFFENSIVE STATISTICS
1993 DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
1994 Season
His senior season was more of the same dominance. In week one he scored on a late 63-yard touchdown run, and finished with 182 yards on 30 carries against Eatonville, but the powerful Cruisers won 35-14.
Lentz ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns the following week at against King’s in a 42-12 victory to even the Pioneers’ record at 1-1.
The Pioneers then turned the ball over eight times and dropped their league opener on the road against Blaine, 12-0. Lentz gained 99 yards rushing, but the Pioneers totaled just 135 yards from scrimmage. It was the only game all season that Lentz didn’t find the end zone.
In the following week, Nooksack Valley broke a 10-year losing streak to Lynden Christian by beating the Lyncs 28-14 at home. Lentz ran for 133 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He also forced a fumble in the game.
A late Cedarcrest touchdown gave the Red Wolves a 25-21 win over the Pioneers in week five. During the contest, Lentz ran for 170 yards on 29 carries, and scored all three of Nooksack Valley’s touchdowns.
Lentz scored three touchdowns for the second game in a row, this time in a 48-7 league victory over Concrete. He also played a huge part in the defense holding the Lions to just six yards rushing.
In a battle between the two top teams in the Whatcom County League, the Mountaineers bested the Pioneers for the third year in a row. Lentz finished with 85 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while also racking up seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass deflection.
The Pioneers took out their frustration at Friday Harbor the following week, and shut out the Wolverines 21-0. Lentz dominated on both sides of the ball once again, this time with 196 yards rushing and two touchdowns, along with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and an interception in which he returned 27 yards.
Needing a victory in order to secure a “play-in” game, the Pioneers put it on Meridian 39-13, with Lentz scoring five of his team’s six touchdowns. He also ran for 243 yards on just 22 carries. He also had another big night on defense with 9.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass knocked down. Nooksack Valley was now one victory away from reaching the state playoffs for the first time in the decade.
However, the following Tuesday at Civic Stadium, it wasn’t in the cards for the Pioneers as the powerful Steilacoom Sentinels who rolled up 380 yards on the ground with their speedy backs. Lentz scored the first touchdown of the game on a 65-yard run, but managed just nine more yards the rest of the game as the opposition keyed heavily on him. Just like that, the season was over with a 5-5 record.
For the second year in a row, Lentz was named All-WCL 1st Team at both running back and linebacker, and was again named All-State 1st Team at running back, becoming the first player in Whatcom County history to repeat that feat at the running back position. He again led the county in every rushing statistic, and led his team in tackles and forced fumbles. The Bellingham Herald put together a Top 25 list of Whatcom County players after the season, in which Lentz was ranked #2, one spot behind Lynden’s Ben Wall.
1994 OFFENSIVE STATISTICS
1994 DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
Football Career
It’s easy to see that Lentz was one of the greatest Pioneers to ever put on a football helmet. When he graduated, he was the third on the Whatcom County career rushing list behind Dave Longoria and John Locker. In 2014, he was named the 59th best football player in Whatcom County history. His combination of size (6’3″ 220 lbs), strength and speed garnered college attention, but mostly as a linebacker. He ended up signing with Eastern Washington University and played linebacker. After redshirting in the 1995 season, he made an immediate impact as a sophomore and served as special teams captain. He helped the Eagles win the Big Sky Conference and advance to the Division 1-AA semifinals, where they lost to eventual national champion Youngstown State, which was coached by Jim Tressel. As a junior he was a mainstay at strong-side outside linebacker in EWU’s 4-3 defensive scheme. He started every game for the 5-6 Eagles. As a senior he led his team with 93 tackles, and helped the Eagles to a 7-4 record.
CAREER OFFENSIVE STATISTICS
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
CAREER KICK RETURN STATISTICS
BASKETBALL
1991-92 Season
As a freshman, he played on the JV squad.
1992-93 Season
He ended up as the only sophomore on the varsity team to see minutes. The team was loaded with talent, and poised to make a big run. At one point, the Pioneers had a 14-2 record, but they only won one of their last four regular season games and limped into the district tournament, mostly because of a knee injury to star senior Mike Coppinger.
Lentz provided size off the bench, and was a role player. He was one of just five players on the team that played in all 27 games that season, and he averaged 2.1 points per game, with a high of six coming in an 88-62 win over Lynden.
The Pioneers did clinch a state berth in the district tournament, before ultimately losing the district championship game to Blaine, 57-53.
At state, Nooksack Valley defeated Ilwaco 59-51 in the first round, but that was followed up by a heart-breaking 53-50 loss to Chelan. The Pioneers were then ousted from the tournament by Zillah, 78-64.
1992-93 SEASON STATISTICS
1993-94 Season
A great regular season was followed up by a tough district tournament, in which Bellevue Christian got the best of the Pioneers to knock them out of getting a state berth.
Lentz started at power forward during the season, and finished as the third leading scorer (9.1 PPG) behind senior stars, guard Vince Anderson and center T.J. Ackerman.
Lentz scored a season-high 18 points in the regular season finale at home against Concrete. He also led his team with 17 points in a tough late-season 50-49 loss at Lynden Christian.
1993-94 SEASON STATISTICS
1994-95 Season
For the second year in a row, Lentz started at power forward and was the third leading scorer on the team (10.7). This time he was behind fellow senior Kevin Long and sharp-shooting junior Steve Neyens. He also averaged five rebounds a game.
Consistency was the key for Lentz who scored in double digits in 16 of his 23 games played. His season-high was 17 points in a 65-61 road victory over South Whidbey.
The Pioneers reached the district tournament (which Lentz was on the cover of the district program) once again, and after defeating Granite Falls 70-48 in the first round, they were then beaten by Lynden Christian and King’s to close out their season. For his efforts Lentz was named All-WCL Honorable Mention.
1994-95 SEASON STATISTICS
Basketball Career
It was a very good career for Lentz, who was a big part of three teams that won district games, and one team that won a state playoff game. In the games he played, Nooksack Valley’s record was 51-23. In the decade of the 1990’s, only Tyler Mitchell, T.J. Ackerman, Steve Neyens and Jay McBeath played in more varsity games for the Pioneers. Out of all the basketball players from Whatcom County that graduated in 1995, Lentz is ninth in scoring with 519 points.
CAREER STATISTICS
BASEBALL
1992 Season
Not only did Lentz make the varsity roster as a freshman, he played a major role as a picther, as well as at first base and in the outfield, in the Pioneers fantastic season that saw them reach the state playoffs.
In the league opener at Lynden Christian he hit a two-run single that keyed a three run seventh inning which helped give the Pioneers a 6-3 win over the Lyncs. In the contest he had two hits and knocked in three runs.
He picked up another base hit in the second game of the season, this time against Mount Baker, and he started his first varsity game on the mound in game four against Sedro-Woolley. He pitched three innings and got the no-decision.
A week later he picked up his first victory on the mound against Cascade. He gave up six hits, struck out five and walked one, allowing just one earned run in the complete game victory. He also picked up two base hits and two RBI’s in the game.
He then got a base hit against Ferndale, and two more against Meridian the following day, but the Pioneers dropped both of those games.
The following week he did the unthinkable as he combined with Troy Slayton to throw a no-hitter against Lynden Christian. Lentz pitched the first six innings and struck out nine batters before Slayton took over to throw the final inning and pick up the save.
On May 1st he suffered his first loss in his fourth start of the year, this time against Blaine.
He then went on an offensive tear, with a base hit in the next four games in a row. He also picked up a double and five runs batted in during the hitting streak.
After going 3-1 in the district tournament, which saw Lentz pitch two innings in a win against Blaine, the Pioneers were defeated by Elma in the first game of regionals, which ended their season.
Nooksack Valley finished with a 15-9 record. Lentz finished the season with five games pitched, all as a starter, and he went 2-1 in 21 innings of work. He also racked up 12 hits, one double and 10 runs batted in.
1993 Season
A year after making the state playoffs, the Pioneer baseball program had a down season. Nooksack Valley didn’t pick up it’s first win until spring break when it defeated Lake Roosevelt at the Quincy Tournament.
A week later Lentz picked up two hits, including a double, against Meridian, but took the loss in a 5-4 defeat.
The following day saw Lentz pick up another pair of hits, and a run batted in, but his Pioneers were downed at home against Mount Baker, 10-3.
Lentz almost went the distance, pitching six innings, against Lynden Christian, but another loss was eminent.
The Pioneers finished the season strong, winning three of their last four games, including a 7-0 victory on the road against Lynden. In the game, Lentz picked up the win tossing a two-hit shut out in his best performance of the season.
Nooksack Valley finished 5-13 overall, and just missed out in playing in the district tournament. He finished the season with a 1-2 record on the hill, and pitched 14 innings. He also had 13 hits, two doubles and two runs batted in.
1994 Season
It was a much needed improved season for the Nooksack Valley baseball team, and Lentz was right in the middle of it once again.
Lentz picked up the victory in game one at Burlington-Edison by pitching two innings in relief. He also got hit first hit of the season.
In the Pioneers’ first league game of the season at Blaine, Nooksack Valley picked up a 5-4 win in which Lentz started on the mound and went four innings, the no-decision, and he picked up his first run batted in on the year.
Four days later Nooksack Valley split a double header at Friday Harbor, and Lentz picked up his second victory of the season in a 15-0 complete game shut out.
In Lentz’s next start on the mound it was another huge win for the program, this time at home against Mount Baker, 5-4. He got the complete game victory once again, and he also had two hits including a solo home run.
He picked up two more hits, a double and a single, and two RBI’s the following week in a 16-10 non-league loss at Ferndale.
His next start came in the next league game at home against Concrete. Lentz against picked up the win, pitching another complete game. He also had two hits, and his second home run of the season.
After splitting two non-league contests Lentz was on the hill again to take on Lynden Christian. He went six innings but took his first loss of the season. He also doubled in the contest.
Two days later against Meridian, the Pioneers walked away with an 11-1 victory in which Lentz singled and doubled.
After briefly leading the Whatcom County League, the Pioneers began a down-hill slide near the end of the season, and lost three road league games in a row. In the third one, Lentz pitched three innings in relief, got two hits and a run batted in, but it wasn’t enough as the Pioneers lost 6-3 to Concrete.
Needing a victory in the final league game of the season, Nooksack Valley traveled to Lynden Christian to take on the first-place Lyncs. The Pioneers turned to Lentz to start on the mound, and he answered the bell by picking up his fifth win of the season, going all seven innings in a 7-3 victory.
Now in the district tournament after finishing fourth in the WCL, the Pioneers had to face Cedarcrest and were big underdogs. In perhaps the biggest moment of his baseball career, Lentz blasted a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning to give Nooksack Valley a 7-4 lead. The Red Wolves scored twice more in the bottom of the inning, but the Pioneers hung on for the 7-6 victory.
Lentz pitched the second game of the tournament, but ultimately fell to Concrete 3-0. He went six innings on the mound, and almost had an inside-the-park home run, but was tagged out at the plate.
Lakewood then finished off Nooksack Valley with a 4-3 win.
The Pioneers finished 11-12, and Lentz finished his junior season with a 5-2 record and 47 innings pitched. He pitched in nine games, started seven of them, and in those seven starts five of them were complete games and one was a shutout. He also had 22 hits, including three doubles one triple and three homeruns, and he knocked in 11 runs.
1995 Season
The Pioneers jumped out to a great start in 1995, mostly behind the offensive exploits of Lentz.
After losing the first game of the season at Burlington-Edison, the Pioneers rattled off six wins in a row. In those six games Lentz racked up eight hits and 13 runs batted in, including a 3-hit performance against Cascade in which he also had six RBI’s.
During that span he picked up his first win of the season as he went the distance against Friday Harbor in a 3-1 victory.
He then had an RBI single against Lynden in a non-league 9-1 win, and he followed that up with three hits, including a home run and two runs batted in against La Conner.
In a battle for first place in the WCL, Lentz took the mound on the road against Lynden Christian, but the Lyncs bested the Pioneers 5-3. He pitched six innings in the game, and had three hits and two runs batted in offensively.
With an 8-4 overall record at that point, Nooksack Valley was still looking pretty good, but a slide was eminent when Lentz left the team shortly thereafter to focus on track and field.
The Pioneers won just two of their last six games of the regular season, and also lost their first two games in the district tournament and finished with a 10-10 record.
On the season, Lentz finished with a 1-1 record on the mound, pitching 17 innings in his three starts. Two of them were complete games. Despite not finishing out the season, he also led the team in hits and runs batted in.
Baseball Career
It was an interesting baseball career for Lentz, who had some amazing moments, yet still finished with the track and field team. His no-hitter pitched as a freshman, to his district tournament grand slam as a junior, you can’t deny that he was one of the best baseball players from the 1990’s. His career stats show an overall pitching record of 9-6. He pitched in 20 games, and started 17 of them. He also threw nine complete games, and pitched a total of 99 innings. Offensively, he finished with 67 hits, seven doubles, one triple, four homeruns and 44 runs batted in.
TRACK AND FIELD
1995 Season
In his first and only season of track and field, the athleticism was evident. His initial first-place finish came in mid-April against Meridian and Concrete when he long jumped 17’4″.
While hosting Anacortes, Lentz won the long jump with a leap of 18’10”. He also ran the anchor leg of the 4×100 relay race, which finished in first place with a time of 48.2 seconds.
Next up was the WCL meet, which was held at Nooksack Valley.
He finished sixth in the long jump, and fourth in the high jump, but he did take the javelin title with a distance of 184’6″.
The following week was the Northwest District meet, and he took the javelin title once again, this time at 181’10.5″.
Unfortunately, he didn’t place at state in the javelin, but his run in a brand new sport showed his overall athletic ability.
