Knight runners — Lone Peak boasts dynamic distance duo

Although most consider track an individual sport, it's hard to overstate the importance of great teammates. Lone Peak distance runners Kacee Hildebrandt and Lacey Cramer could each be successful at any 5A program, but together the pair is one of the most talented and hard-working duos in the state, pushing and encouraging each other to new heights.

"You couldn't ask for better girls," said former Lone Peak head coach Rod Jorgensen. "They're both extremely talented and they work well together."

Hildebrandt enters the 2007 track season fresh off a third-place finish at the state cross country meet and is a top five returner in the 3,200 meters with a personal best of 11 minutes 16.72 seconds.

Cramer is 5A's No. 2 returner in the 800 meters with a personal best of 2:15.12 and earned all-state honors in cross country despite having to divide practice time between volleyball and cross country.

"Lacey does it all," Jorgensen said. "We can't get her to work out with us during cross country because of volleyball, but she'll run meets for us on the weekends."

Cramer also anchors Lone Peak's 4 X 400-meter relay team and made her debut in the mile this season with a first-place finish in 5:14.95 at the Bulldog Invitational last month. Hildebrandt's best is just a hundredth of a second faster at 5:14.94.

"I love the mile," Cramer said. "There's a lot more strategy to it than the 800."

With Cramer moving up to the mile this season, Hildebrandt's long-distance strength and Cramer's speed will meet head-on at region, state and several major invitationals. Will there be some inter-squad competition?

"Secretly," Hildebrandt said with a smile. "Obviously we're both really competitive people, but we're still way good friends. We always joke around that together with her speed and my strength we'd be the perfect runner."

Whether they're pounding out intervals on the track, or seeing who can do more reps in the weight room, Cramer and Hildebrandt haven't let competition on the track spoil they're friendship.

"That's what makes them so great," said head coach Misty Jorgensen. "They're competitive but still good friends. We have a very young team this year, so it's great to have two girls like Lacey and Kacee to set the example."

Cramer should challenge for first place in both the 1,600 and the 800 at state, and Hildebrandt has the potential to be top three in the 1,600 and 3,200 despite being setback with some early season respiratory problems.

"She's just starting to get her strength back," Jorgensen said. "She should be back to form in a couple weeks."