The 2009 All-County Boys Cross Country team

Throughout Dana Hills' historic run this season, the Dolphins consistently displayed a dominant team brilliance rarely seen in county distance running.

While there were many who played key roles in the Dolphins' unrivaled success, the unquestioned leader was senior Tyler Valdes.

Considered one of the county's elite runners throughout his high school career, Valdes' performance this season validated his place as the county's standard of distance running excellence.

For his performance, desire to succeed and commitment to his team, Valdes has been selected the Register's 2008 Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

"As a team, we wanted to be better this season and that was the goal throughout," Valdes said. "The individual success for me was a bonus."

In 2007, he helped lead the Dolphins to their first state title since 1988 by finishing fifth at the Division I state finals. Coming into the '08 season, Valdes acknowledged that the biggest area he sought to improve upon was his confidence.

"After last season, I felt that while I could run with some of the top guys, it was a shock to me," he said. "This season, I went into competitions knowing that I could compete with them."

That belief produced a string of impressive results for Valdes, who set a modern course record in winning the Dana Hills Invitational.

He followed that up by claiming the sweepstakes title at the Orange County Championships, finishing with the second fastest time on the modern Irvine Regional course.

Despite his individual achievements, Valdes never took his focus off of his team's goals.

"My efforts were focused on our team," he said. "Winning didn't matter to me as much as helping the team being successful."

Those efforts led to more individual and team success. Valdes and fellow all-county runner James Cameron tied for the South Coast League title in an epic finish. Valdes went on to win the CIF-SS Division I title and CIF Division I state title, tying for the best time by a county runner on the Woodward Park course.

With Valdes leading the way, the Dolphins set team and course records at the Orange County Championships and the South Coast League finals on their way to winning the CIF-SS Division I team title, and CIF Division I state championship. It was the second consecutive season the Dolphins claimed all four titles.

When asked if the scope of his team and individual achievements had registered with him yet, Valdes said he was still awed by his efforts.

"Winning is an awesome feeling," he said. "This team is like a family and seeing them work hard everyday has definitely helped inspire me."

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com