Jim Lambright tries to give Everett Seagulls a boost

EVERETT — In Jim Lambright’s day, Everett High School truly lived up to its nickname as a school of champions.

And on Monday, the 71-year-old Lambright explained to a new generation of Everett football players how that earlier tradition of excellence was established on individual and team traits of character, pride, perseverance and a day-to-day determination to be the best.

“The lessons that my head coach, Jim Ennis, taught me are still the best lessons that I can use to be successful in my life on a daily basis,” Lambright told the team in an Everett Memorial Stadium locker room. Among them, he went on, is the importance “of doing the little things right, doing them every day, and doing them better than everybody else.”

“Everything in life that happens to you will happen in the right way if you build the foundation of your life correctly,” he said. “Surrounding yourself with the right people, believing in the right things, and then being willing to sacrifice for your team, those are the ingredients of greatness.”

The players were listening closely, but their attention clearly went up a notch when Lambright held up his 1991 national championship ring. Lambright was the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington as the Huskies went 12-0, topped off by a Rose Bowl win over Michigan, to be named the national champions by the USA Today/CNN coaches poll.

Lambright, who also played at Washington and was the head coach from 1993-98, then passed the ring around the room. Each player took a moment to hold the ring and most studied it carefully, almost reverently.

The idea of having a prestigious Everett alum like Lambright address the team came from Seagulls head coach Will Soren. It made sense, Soren said, “because he grew up in the Everett area, he walked these streets, he’s been in that locker room, and he wore the blue and gold.

“He obviously went on to a great career, and he learned a lot of life lessons and a lot of football lessons that are great for our kids to hear. I think our kids definitely look up to him and to what he has to say, and to have someone from that level come back and talk to them about these things is a great thing,” Soren said.

This year’s Everett team is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2012 season. Beset by injuries and a lack of depth, the Seagulls went 1-9 in the Western Conference 3A North, winning only their next-to-last game against Shorewood.

Opening the season with eight straight losses “was very challenging,” Soren said. “We were trying to get the kids’ energy levels up, to keep them excited and believing in what we’re coaching them, and to keep them believing in each other. But it was tough because we weren’t getting the results on Friday night.”

Soren expects the team to be better this season, led by a quartet of senior standouts — offensive guard/linebacker Lucas Arnestad (who missed six games in 2012 with a broken foot), tight end/linebacker Tyree Rutter, split end/defensive end Paul Larson, and quarterback/free safety Bryce Jameson.

In particular, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Arnestad “is a leader in all aspects,” Soren said. “He’s pretty much our main heartbeat out there. He’s a kid everybody looks up to and he’ll be a big part of our season.”

As for the rest of the team, “a lot of these kids are saying, ‘You know, we know what last year was like and let’s not go there again (this year). Let’s work hard so we can prevent that.’ It was tough on them, tough on the coaches and tough on the school, and now we’re doing everything in our power not to go down that road again.

“I think we have a group that believes in what we’re doing,” he added. “They’re working hard, and hopefully on Friday nights we’ll have some different outcomes.”

And certainly the inspiring words from Lambright, an Everett legend, can only help.

“Good luck and just win,” he told the team in parting. “And if you learn these lessons, you will.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.