Lancers, Wildcats Hold 30-Plus State Records

Wildcats and Lancer athletes are no strangers to state championships, with the most recent one coming in 2010 with the Lady Lancers’ swimming title. However, it’s not just championships that have distinguished both sports programs.

In the past 15 years, and student-athletes and coaches have combined for more than 30 Missouri state records, according to Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) records.

At Lafayette, the Lady Lancers own all but one of the school’s state records. Girls soccer coach Tim Walters, who retired in 2008, holds the state record for highest career win-loss percentage (.822), achieved over 15 years at Visitation Academy and Lafayette.

The Lady Lancers’ swimming dominance of the early 2000s yielded its other records. Jamie Saxe set the state record for the 500-yard freestyle at the state championships on May 20, 2000. Caroline Rodriguez broke her own record at the state championships on May 22, 2004, besting her mark as a freshman in the 100-yard backstroke. She also was part of the team that set the state 200-yard medley record on the same day, leading the Lancers to their fourth consecutive state swimming championship.

A majority of Eureka’s records also come from the ladies’ side, but one game in particular put a dent in the record book. On Oct. 4, 1996, the Lady Wildcats softball team defeated Dixon High School 33-2 in Sullivan. Oddly enough, the state record for runs scored in a softball game is even larger. (The record is 40, as set in a three-inning game by Central High School in New Madrid, MO, in 2003 against a team from Blytheville, AR). They did, however, manage to break, or set, a handful of state individual and team records that still stand nearly 15 years later. 

Some other highlights include:  Eureka recorded 20 runs in the first inning, with three players (Vickie Viefhaus, Melanie Wallach and Meredith Henry) scoring three times each. Viefhaus picked up three hits in the inning, while Henry drove in five runs, both state records.

Melanie Wallach also shows up in the record book elsewhere, in games started in a season and wins in a season (32 as a senior in 1999, 29-3 overall). 

The longest-standing record for either school comes from Eureka boys tennis, where Bill Tanurchis has held the record for career dual meet victories (54) since the spring of 1996. 

Jason Green, Eureka High's activities director, wasn't at the school at that time, but expressed respect for the school's past athletic achievements.

"I think it just speaks to the legacy that has been built at Eureka," Green said.

"We have had a lot of wonderful athletes/role models and coaches come through that have helped to build a wonderful program.  Their hard work laid the foundation for the success that we still have today."

It’s not just longevity that has distinguished both schools’ records—speed also sets them apart from the rest. Eureka wrestler Caleb Patton grabbed the state record for fastest victory by fall in Missouri high school history on Dec. 1, 2001, against Kirksville in Jefferson City. It took Patton just 4 seconds to down his opponent. In the last decade, only a few Missouri wrestlers have come close to touching it.

A table of all the records follows. All information was gathered from MSHSAA's website and verified by its staff.

* Tied with another school's previous record

Editor's Note: Every attempt has been made to capture all state records reflected by athletes from both Lafayette and Eureka High schools. The chart was reviewed by the activities directors from both schools. However, our goal is to include everyone who should be recognized here, so please e-mail if you are aware of an additional sport or individual event that you believe might qualify for additions. We would be happy to check them out.