Christopher "Lambie" Lanman will be playing just like coach Wedemeyer would have wanted.
“I always work hard and maximize the moments," Lanman said. "We are going to have a fun, competitive game.”
The Los Altos quarterback will be a part of the 40th annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic – also known as the Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game – at 7:30 p.m. tonight at San Jose City College. The North squad includes Lanman and his Los Altos teammates Victor Ruiz (receiver), Ofisa Pati (defensive tackle) and Josh Williams (linebacker).
“Charlie Wedemeyer was obviously a great coach and a great person," Lanman said. “His wife and family have been through a lot and it’s a great opportunity to not only represent him but to keep playing football with a group of competitive guys.
“That is what Mrs. Wedemeyer said coach Wedemeyer liked, was having fun, and a huge part of that was competitive football.”
Lanman and his teammates have practiced for 10 days and are ready for the game.
“We are all really excited and honored,” Lanman said. “I am definitely humbled to be a part of the event.”
Lanman, who will attend Yale in the fall, had been maximizing his moments his whole life. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete played three sports in high school – football, baseball, and basketball – while never getting anything less than an A on his report card.
In his senior year Lanman completed 140 of his 208 passes for 2,198 yards and 21 touchdowns for Los Altos, which went 8-2.
“I work as hard as I could to create the best opportunity for myself,” Lanman said. “Just work as hard as I could every day.”
As if all that isn't enough, Lanman is also a published author and a documentary filmmaker.
His book, “Beyond The Back Gate: ‘Filoli’s Wild Garden,’” is about the 600 wooded acres surrounding the historic Filoli Estate in Woodside. Lanman also finished his documentary, “Be All: A Profile of Grant Beall.” The 10-minute film featured a Los Altos High student who overcame a leg amputation to play on the water polo team.
Lanman, the youngest of five boys and a fixture at the school since he could walk, was destined to have some sort of nickname.
“My brothers friends said I was the lamb of the family, and started calling me “Lambie” and it has stuck with me ever since," he said.
Lanman knew right away the Ivy League was the place he wanted to be and Yale was his choice.
“It was the right fit for me,” he said. “And it was really the people that are there and the type of people that have been through there (that) is really impressive. I want to be surrounded by intelligent people that will challenge me to be better.
“Education is the most important thing, you can’t rely on sports or football.”
Los Altos High football coach Trevor Pruitt knows he will never be able to replace a leader like Lanman.
“He will never go into anything unprepared; he’s over-prepared for everything.” Pruitt told the Los Altos Town Crier. “If there is film to be studied – a defense, a play – he will study it and get it done with a full report. It’s amazing.”
Pruitt will get one more time to coach Lanman, as he guides the North team.
“He’s one of the top guys I ever coached,” Pruitt said of his team captain. “It’s tough losing him. We can’t replace Lambie and his leadership and all that he brings to practice every day.”
