FALL SPORTS: HANDY LANCER : WIEDERKEHR SETS STEALS RECORD.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Thousand Oaks recently installed a sign listing the school's water polo record-holders. The Lancers already have to make one addition and may soon have to make another.

Senior Danny Wiederkehr's name is to be put on the board for breaking the school single-season mark in steals. Wiederkehr is far past the old record of 60 and is expected to break the 100-steal threshold Friday when Thousand Oaks plays Royal. Teammate Jimmy Durley is close to breaking the Lancers' record for goals in a season. The senior has close to 100 goals with three more regular-season games and a probable playoff appearance to break the record of 107, held by his coach, Craig Rond.

While steals may not hold the same prestige as goals, Wiederkehr's mark could be more than just a school record. The Lancers tried to find out the county record for steals, but few teams kept track of the record for the defensive stat. However, they agreed reaching 100 steals is rare.

Wiederkehr made 53 steals last year. When he found out how close he came to the record, he made it his goal to set the record this season. His coaches helped with pointers, such as trying to keep his hips high in the water and play next to the player he is guarding instead of getting stuck behind him. Wiederkehr, who also competes on the wrestling and swim teams, has natural speed and an ability to anticipate passes.

He had a season-high 12 steals in the season-opening win at the Thousand Oaks tournament. He has 98 for the season.

``After the first few games, I knew it was something I could do,'' Wiederkehr said of setting the record.

``It's real exciting. Knowing that my name's going to be up there is real exciting. It make me feel good to think, not that I'm the greatest player, because I'm not, but it's something I've contributed.''

Thousand Oaks is 2-2 in Marmonte League play and looking to move up from third place. After facing league-leading Royal, the Lancers play Agoura on Wednesday. The Chargers beat Thousand Oaks by one in their previous meeting.

``We're not at our peak, but we're on our way up,'' Wiederkehr said.

The next generation: Interest in girls' golf is rapidly growing as most local teams said they had almost twice as many girls come out for the sport compared to last year's inaugural season.

Moorpark coach Jody Duclose would like to see girls introduced to golf sooner, though. She is looking into starting programs at the middle school level, so players aren't just learning the sport when they get to high school.