TIM Dalton is only 39 years old, so it's not like he’s running out of time as head coach of the Northville cross country and track and field programs. With his incredible success in both sports it might seem like he’s running out of things to accomplish, but he still sees plenty of finish lines he wants to cross and goals he would like to accomplish before calling it a career.

“I am a big believer that our success is a reflection of our student-athletes, families and our coaches,” Dalton said. “I feel strongly that once you have the correct culture within your program, the rest will take care of itself. At the core of everything we’ve achieved are the student-athletes themselves. We’ve been lucky to work with kids who are coachable, self-motivated, and committed to the team.”

Dalton said these student-athletes “run for something bigger than themselves” and it starts at home.

“We have been blessed with incredible families,” he said. “There is no doubt our parents play a huge role in our success.”

Winning coaches also build successful programs by putting together a strong coaching staff. Northville’s cross country coaching staff includes Jack Dalton, Chris Inch, Lauren Peck and Adam Ghabra. Coach Tom Brown also has been instrumental in the success of the program. The varsity track coaching staff includes the above coaches along with Coach Tripp, Coach Jeffries, Coach Spotts, Coach Kamm, Coach Long and Coach Kearney.

Dalton, who graduated from Northville High School in 2004, ran cross country and track at Grand Valley State University, where he graduated with a degree in education. He ended up where he wanted to be – back home teaching and coaching, and building programs built on a foundation of preparation, brotherhood, consistency and a team-first mentality.

“Our cross country program is more than just a team – it's a family for our guys,” he said. “Our focus has always been on developing a culture where every athlete – from our top runner to our newest member – contributes to the overall success of the team.” And the overall success of the team has been off the charts.

The Mustangs are the first boys cross country team to win four consecutive Division 1 state championships in the MHSAA’s largest classification since Kalamazoo Central won four straight in the open division and Class A from 1925-28.

Northville won its fourth consecutive team title on November 1, with a narrow 125-134 win over runner-up Ann Arbor Pioneer. The Mustangs had three runners – Brandon Cloud (2nd), Benjamin Hartigan (5th), and Ryan Stojov (6th) – finish in the top 10.

Northville’s boys track and field team finished as the D1 State Runner-Up this past spring, finishing second to Belleville.

“It was an incredible accomplishment for our kids and was the highest finish ever for our boys track and field team,” Dalton said. “Our kids truly gave everything they had and it was certainly a special day and accomplishment.”

Dalton knows all about accomplishments – it’s just a matter of how long he wants to keep racking them up.

“There have been countless highlights and memories over the years,” he said. “The number one highlight for me will always be the student-athletes we have worked with over the last 16 years. It is special to watch young girls and boys grow up to be wonderful adults. Those positive relationships will always be first for me. “I will keep coaching as long as I have the passion and fire to do so,” he added. “I truly enjoy working with our youth and sharing a sport with the next generation that gave me so much as a young student-athlete.”