A club title with Taieri, a first-class rugby debut, a call-up to Super rugby and then starting and winning a Super rugby final.
Lentjes (24), said he headed south from Christchurch on the urging of a good mate, Henry Parker - who also plays for Taieri - and it had been a wise decision.
''He [Parker] said I should come down and play for Taieri. There wasn't much going on in Christchurch where I was, so I decided why not?'' Lentjes said.
He was part of the Taieri side which won the club title last year and moved on to impress for Otago last season.
He missed out on the Highlanders initially but injuries got him into the squad and he was part of the championship-winning team for all but three weeks of the season.
Those injuries helped him get into the starting side for six games, including the semifinal and final.
Lentjes admitted it was a chance he was lucky to get.
''You do need a slice of luck but you've got to make the most of the opportunity. You've really got to take the opportunity when it comes along.''
The St Bede's College product said he loved being part of the Highlanders and Otago set-up and hoped to continue.
He was talking to the Highlanders for next season - nothing had been signed yet - and was keen to help Otago push towards the final of the ITM Cup championship.
Lentjes will start on the openside flank tomorrow when Otago takes on Bay of Plenty.
Lentjes said the side was coming together well, having won its last four games.
''I just think we've got a solid game plan where everyone understands their roles in the team. We have got some talented backs and a hard-working forward pack.
''We are doing the basics well and everyone is working hard for each other.''
Otago last played on Wednesday - putting 50 points over Northland - and has had only one full training for the match.
''It's a strange sort of game, really. We only played on Wednesday and we have both qualified for the semifinals.
''We're not going to have much time to change much, only having four days between the games. The coaches manage the minutes and keep a close eye on that. But we'll just be keeping it simple.''
Lentjes picked up a concussion in a pre-season game and, after starting the first match of the competition against Canterbury but coming off during the game, he sat out the next month.
It was the first concussion he had experienced and, although not a good watcher, he rested on the sidelines before his head cleared.
Lentjes is feeling fine now and will be a key man tomorrow.
Otago has a long shot of hosting a semifinal next week.
It will have to score a five-point bonus point win tomorrow, and hope Wellington loses and does not pick up any points against Manawatu tonight in the capital.
That appears unlikely and coach Cory Brown said yesterday he was just thinking about getting a win at the stadium.
Bay of Plenty is in fourth and cannot catch Otago in third.
Gavin Stark will make his starting debut for Otago, coming in for Jack Wilson, on the left wing.
Stark had a groin injury but it has cleared now.
Sio Tomkinson gets a start in his preferred position of second five-eighth, as Michael Collins takes a rest after a busy past few weeks.
Tei Walden picked up some facial injuries in a nasty collision in the Northland match.
Otago v Bay of Plenty
FB Stadium, tomorrow, 4.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Gavin Stark, Peter Breen, Josh Renton, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Blair Tweed, Tom Franklin, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Aki Seiuli, Donald Brighouse, Josh Dickson, Adam Knight, Kaide Whiting, Fletcher Smith, Michael Collins.
Bay of Plenty: Te Rangi Fraser, Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, Lalakai Foketi, Craig Clare, Leroy van Dam, Dan Hollinshead, Te Aihe Toma, Carl Axtens, Joe Tupe, Johan Bardoul, Culum Retallick, Keepa Mewett, Mika Kainga, Joe Royal, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi. Reserves: Sabastian Siataga, Aidan Ross, Jeff Thwaites, Troy Callander, Zak Hohneck, Nick Evemy, Caleb Hall, Chase Tiatia.
Referee: Richard Kelly (Taranaki)
