Dawgs keep streaking!

Today might have seemed like an ordinary xc meet to most,  unless your connected to the HMHS boys XC team.  Today a streak, that started after an early season loss in 1997, and has continued through October,  2011.  I would compare the streak to the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Dolphins are the only team to complete an entire season, including the playoffs undefeated.    Every year, when an NFL team doesn't go undefeated, the '72 fish crack open champagne to celebrate.  The Alumni and those associated with this years team, have reason to celebrate, albeit for a different reason.  The current undefeated dual meet streak continues.  That's 15 years, and 142 straight dual meet wins with out a loss and counting!   Most of the team members on this current crop of young men weren't even born when the streak started.   Running on the "A" course for the first time this year, the dawgs were able to beat West Deptford, Overbrook, & Lindenwald.   I caught up to coach Tom Brennan and asked a couple of questions about the streak.


Boo Vitez & David Twitchell keep the streak going during the 2008 season



TM: Tell me what the streak means to you, the team & the school?

TB: I think what it really means is the program coming together.  I was on that team that lost, and it was a battle between Haddon Twp & Haddon Heights in the early part of the streak.  It all started coming together when 10 guys would go to XC camp, show up in the summer to train and be willing to do the work.  Once the program got rolling it was easier to maintain.

TM: Haddonfield is a relatively small school that fields a Varsity, JV & freshman Football team as well a the same for boys soccer.  Is it ever a struggle to get kids out to keep a streak like this going?

TB: Not since Maureen Baker put the middle school program in place.  That is the number one reason we able able to get kids.    Every year we get 5 or 6 kids (freshman) to buy in to our program.  Also the tradition of seeing previous teams succeed at the sectional, state, & national levels help.  The younger kids see the work necessary to keep the program & the streak going,  and they want to get there to. They know the work that is necessary to continue being good.

TM: The last couple of years you and coach Baker knew the kind of teams you had.  How exciting has this year been so far, especially after the recent success at Shore coaches?

TB: Coach Baker & I knew we were going to have a good one.  I don't think anybody outside of our program  knew we were going to be good. Coach Baker & I couldn't wait for this season.  As much as we love Matt, Ben& Timmy it was time for them to move on. This year is exciting, and I don't want to seem over confident, but it's fun to worry about states & sectionals.  Highland moves to Gr 2 and we have to worry about them.  Last years team was MOC & Nationals-this year we have to be ready to run at sectionals & States as opposed to years past.  Theses guys, (6 new Varsity runners) the first day after MOC track they started meeting.  They didn't want to be the group that had the streak stopped.  At first they were running and training out of fear, then they got strong and wanted to be good. Winning the conference and keeping the streak going is a direct result of the hard work they have put in to this point.

TM: The streak has been going on for 15 years now.  Why do you think kids have become some much better over that 15 year period?

TB: This may sound a little out there, but I believe its because of the Internet.  The first time I saw Dyestat was when Erin Donahue had her hands raised after winning a national title. Dyestat became huge to a sport that wasn't all that popular.   Back when I was running you got results once a month and had no idea how kids were training. There was a little paragraph about meet from each state that happened a month earlier.  Today, because of the Internet you know what a kid in CA is doing in a  workout an hour after he did it. The amount of information that gets shared is also a reason .  I think corporate sponsor like Nike, Adidas & New Balance have created big time events and created some hype.    Also, I think the kids do more work & mileage, due to the information available on the  Internet.

Thanks Coach Tom for the time today - Good luck as the Dawgs head into the championship part of the season.



See you on the course