Valley Stream North winning streak: 104 and counting

Being a freshman on the Valley Stream North track team can be a bit overwhelming. When Demesvar Destin, Curtis Mensah and Joe Cafaro stepped onto the track in 2010, Valley Stream North hadn't lost a league meet in four seasons.

Now, almost three years later, that perfect league showing continues intact. After victories over Clarke and Island Trees on Tuesday, Valley Stream North has defeated 104 consecutive opponents.

When the three seniors joined the team, they knew they were competing with a powerhouse. But, they never could have envisioned standing on a track on a blustery April afternoon, during their senior year, opining on a triple digit win streak.

"I had no idea we'd still be talking about this," Cafaro said. "Going into my senior year, we lost a lot of good distance guys, throwers, and sprinters. I didn't think we'd be able to [keep it going]. But a lot of freshman have come up and put in a lot of work. I'm pretty confident in our team this year."

Although the undefeated season streak began in 2006, Valley Stream North's run to extend it to 100 actually began in late 2005, a year in which the Spartans were 11-2. After winning their final league meet last spring, the streak had reached 99. It was impressive, but they'd have to wait almost a year for the one win they really wanted.

"We said 'wow, that's kind of a bummer,' " coach Mike Frazer said of ending 2012 one win from 100. "When we saw that Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, and Cold Spring Harbor -- three very tough teams -- were on our schedule as the first meet in 2013, we were saying that we'd have to be ready."

They were ready, finishing first at the April 4 meet and adding three more wins -- including No. 100 -- to the ledger. "We take pride in maintaining the winning streak," Destin said. "Valley Stream North is a powerhouse and we intend to preserve that."

In about two months, Destin and his senior teammates will transform from competitors into proud alumni. It is their hope that the streak is still alive when they leave. "I don't want to be part of the team that loses it," sophomore Peter Wilk said. "It's always on my mind."