18 Years and Counting: Solon Track on an Amazing Win Streak

Nothing is more fascinating in the world of sports than a streak. Winning streaks, losing streaks, hitting streaks. Whether it's Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, Oklahoma's 47-game college football win streak or UCLA's 88-game winning streak in NCAA men's basketball, streaks beome a timeless part of our sports culture.

Some streaks fly under the radar. There is an amazing one going on right now at Solon High School you may not know about. With Wednesday's 103-34 victory over Hudson, the Comet boys' track and field team has now reeled off 108 consecutive dual meet victories.

That's right – 108 in a row.

The Streak has lasted 18 years and spanned Solon's participation in three different conferences – the Chagrin Valley Conference, Western Reserve Conference and the current Northeast Ohio Conference.

The Comets last lost a conference dual meet to Orange in 1993. The year before, Solon lost to Twinsburg but went on to place second in the state of Ohio. Since 1988, the Comets have lost just four dual meets.

The Streak lives on thanks to some great athletes and a little luck as well. On more than one occasion, Solon has pulled out a victory in the final event of a meet. Head coach Dan Iwan remembers one meet where "about 120 people were watching the pole vault."

The Streak started with head coach Tom Iwan. It continues with his son Dan, a former Comet track standout and a graduate of Yale.

"The team really doesn't talk about it," says Iwan. "But they are definitely aware of it. The upperclassmen let the younger kids know about it and there's some pressure that goes along with it. Each senior class says they aren't going to be the ones to break it."

Some teams gear up for the post-season and success at district and regional meets. Solon has suceeded in both dual meets and in district, regional and state competition.

"Our kids love to compete and this (streak) makes it fun for us," said Iwan, whose team actually lost the NOC Meet to Medina last year. "That was the first time in 17 years we hadn't won the league meet," he said. "But it was a wakeup call for us and we went on to finish sixth in the state."

A friendly rivalry has developed with Medina, the only team that looks to have a chance at threatening The Streak this season. The two teams will meet again May 4.

"Our kids are familiar with their kids and we have a healthy respect for them," said Iwan of Medina. "There is great sportsmanship between the two teams but rest assured it will be all business when we run against them. They really go after us and those meets are something to see. The kids always come up with great performances on either side."

Tom Iwan's teams started The Streak and he knows how important it is to each year's team.

"It really indicates what kind of teams you have through the years," said Iwan. "Some coaches say they prepare for a state meet, which is usually a small part of the team. Why base your whole season on about two percent of your team? We take a lot of pride in this because you have to cover all your events. And we've done it against some pretty good teams over the years."

This season, Solon has one of its best teams ever. Led by North Carolina recruit A.J. Hicks, the Comets have already won the Division I state indoor championship. And yet The Streak remains an integral part of the program.

"Nobody wants to be the team that breaks it," said Tom Iwan. "It can be tough when you put so much pressure on yourself."

If Solon keeps it going for another 108 wins, Dan Iwan has two young sons who could continue the family tradition.

By that time they might want to change the family name to Iwon.