Consistency. Leadership. Prowess. There is something about Farmingdale's athletes and coaches that will never let their tradition of excellence stop.

Farmingdale stands at the top, with most of its teams and players making headlines and sharing airtime in many of the local media outlets, with the most recent being that of the boy's lacrosse team, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation up until June 7.

"Farmingdale has had a great tradition for the past 50 years," said Tom Howard, who has been the athletic director for Farmingdale Schools for the past 11 years. "Farmingdale has powerhouse athletics. They have come a long way and the athletic program is on the rise."

Since taking over for Don Snyder in 1992, Howard said that the athletic program has been increasing girl's sports since 1992, including badminton and swimming. "It is also the first year that the boy's lacrosse team has been ranked No. 1," said Howard. "We are always listed, but never as No. 1."

With their high spirits and roaring personalities, the Farmingdale athletes never cease to amaze their fans, as they set records and break others at the high school.

Matt Danowski, a four-year starter and three-time All-American on the lacrosse team, scored 84 goals this season to break the previous record of 71 set in 1988 by Jim Naslonski. Jonathan Engelke, who finished with 81 goals this season, tied Naslonski's 1988 mark last season.

Additionally, this year, five lacrosse players stood out on the fields as they were selected for the All-Long Island Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams, selected after polling coaches and Newsday staff members.

And all of these athletes will certainly not stop there. Similar to what they have done on the field, many of the seniors at the high school have taken an aggressive approach to their future and are bound for Division-I college programs.

According to Howard, 17 of Farmingdale's 23 varsity athletic teams will also receive the scholar-athlete award, compared to last year's 18.

In response to losing several key players next year, Howard said that all of the teams will do fine. "Joe Zucchero and Ryan Bagnasco will hold their own next year," he said, referring to two players on the boy's lacrosse team.

Of the girl's lacrosse team, while they were victorious over Northport in the Long Island championship game last year (15-9), they lost to Northport (19-0) in the Southeast Regional/Long Island Large Schools championship game on May 31 at C.W. Post.

"It was a very good game," said Howard, who will be retiring from athletics at the end of this year and to resume teaching, leaving his office to Jeanne Berkoski, the athletic director at Lindenhurst. "When the team lost, they were devastated. But, the most important thing is that they learn from their athletics. There is a pay off in understanding that by getting that far they have already succeeded."

While the boy's lacrosse team (21-1) may have been denied a state title to West Genesee (22-1) on June 7, they, along with the rest of the Farmingdale teams, have not walked away from their "powerhouse" title.

No matter the injuries, the pressure, or their opponents, Farmingdale will continue to rise above and beyond, and be recognized with great potential in a well-molded athletic program.

Some Farmingdale seniors who will be attending Division-I schools:

Matt Albanese - C.W. Post, football

Danny Brennan - Syracuse University, lacrosse

Jonathan Engelke - Towson University, lacrosse

Matthew Danowski - Duke University, lacrosse

Emily Fortunato - George Washington University, lacrosse

Kim Hillier - Hofstra University, lacrosse

Jerry Lambe - Georgetown University, lacrosse

Matt Lyons - Stony Brook University, baseball

Jackie Marcel - University of Massachusetts, lacrosse

Keith Obloj - Towson University, lacrosse

Steve Panarelli - Syracuse University, lacrosse

Krista Pellizzi - Maryland University, lacrosse

Will Presti - Princeton University, lacrosse

Nicole Rhodes - Binghamton University, lacrosse

Brendan Skakandi - Johns Hopkins University, lacrosse