As the Manhasset Outdoor Track team athletes, led by coaches Don Scott and Greg Fried, prepare for the 2005 outdoor season, on their minds is the elusive streak. Since the 1970s, the Manhasset track team has not lost a single league meet, dominating Nassau County track with sweeping victories and a myriad of undefeated seasons, conference, and county championships.

This year however, it is perceived that the team is thin, especially after losing the team's most valuable athlete, George Ehrahdt, last year, as well as 800m runner Anthony McLean, 400m runners Andre Montague and Will Curry, long jumper Troy Williams, and sprinter David Young (all of whom made the State Meet, and four of whom made up the 4x400 relay team at States).

But the team may be deeper than ever, thanks to an influx of underclassmen, returning sophomores and juniors who scored big points in meets last year, and a number of new seniors who are looking to contribute.

Leading the sprinters this year will be senior Cary Choy, whose time of 11.0 seconds for the 100m dash is good for 10th on Manhasset's All-Time list, and sophomore Shannon Mason who, as a freshman last year, competed in the state qualifying meet in the long jump. Manhasset also has freshman Kadeem Howell, who has shown potential in the 100-400m events, junior Carlton McCrimmon, who high jumped during the indoor track season, and senior Leonard Arrington, who shows potential as Troy Williams's successor as New York State Long Jump champion. The 100m high and 400m intermediate hurdles will be run by juniors Jon Chiou and Victor Chan.

In the middle and long distance events- 800m to 3200- Manhasset is led by senior Tom Papain and junior Erik Lawrence, both of whom competed in the 3200m at State Quals and ran on the 4x800 relay at states. Erik will cover the 800m and 1600m in league meets, while Tom will run the 1600 and 3200 in the same meets. Also seeking to contribute to Manhasset in the distance events is seniors Brendan McDonough and Yousuf Qureshi, junior Matt Cornachio, and sophomore Andreas Molnar.

A big hole that Manhasset has to fill is in the field events. Losing their top shot putter, discus thrower, and top triple and long jumper, the Indians are looking to make it up through a strong showing of shot-putters and discus throwers, and big points from Leonard and Shannon in the triple and long jumping, and newcomer senior Dan Harkins in the high jump. Senior Amrit Das and junior Richy Giovese look to lead a group of shot putters and discus throwers that include, amongst others, senior Arya Morshed and sophomore Anthony Dedousis.

Manhasset's first meet took place on Tuesday, March 22, at Locust Valley High School.