When you think of the all time greatest sports achievements, you might think of dynasties like the Celtics of the '60s or UCLA basketball` of the '70s. The Dolphins perfect season back in 1972 is another great example of the pinnacle of winning.
But not many people think of the squash powerhouse that is the Trinity College Bantams. For more than a decade, the Hartford college team has been perfect -- 13 national championships, 252-for-252. It is the longest winning streak in the history of varsity college sports.
Last night, that streak came to an end at the hands of another Connecticut institution of higher learning.
Trinity lost its first match since the 1997-1998 season to Yale.
The Bulldogs upset the Bantams, 5-4, in a back and forth match at Yale's Brady Squash Center.
"It's hard to put into words, this group has been trying for four years to break through," Yale head coach Dave Talbott said. He has been led the Bulldogs since 1983. "A lot of the guys were here tonight, guys who graduated and laid the foundation, but this team -- especially the seniors -- wanted this so bad."
"Yale played very well, and we could have handled ourselves better in certain situations," Trinity Head Coach Paul Assaiante said. "They were the better team today."
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The loss ends quite the run for Assaiante.
To put the 252-game win streak in perspective, John Wooden's UCLA basketball teams won just 88-straight games. The next closest streak in college athletics actually belongs to Yale. Their swim team won 201 straight meats between 1940 and 1961.
"I always said that I would be relieved when this streak was over, but I guess I was lying because I don't like this feeling at all," Assaiante said. "Still, in the end, this was a dual match on the road against the No. 2-ranked team in the country, and we will hopefully get to play them again in the National Championships."
