Page 8 Stillwater Ponies Fall Sports Preview • Friday , September 6 , 2024 stillwatergazette . com
SWIMMING
( Continued from page 7 )
need to fill those huge holes to the best of our ability — and as soon as possible .”
Notable — The Ponies began the season with a winning streak of 204 consecutive dual meets dating back to 2003 — and 180 conference meets in a row dating back to 2002 . The previous state record for consecutive victories in the sport was held at 124 by Hopkins Lindbergh when the program was coached by Elmer Luke , the father of Ponies coach Brian Luke .
Elmer also served as an assistant coach with the Ponies for several years , including the team that eventually broke his previous state record .
The last team to defeat Stillwater in a dual meet was Elk River in the 2003 season opener . The last Suburban East Conference team to upend the Ponies was Woodbury midway through the 2002 season .
Stillwater reached its 200th in a row with a victory at Roseville last fall and a large crowd of friends , family and even a pep band greeted the team as they arrived back at Stillwater Middle School — complete with a police escort for the last leg of the trip .
“ The streak is fun , and we enjoy having it ,” Luke said . “ I hope we can keep it going for a while , but of course , nothing lasts forever .”
• Stillwater has claimed a total
After hosting the Suburban East Conference Relays on Aug . 22 , the Stillwater girls swimming and diving team celebrated the start of Brian Luke ’ s 50th year as head coach . His 100th season overall will take place this winter when he begins his 50th season leading the Stillwater boys swimming and diving program . ( Contributed photo )
of seven True Team state championships , including six in a row from 2004 to 2009 and again in 2011 . The Ponies have qualified for True Team state each year since its inception in 2004 and placed fourth or better in 18 of the 19 years the event has been conducted . Stillwater has never placed lower than fifth at True Team state .
• The Ponies have captured 21
consecutive conference championships and 22 section championships in a row . Stillwater has also won the JV conference title 26 of the past 27 seasons .
• The Stillwater girls captured MSHSL state championships in 2005 , 2006 , 2008 and 2009 and have placed among the top five at state 15 of the past 19 seasons , including top-three finishes nine times . Athletes coached by Brian Luke have racked up 31 individual state titles ( 20 girls , 11 boys ) and nine state relay championships ( 8 girls , 1 boys ).
• In 49 previous seasons leading the Stillwater girls ’ program , Luke has compiled a 420-53-4 dual meet record with 31 conference championships .
When you add the 361-92-3 record leading the Stillwater boys , his overall mark is an impressive
781-145-7 with a total of 55 conference titles ( 31 girls , 24 boys ), 42 MSHSL section championships ( 24 girls , 18 boys ), four MSHSL state titles ( girls ) and seven True Team state championships ( girls ).
• Ponies coach Brian Luke was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Hall of
See Swimming , Page 9
VOTED BEST PIZZA 2 YEARS IN A ROW
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