Three years ago, a group of freshmen arrived at Karns City High School, waiting to write their own chapter in the storied history of the Gremlins boys track program.

As those same athletes prepare for graduation, they leave behind them an unprecedented run of success.

Seniors Chris Prokay, David Black, Tyler Callihan, Josh Fiscus, Travis Fiscus, Luke McClaine and Kevin Reeves have been part of 50 dual meets in their four seasons in the purple and gold.

The program's record in that stretch? An incredible 50-0.

"It's all about tradition," said Gremlins coach Don Black. "Kids come in as freshmen and they see what it takes to be successful, and it just carries over."

The last time Karns City lost a dual meet was in the 2001 to two-time defending PIAA Class AA team champion Clarion.

The Gremlins won their final three meets that season before the aforementioned group arrived on the scene in 2002.

What followed were identical records of 12-0 in 2002 and 2003, then 13-0 records in 2004 and this spring, putting the program's current unbeaten streak at 53 dual meets.

Along with its undefeated record this season, Karns City grabbed its fourth consecutive Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference championship.

But as sprinter David Black can attest, the impressive run is due to the efforts of many athletes, past and present.

"Being part of such a long winning streak is a great accomplishment," David Black said. "But I also realize that it was made possible by the guys that were here before us.

"People like my older brother D.J.," David Black added. "He was one of the seniors here when I was just a freshman and I know I didn't score many points that year. A lot of guys are part of this streak."

There's an adage that says, "Winning breeds winning." The Gremlins boys track team began proving it true long before its current unbeaten string.

"This is my 18th year coaching the team," said Don Black. "I'd say that we've had a total of nine losses in that time. A bad year for us is one or two losses.

"Everybody here gets fired up for a track meet," added the coach. "It has the atmosphere of Friday night football."

"It's a tradition at Karns City not to lose," said senior jumper Nathan Knox. "And we take pride in that."

With the long winning streak, it might seem that the pressure to perform well could wear on each athlete.

"We're all aware of the streak," said David Black. "And there is a bit of pressure on us at meets, but we still have fun because we know that if we perform like we're capable of, we will be successful."

And what do the seniors think of their younger teammates who will look to continue the streak and add to the program's tradition next season?

"I think they can keep the streak going," said Knox. "There will be a lot of letterwinners returning and the team should be strong in a lot of events."