DAGSBORO — Winning has become a tradition at Indian River High School.

“It’s just an outstanding and great accolade for our athletic teams to be at that level,” Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann said. “I really think it shows that we strive for competition.”

With athletes displaying tremendous growth in the spring season, Fuhrmann said the school is now in the running for the Founders Trophy — the most successful Henlopen Conference Southern Division athletic program in the 2007-2008 school year. It would be the fourth consecutive year for IR to hold the trophy.

Henlopen champs

Indian River’s most successful team of the spring was the Henlopen Conference champion baseball team. At 16-4 overall and 12-3 in the conference, the Indians secured their second Henlopen championship in school history with the first being earned in 2005.

“(The success) is because we’re sticking together, playing well all season and we have good teamwork,” coach Howard Smack said. “Teamwork and a good attitude lead to success.”

Since clinching the title last week, IR has run into a wall, losing three straight games to three potential playoff teams. But Smack believes the team overcome the difficulties and have a solid run in the post season.

As for the success of IR this spring, Smack said the credit should go to those who dedicate themselves to the game.

“You can’t just show up and go out on the field,” he said. “You’ve got to put the work in. Some kids who don’t play winter sports start preparing for the spring season right after football. They are working out, hitting or pitching and then it just mushrooms in the spring.”

The Indians hope to continue their strong season with a deep run in the state tournament, which is slated to commence Saturday, May 24. IR, who should receive a Top 5 seed, will likely host an opening-round game.

First in school history

What could’ve been the most surprising title of the spring season is the division championship by the boys tennis team. With no seniors and no one with more than a year’s experience on the roster, coach Patsy Ciacala’s squad navigated its way through the Henlopen Conference to finish with a10-2 conference record.

“The kids, of course, are elated,” Ciacala said. “I’m more interested in the fact that they are learning how to play.”

With most of his varsity players entering their second season on the tennis court, Ciacala said the team’s learning curve continues to grow.

With another year of experience under their belts, he believes they will be even better in 2009.

“Next year, we are going to be a force to contend with,” he said. “I’ll make that prediction now. It’s the first time in 20 years we’ve had a division championship brought to IR. It definitely gives them their props.”

When the team defeated Seaford 3-2 in the second match of the season, junior Brandon Young said the team started to believe in themselves.

“That was a pretty big surprise for us,” he said. “We thought we were going to get steamrolled, but we really picked up a lot of pace with that.”

They did. In fact, they went on to win four more consecutive matches before suffering their first loss of the season to Henlopen Conference champions Dover High School. In those four wins, was a victory over Caesar Rodney High School, the first in school history.

“That was huge for us,” Young said. “I think that’s what clinched it for us and it gave us a lot of confidence.”

Fifth in a row

Spring at Indian River wouldn’t feel the same without a Southern Division championship by the girls soccer team. Securing its fifth in a row, the Indians boasted a 14-2 overall and 12-1 conference record this spring.

The year-after-year dominance in the Henlopen South satisfies coach Steve Kilby, but it doesn’t mean anything if they don’t start performing better in the state tournament, he said.

“It’s nice to know that we can challenge for division championships each year,” he said. “Beyond that, we want to make some kind of move in the state tournament.”

The Indians have earned the fourth seed in this year’s state tournament and faced Archmere Tuesday in the opening round.

Kilby is not only pleased with the success of his team, but also with the school’s athletic programs.

“Any person who comes in this building will see that the kids have a commitment to academics and athletics,” he said. “It definitely carries over onto the sports field. They are all top-notch kids and take care of business in and out of school.”

nroth@dmg.gannett.com 302-537-1881, Ext. 206