Father Gabriel Richard High School senior catcher Conor Dishman's 58-game hit streak lasted more than a calendar year and broke a national record.

But if it were up to Fighting Irish coach Greg Lenhoff and assistant coach Tom Dishman, Conor’s father, the streak that ended last Saturday would have all been kept a secret.

True to the superstitions of baseball junkies, the coaches tried to conceal the streak from Dishman to avoid a jinx. When he broke the Michigan state record of 49, they made sure to inconspicuously get the game ball from the umpire.

“We kind of nonchalantly stopped the game and made sure to get the ball,” said Lenhoff.

Or so they thought.

Apparently, the coaches weren’t as coy as they thought. Dishman claims to have noticed their shenanigans, and though he said he didn’t really think about the streak while it was going on, he was well aware of it by the end.

Breaking a national record isn’t something that happens every day, but Dishman didn’t have much to say about the streak.

“Conor’s a pretty quiet, shy kid,” said Lenhoff. “I think he was kind of embarrassed by (the streak) because it took the attention off the team and on him.”

WHAT A RACKET

Huron honored legendary tennis coach Gordon Boettcher by hosting “Gordon Boettcher Day” at the Huron River Rat junior varsity tennis invitational on Saturday.

A sign was unveiled at the entrance to the courts in honor of the longtime teacher and coach.

Boetcher, who currently coaches Huron’s junior varsity girls and boys teams, was the varsity boys coach from 1974-87. During his tenure, the River rats won 10 Class A regional titles, four state titles (1978, 80, 81, 83) and finished as runners-up in 1982.

He was elected to the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996 and the River Rat Hall of Fame in 2001.

TALENT POOL

Though it may seem like spring sports just began, one will be ending for some teams next week when water polo district tournaments get underway.

Last year’s state runner-up Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Skyline and Pioneer will compete in a district with host Huron starting Friday, May 13. Walled Lake and Grand Blanc join the field.

The top four teams advance to regional competition May 20-21 in East Lansing.

The local district is as stacked as any of the six across the state. In the current Michigan Water Polo Association state poll, Huron is ranked No. 2, Saline No. 4, Dexter No. 5, Skyline No. 6 and Pioneer No. 9.

Have a story to tell about a local high school team? Email petercunningham@annarbor.com or call the prep sports desk at 734-623-2565.