Krasny: A Trailblazer for NYU-Poly Athletics

BROOKLYN, NY -  Three years ago, junior mens tennis player Yan Krasny (Far Rockaway, NY) found himself doing what many other incoming freshmen at then Polytechnic University were doing: attending orientation. But, for the Brooklyn Tech graduate, there was an impromptu meeting with assistant men's tennis coach Rich Migdalski which would have a profound impact on Krasny's athletic career at Polytechnic.

"I met with Rich at orientation and he asked me to come to tryouts," said Krasny. And why wouldn't Migdalski, when he found out Krasny played for Brooklyn Tech, which twice competed in the Mayors Cup and was New York City Champs. He played in the individual city championships twice and placed 3rd in New York State his senior year.

After his first practice with the team, he remembers the coaches saying he was likely the #2 player, but that wouldn't last long. "I was a little nervous about being in the #1 spot," Krasny reminisces. "I remember my first loss against Hunter...it was cold and I cramped up. I lost in the third set."

But losing is anything but normal for Krasny, especially in the Skyline Conference. Through the completion of his sophomore year, Krasny had never lost a Skyline match (14-0). In fact he'd never lost a set. Those incredible accomplishments have landed Krasny as a unanimous pick for the Skyline Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Year for the past two seasons — an accomplishment no other Fighting Blue Jay has ever achieved in any sport.

"There's unknowns this year," replied Krasny when asked before the season about his impressive 14-0 run in conference play. "A freshmen could come out of nowhere," referring to the possibility that at any school a new player may come in to the #1 spot and challenge Krasny. "There's a lot of pressure. You don't want to lose when you have never lost."

But instead it would be a senior that would end Krasny's streak and it would be against NYU-Poly's rival, St. Joseph's (LI).  Last year, the two teams battled in the Skyline Championships with St. Joseph's outhitting the Jays 5-3 for the title. Krasny won his match that day beating Dan Celentano. He had no idea his future opponent would be Erik Forsythe who would win at #2 singles that day.

Forsythe would lose this year's opening set 3-6, but battled back to take the second from Krasny 6-1. In the tiebreaker, Forsythe ran away with the 10-1 win and handed Krasny his first career loss in the Skyline.

Coaches often say that losing makes you appreciate winning that much more. Since that loss, the computer engineering major has rebounded, winning his Skyline match against Sage. But for this two-year captain and outstanding student, there is one thing that Krasny would take over another personal Skyline winning streak: a Skyline Conference Team Championship.

"It'd be great to beat [St. Joseph's]," remarked Krasny.

And if the Jays get a second chance in the upcoming Skyline playoffs, you better believe Krasny will do his part.