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It's a big number, 200. At least in terms of career coaching victories it is.

But when you compare it to the number of lives impacted by the man who reached that milestone, it's not a very big number at all.

Thursday, a little more than two weeks after saying goodbye to the love of his life, wife Tiffany, after a 15-year battle with cancer, Cedar Crest track and field coach Rob Bare recorded his 200th career head coaching win with the Falcon boys, a significant achievement to say the least.

More: Column: There was no tougher competitor than Tiffany Bare

It came in a decisive 116-34 victory over friendly county rival Lebanon at Cedar Crest High School and under decidedly bittersweet circumstances since Tiffany wasn't there, at least in the flesh, to share it. It had been her goal and her wish to live long enough to see her husband reach 200 victories. Also on Thursday, the Cedar Crest girls defeated Lebanon, 94-55.

But she was still no doubt looking down on the track at Earl Boltz Stadium and seeing what she and many others have seen for every one of Bare's 25 years at the helm, something bigger and more important than victories - a passionate, relentlessly positive mentor of young men cheering on and motivating his team with an unrivaled level of enthusiasm. 

It is that spirit that has breathed life into the Cedar Crest track and field program for the last quarter century. Thursday, and since TIffany's passing, it was his team and fellow coaches breathing life back into Rob Bare.

He has been rocked by the loss of his soulmate, but he's still got his team, which includes son Zach, and they have him. Always.

"I know that she's with me today, and I know that she's with the team," Bare said, choking back tears. "It's tough, I miss her. But I tell you what, these guys and girls on this team have just embraced everything that she believed in. Never giving up, being positive. Tiff wasn't about wins and losses, Tiff was about doing your best and if the other team was better than the other team was better. As long as you did your best, she always told the kids that they should be proud of themselves."

Bare himself has always pushed his athletes to try to do something historically significant. When they learned their next victory would be his 200th, well, the master motivator didn't have to do anymore motivating.

"When I walked into the locker room today they were clapping and cheering," Bare said. "They were just salivating at the chance to be historically significant. Every year our coaching staff challenges our team to be historically significant. It doesn't mean you're going to win a championship, but it means that you're going to be remembered. And this team will be remembered for embracing Tiffany's spirit." 

And also for embracing their coach's spirit. That was in evidence all afternoon, including during a spirited post-meet celebration and even through simple gestures such as distance runners Jake Barrett and Tommy Bildheiser crossing the finish line at the same time to tie for first in the 800 meters as a tribute to Bare.

"We figured that we'd be able to win and go 1-2, so we just figured we'd do something for him since he's been through a lot," Barrett, a senior, said. "We just wanted to do it for him. We're hoping he saw it.

"To have (200 victories) happen now and be a positive in his life is just really great. He's always a ray of positivity even on his worst day. He's more positive than all of us. He's always gonna tell it to you straight and encourage you."

Even his rival coaches can't find a bad word to say about him.

"I know it's supposed to be a rivalry and stuff, but I have a lot of respect for Rob and what he does," Lebanon coach Nick Watt said. "He's such a good guy, and knowing what he's been through this year and everything he's accomplished...I hate losing more than I like winning but it definitely takes the sting off knowing this is a big accomplishment for him. I wish him nothing but the best. He's a great guy."

And not one to puff his chest out over his accomplishments. He'd rather spread the credit around to all of the athletes and coaches he's worked with over the years, including throwing coach Tim Brown, who's been on Bare's staff all 25 years.

"I've had longevity on my side, and I haven't screwed up. At least nothing major," Bare said with a laugh. "My assistant coaches through the years have been amazing. I've got a staff of 10 and they are just top notch. They just embrace what Cedar Crest Track and Field is all about. And obviously we've been blessed with great student-athletes. Just been blessed."

He was reminded of those blessings when Tiffany passed, as former athletes from a decade or more ago and coaching rivals re-emerged into his life to offer condolences and support.

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It was an example of the 'Iron sharpens Iron' mantra that he has passed on to this year's team, which focuses on making each other better no matter the circumstances.

"The outpouring of support - 'Iron sharpens Iron'," Bare said. "That's how these people live their lives. I couldn't do it without them." 

Not that it's easy. The pain is there and it's fresh.

"I lost my best friend, I lost the person who I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with," he said, tears welling. "It's tough. But I'm not gonna sit at home - how much fun is that? I gotta get out here, I gotta teach, I gotta coach. I can only run and bike and lift weights so much." 

But with help from his family, most notably eldest son Matthew, who is overseas serving in the military but was back for Tiffany's funeral, and Zach, a sophomore distance runner who brought a wide smile to his dad's face through his effort in the 4 x 400 relay on Thursday, he will persevere.

"He's got Tiff's drive, he's got Tiff's caring and he looks exactly like her," Bare said of Zach. "Every day I look at him, I see her. We did goals last night and on the side of his goal sheet it said #TeamTiff. It's awesome."