The varsity boys track and field team has won 11 conference championships since they started competing at the varsity level in 1996. That is more than any other Suburban West Conference member. They have added that eleventh championship in 2011.

The Mustangs finished a solid 16 points ahead of second place Eureka to capture the title, posting 128.3 points overall.

“That is what we strive for all season, what we work for,” Matt Nienhaus, boys varsity track and field head coach, said.

The track team has had their morale boosted after winning that meet.

“We have been crazy pumped up and it’s a whole new look for the team,” Damian Johnson, junior, said.

Johnson participated in three events at the conference meet: the 4×100 relay, where they placed third; the 4×200 relay, where they placed fourth; and the 4×400 relay, which they got disqualified in.

The varsity boys track and field team won their first conference championship since the 2008 track and field season, when the current seniors were freshman.

“I know how big of a deal it is to end with a championship for [the seniors],” Nienhaus said.

Taron Street, senior, did not participate in the conference meet, but was district champion for the 300 hurdles this year and last year. Street has been on the team for all four years of high school.

“Even though I didn’t compete, it feels great,” Street said. “It really feels excellent and we beat Lafayette, who got second, and now we get to rub it in their faces.”

Street said track has been his dream since middle school, calling the victory “just perfect.”

Nienhaus mentioned that the morale has been high since the boys team won the conference championship.

“We’re doing well and this is a good indication for districts,” Nienhaus said. “Everyone is extraordinarily excited for what we have done.”

The track team also placed fifth in the district meet sending seven athletes to the sectional meet. MHS also brought home two district champions, Jeff Klein in the long jump and Taron Street in the 300 hurdles.

As well as those two qualifying for the sectional meet, the following also qualified: D’Autrail Wafford in the triple jump, Taron Street in the 110 hurdles, Noah Kauppila in the 3200 meter run, Jeff Orf and Nick Reel in the 800 run.

Along with those individual events the 3200 relay qualified consisting of Jeff Orf, junior, Noah Kauppila, freshman Nick Reel, senior and Adam Roderique, sophomore. Reel was able to qualify in his first conference championship track meet ever.

The Mustangs were able to knock off seven conference opponents in combined events, and will continue their season as they enter playoffs.