Moniteau's boys track and field team came together this season to post its first undefeated season in six years. Moniteau is one of the favorites to win the District 9 Championships Friday at Brookville.

CHERRY TWP — The best teams in the history of Moniteau's boys track and field program recently welcomed another to the exclusive group.

With an 88-62 victory over Redbank Valley May 9, the Warriors capped a perfect 10-0 season.

It is the program's first undefeated campaign — and the uncontested Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title that came with it — since 2011.

“Moniteau track is thick with tradition,” said Warrior coach Patrick Rumbaugh, who ran for Moniteau before graduating in 2003. “There was a string beginning in the 1960s when the boys teams here went undefeated for eight straight years. We saw an opportunity to go undefeated and win the league this season. It's a great group of kids. They bought in and went all out.”

The Warriors rolled through their first eight meets this spring, with their closest test coming in a 92-58 win over Karns City. An inter-district date with Knoch May 2 yielded a close 78-72 win, but both the undefeated season and conference crown were still up for grabs when Moniteau traveled to New Bethlehem to face Redbank Valley.

When it became apparent that the Warriors would prevail, a sense of achievement spread throughout the team.

“It was a very satisfying feeling,” said junior distance runner Steven Fawcett. “We all put a lot of hard work in.”

“That was a great meet with Redbank,” added Rumbaugh. “At the end, there were bodies lying all over the field. That's the way a track meet should be, everybody giving it their all.”

A bit of retribution played a part in Moniteau's success this season. Last year, a loss to Karns City kept the Warriors from standing atop the KSAC. Preparation for this spring began long before the meets rolled around.

“A lot of our kids did indoor over the winter,” said Rumbaugh. “They wanted to get after it. Competition within the team has helped tremendously. In some events, they were duking it out to see who goes to the District 9 Championship Meet. You can only send your top three in each individual event.”

But spirited rivalries on the team have not dulled the camaraderie.

“Being part of this team is so much fun,” said senior thrower Dillin Anderson. “We challenge each other, but there are no team conflicts. There are only good vibes and everybody is excited about track and field.”

Dalton and Dillin Anderson are captains of the team, along with juniors Emmanuel McLean and Jake Patton and sophomore James Parenti.

“We try our best to show the younger guys how much work you have to put in to be successful,” said the versatile Patton, who competes in both hurdle events, the triple jump and in the 4x400 relay.

The District 9 Class AA title meet will be held Friday at Brookville High School. The event offers the Warriors the opportunity to add to this season's list of achievements with a possible district team championship.

“We've talked about it,” said Rumbaugh. “Brookville is deep and loaded and Kane is always in the conversation, but if we go there and perform the way we're capable of, we have a shot.”

“We've had a lot of guys step up this year,” said senior Dalton Anderson, who owns the best javelin throw in Butler County this spring at 180 feet, eight inches. “Brookville is good, but I think we have better athletes.”

Regardless of what happens Friday, Rumbaugh is hoping this season's effort will have a positive impact on the program moving forward.

“Winning is contagious and we're hoping to get more kids out,” he said. “It's hard to pitch running for fun, but every aspect of track and field helps with other sports.”