-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Southeast Valley Logan Jaeschke hands off the baton to Colin Johnson during 1A boys Sprint Medley Finals on Saturday inside Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — The 2026 track and field season was one to remember for the Southeast Valley boys program.

Not only did they claim the first state championship in school history, they had the highest placing relays in a Jaguar track uniform during the Class 2A portion of the meet from Drake Stadium.

On the third and final day, the Jaguars showed their incredible skill, finishing second in the sprint medley relay and third in the shuttle hurdle relay. The runner who won that state title, Colin Johnson, was part of both quartets, as was Alex Burger.

“I’m extremely proud of the whole team and what they accomplished this year,” SEV head coach Travis Nuss said. “The depth we had was truly beyond my belief. To end this weekend with Colin winning the state title and having the two relays placing second and third, was a great way for those guys to finish the year — especially (seniors) Kayden (Showers) and Colin.”

Showers and Johnson were joined by juniors Burger and Logan Jaeschke on the sprint medley to start Saturday, as they put together a season-best time of 1:33.82 to finish only behind Grundy Center, who set a new 2A state record at 1:31.37, for the title.

“These last three days have been so much fun,” Johnson said. “Just being able to be with friends all weekend while also going and doing what I love to do, which is track and all of my other sports at Southeast Valley. Those are the best memories I have and the stuff I take with me through life.

“Coach (Mike) Swieter for all the weights that I did through all of the years working to get better, wrestling with Coach (Jeff) Miller, who taught me how to push through the pain and it will all be worth it in a couple of minutes. To my baseball coaches showing us how to work as a team and have fun, to track with Coach Nuss and Matt Hanson. All of the work put in and the relationships made along the way have made this experience so much better.”

A few hours later, Burger, Casey Hanson, Kolton Ollinger and Johnson ended the meet with a bronze in the shuttle hurdle relay in 59.47. The quartet clocked the second-fastest prelim time at 59.80 earlier in the meet.

Both Hanson and Ollinger are also juniors.

Owen Nuss, another 11th-grader, placed 21st in the 800-meter run in 2:03.79.

“We have a great coaching staff that I have to give a shout out for everything they did this season, as none of this would be possible without any of them,” Nuss said. “Coach Hanson gets a lot of credit for the hurdles, Coach (Gary) Balk with the throws and Coach (Bethany) Rippentrop-Nuss with the improvement of our mid-distance/distance runners.

“Personally, to accomplish this in my 25th year with our youngest son, Owen, on the team and my wife, Bethany Rippentrop-Nuss, as an assistant, has made it extra special.”

The Jaguars finished ninth overall with 24 points, as they captured 10 team championships during the season.