Its been a while since a team other than the Bangor girls track team earned bragging rights as Scenic Bluffs Conference champions. Ten seasons to be exact.

Although an unprecedented 11 consecutive conference championship is attainable for the Cardinals, the team will have to overcome inexperience and smaller numbers than usual if they want to add another trophy to their collection.

“On paper, we’re underdogs,” Bangor coach Bruce Brewer said.

This year’s conference favorite? Cashton.

Even though the Cardinals outscored the Eagles in a season-opening meet at UW-La Crosse, the team relied on points from senior Steph Peter’s first-place finish in the pole vault — an event which isn’t held at the conference meet.

The team, however, is finding itself a bit shorthanded — the squad of 16 is considerably smaller from the 2008 team which boasted 24 athletes.

Those numbers haven’t deterred Brewer.

“The thing I’m real pleased with are the kids we have out.”

Carrie Miller, one of three seniors on the team, said the difference this year lies in the team leadership.

“We lost a lot of leaders last year,” Miller said. “We’re not used to being leaders, but Coach Brewer has been pushing us.”

Miller, who qualified for state in the 800-meter relay a year ago, said the team is doing well, but needs to continue to work on bringing its times down.

Coach Brewer admits the team will struggle in the distance events, but that the sprinters have been working harder than ever to stay competitive.

As for the field events, Brewer said Peters in the pole vault and Alyssa Riley in the long jump should both be competitive all year long.