Not that I want to talk football on here, but from 97-01 SE went 2-43 in football. So, the last few years have been "successful" I would say.
Track is different than every other sport, so when people try and compare regular season, state qualifying etc... it is rather pointless and annoying. Maybe they should be winning more meets at this point. And I do not know why they haven't had all their good guys go at the same meet yet, but it really does not matter. Which is different than basketball, football etc... If you're top 2-3 ball players aren't playing together on a consistent basis come late season there will be some cohesiveness issues. Which, as we all know from watching and playing, does affect a team sport. Track is not the same, it is not a team sport in the traditional sense. Whether the stud 400 meter runner is running early season meets and the top 3200 guy is sitting out will not affect how they compete in those events late in the season. And I mean that in a cohesive manner.
In terms of SE athletics getting better of the last 7-8 years. #1 I would say is better coaching. The track and football teams have had significantly better coaching than the late 90s-early 00s. #2 would be just flat out better athletes. Hell, I was one of the fastest 400 meter runners on the team for 2 years and I was a distance guy. Im faster over 400 now and would bet at least 5 of the current team members would embarass me. That's just track. #3 would be the attitude and work ethic, from what I've witnessed and heard second hand. Back in my day we were all worried about y2k ending the world. ha.
More importantly, success breeds success. When you see the kids in front of you win this or do well at that, you want to continue to do that and improve on that. Every team will have it's lulls of course.