The following are previews of county girls track teams for the upcoming spring season:

Coach:Rod Harris, first yearLast season:11-2 overall, 6-1 in the section for second place; WPIAL Class AAA runner-upKey returners:Seniors Sarah Barnes (distance), Julie Bobby (sprints), Sarah Rehm (jumps), Leisl Soergel (middle distance); juniors Emily Chiappini (sprints, pole vault), Kate DeGeorge (sprints, middle distance), Tara Maxwell (throws), Elise McCaskey (sprints, jumps), Sarah Thiebaud (jumps); sophomores Jessica Tomsey (sprints, middle distance)Newcomers:Sophomore Kendall Butch (jumps, pole vault); freshmen Tess Crispin (sprints, middle distance) and Lea Renwick (sprints)Key losses:Melanie Buczko, Melanie Conrad, Krsytal Epps, Holly Geibel, Kristen Henry, Nicole Kennedy, Lynsi Renwick, Bethann Rosenbauer, Stephanie Schiebel, Amanda Schmidt, Renae SlaterStrengths:Jumps, sprints, throws, depth, versatilityWeaknesses:Loss of several top point scorersCoach's comment:"We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores. The team is built on a couple of seniors. We're looking forward to a solid year and really, really build on it and in a couple of years we'll be really strong."

Coach:Wayne Roccia, 24th yearLast season:6-2 overall, third place in the sectionKey returners:Seniors Brittany Cully (distance), Sara Danwalder (middle distance, relays), Susan Fletcher (middle distance, relays), Emily Ford (javelin), Jennifer Krysinski (jumps), Ashlee Zinkhann (sprints, relays); juniors Kim Chapman (hurdles, relays), Nikki Bryan (sprints), Jaylan Giuliano (sprints), Danielle Millett (hurdles), Carrie Wack (sprints, relays), Anastasia Williams (shot, discus); sophomores Jessica Rinaman (distance), Shannon Stauffer (pole Vault), Kim Steadham (sprints, relays), Kelsey Sullivan (middle distance), Ashley Turici (hurdles)Key losses:Alaina Ambrose, Molly Barrett, Allison Cummings, Sarah Doerfler, Jessica Scheller, Emily ThomasStrengths:Distance, hurdles, sprints, numbersWeaknesses:Lack of experience and depth in most of the fields events as well as middle distance.Coach's comment:"We have 103 girls working with us. We're starting with a pretty high number, and that's encouraging. The No. 1 thing with us is to get a lot of kids participating. We're happy to have them out. I think we have a solid girls team."

Coach:Tom Hoffmann, first yearLast season:6-6 overallKey returners:Seniors April Duncan (middle distance), Rachel Fertelmes (middle distance), Becky Lefever (pole vault), Kerri Melis (sprints, javelin), Hilary McCarren (distance), Ashley Riemer (distance), Lauren Wiefling (hurdles, jumps, javelin), Lindsey Wiefling (throws, jumps); juniors Sarah Reppermund (pole vault, high jump), Katie Rummel (hurdles, jumps); sophomores Maria Adler (sprints, jumps), Katie Carr (sprinter), Jen Vogel (sprints, jumps)Key losses:Erin Black, Amanda Cooper, Claire Fleeger, Kelli WeleskiStrengths:Senior experience and leadership, throws, relays, numbersWeaknesses:Forty-five of the 67 athletes are freshmen or sophomores, and the Knights need to find right places for the newcomers; lost Cooper, a WPIAL champion in the shot put.Coach's comment:"Our section is very tough. We're looking at a winning season, I think. We've gone 27 years without a losing record and intend to keep up with that. It's tough to compete with the Butlers, Seneca Valleys and North Alleghenys, but we'll do our darnedest."

Coach:Tim Tyler, 17th yearLast season:6-2 overallKey returners:Junior Nikki Frisbee (middle distance); sophomores Heather Carpenter (sprints), Val Schrott (hurdles), Julie Utz (sprints), Brittany Zaborowski (sprints). Seniors Amanda Lyons (distance) and Veronica Jeremko (utility) return after not competing as juniors.Key losses:Melanie Miller, Liz Natale, Jess Pegher, Erin Sondej, Haley WojdowskiStrengths:Distance, sprints, jumpsWeaknesses:Throws, lots of inexperienced depthCoach's comment:"We have a lot of strong girls coming back, but we have a lot of question marks. We have good leaders, girls that were here last year. We have a couple of seniors back who know what it takes. The young ones never question it. They just jump in. That's the key to our success."

Coach:Bill Dillen, 11th yearLast season:11-3 overall, 7-1 in the section for second place; third at the WPIAL Class AA championshipKey returners:Seniors Courtney Callas (middle distance), Shannon Reesman (distance), Michelle Vascik (throws); juniors Kerrie Clark (jumps), Lacey Cochran (sprints), Olivia Hess (middle distance); sophomores Marissa DeSalvo (throws), Emily Ferko (throws), Jamie Shockey (throws), Dana Turley (relay, hurdles)Key losses:Tiffany NicholsonStrengths:Field events, middle distance, sprints, jumps, 80 team membersWeaknesses:Large freshman group lacks experienceCoach's comment:"We always have the same goal: to win the section and get to the playoffs. This group of seniors has been with me for four years ,and we didn't have a large group from that year. We're well-balanced and have a nice mix."

Coach:Mike Kish, 25th seasonLast season:4-4 overallKey returners:Seniors Erin Cranmer-Hart (distance), Michelle Jancse (sprints), Nadya Mamoozadeh (distance), Krystian McCormick (pole vault, sprints, jumps), Tricia North (jumps, sprints, pole vault); juniors Robin Craig (middle distance, javelin), Beth Pritts (hurdles), Emily Skoczlas (distance); sophomores Abby Basta (hurdles), Janelle Hartzell (middle distance, distance), Casey McCaffrey (middle distance), Jodi Meling (throws), Lauren Tibbins (throws)Newcomers:Sophomore Michelle Crawford (jumps); freshman Jence Rhoads (sprints, jumps)Key losses:Bethany Kingston, Ricci SmithStrengths:Middle and long distance, pole vaultWeaknesses:Hurdles, throwsCoach's comment:"We were very competitive and have been in the past. We close a couple of close ones last year. That could be a problem again this year. We have a lot of good kids coming back We have a lot of holes to fill in, but we're not going to load up these kids up."

Coach:Mickey Hardenburg, first yearLast season:N/AKey returners:Seniors Emily Consbruck (middle/long distance), Rachel Littlefield (middle distance); sophomores Alex Black (distance), Nicolette Hickly (middle distance, relays), Cassie Johns (distance), Steffi Littlefield (throws), Katherine Myer (sprints), Cathleen Rigney (throws)Key losses:Alissa Bookwalter, Amanda Jaskowak, Tanya Vechnak, Gwen Oberlin, Shelby KammerdinerStrengths:Middle and long distance; good group of sophomores who helped squad as freshmenWeaknesses:Established depth; field eventsCoach's comment:"We have some depth. Most of the team is evenly matched. We have no standout performers, but all of them are working very hard. I've had no complaints."

Coach:Ed Kepple, 15th yearLast season:8-0, Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference championsKey returners:Seniors Ashley Craig (jumps), Katie Kepple (jumps), Alicia Kerschbaumer (jumps), Heather Pate (pole vault), Samantha Pistorius (sprints), Rose Stephenson (javelin, discus), Nicole Tascarella (throws), Ashley Zediker (hurdles); junior Jaime Reott (hurdles)Newcomers:Tausha Bowser (running events, pole vault)Stephanie Isacco (middle distance)Key losses:Lexie Armstrong, Amanda BrothersStrengths:Field events, sprintsWeaknesses:DistanceCoach's comment:"We have a good mix of younger girls and older girls. We had a few athletes who didn't come out, but we have some good young talent. We've won 21 straight meets and we hope to feed off that."

Coach:Sue Scialabba, second yearLast season:4-4 in the KSACKey returners:Seniors Whitney Kinman (jumps, hurdles), Krista Smith (distance), Marissa Wagner (jumps, hurdles); juniors Jill Davis (sprints), Samantha Gladd (pole vault), Alison Metz (distance), Danielle Patterson (javelin); sophomores Jodie Davis (distance), Amber Dillaman (jumps), Alyssa Deal (middle and long distance, high jump), Laura Kirschner (jumps, pole vault)Haley McFeaters (sprints, jumps)Key losses:Kelly Arblaster, Erin DillamanStrengths:Distance, jumps, strong freshman classWeaknesses:Throws, depth in several eventsCoach's comment:"I'm anticipating a good season. We have a lot of good freshmen who can come in and help out."

Coach:Randy Carmichael, 15th yearLast season:2-6 in the KSACReturning returners:Seniors Emily Mortimer (jumps), Leia Mortimer (throws), Tiffany Norbert (jumps), Kacie Stewart (throws), Briana Wensel (jumps, sprints); juniors Brianna Conner (throws), Asten Himes (middle distance), Tina Ruffner (pole vault); sophomores Alicia Blice (throws), Bethany Koch (middle distance), Andrea Mortimer (jumps, pole vault), Molly Scott (sprints), Allison Toven (sprints, middle distance)Newcomers: Freshmen Heather Booth (middle/long distance, Meagan Booth (middle/long distance), Tiffany Corle (distance), Janele Divins (middle distance)Key losses:Rachel Eaton, Amanda Radaker, Tiffany Hartle, Danna Corsini, Justi SmithStrengths:Sprints, distance, jumpsWeaknesses:Relying on underclassmen to fill in eventsCoach's comment:"What's really encouraging is we have 20 girls who are freshmen and we had a lot of them in junior high. Freshmen are an unproven commodity, but if their speed comes through that should help us. We should be able to compete."

Coach:Dave Sherman Jr.Last season:N/AKey returners:Seniors Kristen Henry (throws), Jessica Hickman (hurdles, relays); junior Cassie Morrison (throws)Key losses:Alicia Luke, Karen Sullivan, Callie YargarStrengths:ThrowsWeaknesses:Depth in most events, numbers to compete with other KSAC schools (but a new junior high program has 40 members)Coach's comment:"We have a lot of young kids. Our numbers are holding. We're in the low to mid-20s, and a lot of those are freshman and sophomores. It'll be tough. We have a good group of kids that are working hard. We hope to sneak up on a team this year."