Success seemed to be a central theme for area girls track and field teams last year as nine of 11 squads posted winning records.

With Seneca Valley and Freeport grabbing WPIAL runner-up honors and Mars (section) and Karns City (KSAC) finishing second in their divisions, those teams and others are poised to make another strong push.

"I think we have a real nice nucleus," said Raiders coach Wayne Roccia. "I think we'll be OK."

Butler, which has had a stranglehold on first or second place in the section the past several years, fell to third but is returning several key athletes.

"This year, we have a lot more depth to work with," said Tornado coach Rod Harris. "Last year we had a lot of athletes but were not deep."

An injury to Freeport thrower Michelle Vascik during basketball season curtailed her senior season.

It's those types of unfortunate events that can throw a season out of whack.

"Like anything, you hope you don't have any injuries, things that you can't count on," said Freeport coach Bill Dillen. "If we have Michelle, we win the whole thing."

Coach:Rod Harris, 2nd yearLast season:5-2, third place in the sectionTop returners:Seniors Emily Chiappini (sprints, pole vault), Amanda Bresnehan (distance), Kate DeGeorge (middle distance), Tara Maxwell (throws), Sara Thiebaud (jumps); juniors Kendall Butch (pole vault, jumps), Jessica Tomsey (middle distance); sophomores Tess Crispin (sprints), Lea Renwick (sprints), Hannah Rekich (hurdles)Strengths:Depth in all areas; jumps, pole vault, middle distanceWeaknesses:Inexperience from first-year athletesCoach's comment:"We didn't lose too many kids from last year and we got a lot of help with a lot of freshmen and a lot that haven't competed before. We're looking to have a great season."

Coach:Wayne Roccia, 25th yearLast season:12-4 overall, 6-1 in the section for second place, WPIAL runner-upsTop returners:Seniors Kim Chapman (hurdles), Nikki Bryan (sprints), Jaylan Giuliano (sprints), Danielle Millett (hurdles), Carrie Wack (sprints), Anastasia Williams (throws); juniors Jessica Rinaman (distance), Shannon Stauffer (PV), Kim Steadham (sprints), Kelsey Sullivan (middle distance), Ashley Turici (hurdles), Tasha Walls (hurdles), Lauren Bezier (middle distance), Danielle Diamond (throws), Heather Endler (jumps), Chelsey Pavlick (jumps); sophomores Marissa Behning (distance), DaLynn Mills (jumps, sprints), Annie Fiscus (hurdles), Alissa Gamelier (middle distance), Amanda Johnson (hurdles), Bria Nelko (PV), Veronica Pecora (800), Ali Triscuit (middle distance)Strengths:Large returning group from WPIAL finals team; high jump, hurdles, throws, sprintsWeaknesses:Middle distance, pole vault, lack of experience in some jumping eventsCoach's comment:"We lost a couple of fantastic kids who will be hard to replace. We have 90 girls coming out, so we have a lot of people to look at. I think we have a real nice, solid girls team."

Coach:Tom Hoffmann, 2nd yearLast season:3-6 overallTop returners:Seniors Sarah Reppermund (jumps), Katie Rummel (hurdles, jumps), juniors Maria Adler (sprints), Kristin Robb (sprints); sophomores Melissa Balsinger (hurdles, jumps), Sarah Cooper (throws), Beth Stock (throws), Kayla Bartell (distance)Strengths:Field events, hurdlesWeaknesses:Middle distance, distanceCoach's comment:"We lost some people in the field and in the jumps, but on the track, we're still the same. I'm pretty pleased."

Coach:Tim Tyler, 18th yearLast season:7-1, second place in the sectionTop returners:Senior Nikki Frisbee (middle distance); juniors Val Schrott (pole vault), Katie Dederer (distance), Heather Carpenter (sprints); Julie Utz (sprints); Brittany Zaborowski (sprints, middle distance), Jordan Bossong (throws); sophomores Megan Chakan (sprints), Megan Eidenshink (sprints), Laura Heltman (middle distance), Stephanie Yeo (distance)Strengths:Distance, middle distance, sprints, relaysWeaknesses:ThrowsCoach's comment:"We have some really good kids. If we were in Class AA, we'd be dynamite. We just don't have the numbers. We have 35 out this year, which is more than the past. It'll be tough when we face those bigger schools."

Coach:Bill Dillen, 12th yearLast season:12-1 overall, section champions, WPIAL runner-upTop returners:Seniors Lacey Cochran (sprints), Olivia Hess (middle distance), Kerrie Clark (jumps), Nikki Woitas (hurdles, relays); juniors Melanie Lutz (distance, relays), Kirsten Knappenberger (distance), Emily Ferko (throws), Marissa DeSalvo (throws), Jamie Shockey (throws), Dana Turley (hurdles, relays)Strengths:Sprints, throws, middle distance, hurdles, depth at all positionsWeaknesses:Lost two top middle distance runners (Courtney Callas, Shannon Reesman) and thrower (Michelle Vacsik)Coach's comment:"We're going in with some experience. It's always our goal to win the section and get to the playoffs. We're a very balanced team. We have a little depth in every area."

Coach:Mike Kish, 26th yearLast season:5-3 overallTop returners:Senior Robin Craig (javelin, middle distance), junior Abby Basta (hurdles), Janelle Hartzell (middle distance), Casey McCaffrey (middle distance), Jodi Meling (throws), Lauren Tibbins (throws)Strengths:Middle distance, distance, hurdlesWeaknesses:Throws, sprints, jumpsCoach's comment:"We have a pretty good nucleus coming back. We have a lot of young girls and I have no idea what they can do yet. We have 15 girls from the 800 to the 3,200 that we can try and use in other spots that would give us some balance."

Coach:Dave Gatewood, 1st yearLast season:N/ATop returners:Senior Nicole Greenwalt (distance); juniors Katherine Myer (sprints, relays), Steffi Littlefield (throws), Kathleen Rigney (throws); sophomore Jill Arnold (hurdles, relays)Strengths:1,600 relay, middle distance, throwsWeaknesses:DistanceCoach's comment:"It's very touch and go this season. We don't really know what we have. It's just a matter of what we can put together."

Coach:Ed Kepple, 16th yearLast season:7-1 in the KSAC for second placeTop returners:Seniors Jaime Reott (hurdles, relays), Genny Davis (distance), Jenny Conner (throws), Amy Anderson (throws); juniors Melissa Collier (sprints), Laura Kepple (distance), Adrienne Olszak (distance), Brittany Angert (distance), Anna Bullman (throws); sophomores Stephanie Isacco (middle distance), Samantha Pyle (jumps), Tausha Bowser (pole vault)Strengths:Sprints, distance, pole vaultWeaknesses:Jumps, throwsCoach's comment:"We lost a lot of talent from last year, a group of seniors and point-getters. We have 72 girls, which is really a lot for a small school. We have a lot of freshmen out we're really looking at. They have a really good work ethic and attitude."

Coach:Sue Scialabba, 3rd yearLast season:5-3 in the KSACTop returners:Seniors Jill Davis (hurdles, sprints), Alison Metz (distance), Danielle Patterson (javelin), Nichole Young (throws, pole vault); juniors Kristi Costa (jumps), Alyssa Deal (middle distance, distance), Amber Dillaman (jumps, javelin), Haley McFeaters (sprints); sophomores Amanda Gladd (hurdles, high jump), Amy Gladd (triple jump, middle distance), Kendra Hall (throws), Samantha Kristufek (high jump, sprints)Strengths:Distance, middle distance, javelin, shot put, jumpsWeaknesses:Sprints, relaysCoach's comment:"Alyssa Deal is the only returning member of the team who has state track meet experience. She qualified in the 800 during her sophomore year and the 1,600 during her junior year, where she placed fifth overall. We are hoping to improve on last year's dual meet record. We hope to qualify more athletes to the state track and field meet."

Coach:Randy Carmichael, 16th yearLast season:3-5 in the KSACTop returners:Senior Asten Himes (hurdles); juniors Kayla Hepler (jumps, middle distance), Bethany Koch (middle distance), Andrea Mortimer (pole vault, throws), Allison Toven (jumps, throws), Molly Scott (sprints, jumps); sophomores Meagan Booth (middle distance), Heather Booth (middle distance), Tiffany Corle jumps, sprints), Janele Divins (middle distance), Ashley Montgomery (hurdles), Mackenzie Shirey (pole vault, jumps), Amber Wyant (sprints, hurdles), Danyelle Painter (throws)Strengths:Jumps, at least one strong performer in each eventWeaknesses:Depth at middle distance, pole vault (Tina Ruffner lost due to ACL tear)Coach's comment:"I'm hoping for a decent season. We have a lot of returning letterwinners. We'll be pretty tough, but this team will get better as the season goes on."

Coach:Dave Sherman, Jr.Last season:N/ATop returners:Senior Cassie Morrison (throws); juniors Alisa Snyder (middle distance), Sara Doran (middle distance), Amanda Schnell (distance); sophomore Erika Hetzler (hurdles)Strengths:Middle distanceWeaknesses:Throws, jumps, sprints, depth at all positionsCoach's comment:"It seems like in the past few years, we've just tried to get someone to districts. This year, it's like we're trying to build something. We're pushing 20 kids, which is fairly decent for us. This year there's more of a positive attitude. I'm looking forward to that."