It seems like those that emerge out of Section 3-AAA are battle tested when it comes to WPIAL championships.

Butler has laid claim to the past two crowns, but getting past teams like North Allegheny and Seneca Valley are never easy.

“Our section, with North Hills, NA, Shaler, Pine-Richland, everyone in the section has really good athletes,” Butler coach Annessa Steele said. “You just keep working hard and hopefully you’ll get through the section, the playoffs.

“Last year, it came down to a couple of points against Hempfield and it came down to a couple of points in the indoor season,” Steele added.

The following are previews for the upcoming girls track and field season:

ButlerCoach: Annessa Steele, third year

Last season: 12-0 overall, 7-0 in the section, section and WPIAL champions

Top returners: Seniors Lexi Frost (hurdles, jumps), Paige Rittelmann (high jump, relays), Jasmine Bailey (sprints), Nicole Andler (hurdles), Ashley Grooms (middle distance); juniors Ava Bonetti (throws), Kennedy Evans (sprints), Natalie Barkus (javelin), Paige Allen (sprints), Lauren Maher (high jump), Becky Arturo (pole vault), Alexis Swiergol (distance, middle distance), Tori Sawhney (middle distance, distance)

Strengths: Experience, depth in all positions

Weaknesses: x

Coach’s comment: “This is probably the largest team ever (113) which is good because there’s so much talent and a lot of depth, but the only issue is who’s not traveling to the road meets.”

Seneca ValleyCoach: Ray Peaco, fifth year

Last season: 5-4 overall

Top returners: Seniors Madison Kozlowski (middle distance), Kristen McKinney (distance); Mikayla Pollaci (sprints), Shelby Resch (middle distance), Natalie Richard (middle distance, hurdles); juniors Brittany Burley (jumps, throws), Grace Clarke (hurdles); Maggie Goodman (distance), Melissa Lynskey (sprints), Rachel McAndrew (jumps), Morgan Peaco (high jump), Jamie Rutkowski (javelin), Ally Seibert (distance), Emma Wallace (jumps); sophomores Kayli Kumanchik (sprints), Taryn Latsko (middle distance), Jessica Morris (sprints), Rebecca Paine (middler distance), Abby Trzeciak

Strengths: Middle distance

Weaknesses: Throws, jumps, pole vault

Coach’s comment: “We’ve been a little over .500 the past few years. We hope some of the new kids coming in and those who are back will help us be better. The ninth graders look promising.”

KnochCoach: Judy Geist, first year

Last season: 5-3 overall

Top returners: Seniors Emilee Hertweck (middle distance), Rebekah McCorkle (throws), Tess Haverstick (middle distance); juniors Jessica Wise (jumps, sprints), Katie Jones (distance), Melissa Spreng (hurdles), Samantha Logan (sprints), Tena Pettit (distance); sophomore Miranda McCune (throws)

Strengths: Sprints, hurdles, distance, throws

Weaknesses: Middle distance

Coach’s comment: “Last year, the spotlight was one four or five girls. This year everyone is training and working hard. If the young girls do what they can do, it’ll help. That’s our strength and our weakness. “

MarsCoach: Deb Knox, fifth year

Last season: 6-2 overall

Top returners: Seniors Mani Brueckner (middle distance, javelin, hurdles), Kristen Check (sprints), Salina Smialek (distance); junior Erica Hans (middle distance), Sam Eckstein (middle distance), Liz Carpenter (pole vault); Lydia Dennis (jumps)

Strengths: Jumps, middle distance

Weaknesses: Throws

Coach’s comment: “Again, I have expectations and they are high. Whether we achieve them, we’ll do the best we can. We’re going to after winning the section and give it everything we’ve got. There’s always a possibility.”

FreeportCoach: John Gaillot, first year

Last season: N/A

Top returners: Aly Moore (relays, high jump), Kayla Zboran (distance), Lynsey Gugino (high jump, hurdles), Bronte Soul (jumps), Caitlin Chaffman (field); Junior Taylor Hochbein (middle distance)

Strengths: Jumps, field events

Weaknesses: Experienced depth

Coach’s comment: “I think the core of our seniors will get us multiple events. The young kids are working hard. How we do depends on how fast the young kids can grow ... We hope to contend for a playoff position. It’s expected. We just want to continue what coach (Bill) Dillen did.”

Slippery RockCoach: Tony Consbruck, second year

Last season: 3-2 overall

Top returners: Seniors Jessica Bennett (distance), Bre Northcott (throws), Ali Lotz (jumps), Anna Cessar (distance); junior Olivia Green; sophomores Aster Chmielewski (sprints, hurdles), Heather Urbaniak (hurdles, jumps)

Strengths: Throws, hurdles, distance

Weaknesses: Sprints, jumps

Coach’s comment: “We’ve got quality, but not quantity (28). We’ll have several all-district athletes and some all-region and state athletes, but we’ve got to stay healthy. If one person goes down, all the relays go down.”

Grove CityCoach: Mickey Hardenburg, fifth year

Last season: Region runner-up, District 10 champion

Top returners: Seniors Evyn Seldon (distance), Kelly Baglia (pole vault), Eliza Lowe (hurdles), Vanessa Sprando (throws); juniors Abby Casalnova (middle distance), Lauren Decker (middle distance), Elizabeth Depew (hurdles), Lindsey Knaby (middle distance, distance); sophomore Mackenzie Fagan (jumps)

Strengths: Middle distance, distance, hurdles

Weaknesses: Field events

Coach’s comment: “Our classes are almost even, which is nice. We have quite a few letterwinners who will set a good example ... I think we should at least compete for the title. We’re well-rounded and everyone is ready. They have a great attitude. What a difference when everyone works hard.”

Karns CityCoach: Roger King, third year

Last season: 9-0 overall, KSAC champions

Top returners: Seniors Emily Olszak (sprints), Ally Olkowski (throws); juniors Samantha Bailey (throws), Lacee Scheerbaum (distance); sophomores Breanna Wood (sprints), Emily Schumacher (middle distance), Emily Jones (distance), Abby Wetzel (hurdles)

Strengths: Sprints, middle distance

Weaknesses: Field events

Coach’s comment: “We’re a very young group ... They’ve shown a lot of heart and with their work ethic, they’ll be a good group down the road. they are far ahead this year than last year, I’m happy with the team so far.”

MoniteauCoach: Sue Scialabba, 10th year

Last season: 6-3 overall

Top returners: Seniors Katie Brehm (throws), Amanda Sloan (hurdles, high jump), Krista Snyder (jumps, javelin), Nikki Yeckel (hurdles); juniors Ashley Brehm (javelin, distance), Chelsea Miller (high jump, distance), Heather Porter (pole vault, jumps); sophomores Brittany Boring) sprints, jumps), Maranda McGovern (distance, javelin), Emily Rider (middle distance)

Strengths: Field, distance

Weaknesses: Sprints, lack of depth in all events

Coach’s comment: “We will have an early test with Clarion and Karns City during the first week of the season. We are hoping to be competitive in every meet and continue to improve throughout the season. We have a good core of upperclassmen and everyone is working very hard.”

UnionCoach: Tisha Frederick, second year

Last season: 1-8 overall

Top returners: Seniors Daneka Stuart (hurdles), Sierra Smith (pole vault, high jumps, sprints), Stephanie Solida (throws), Allyssa Lewis (throws), Jessica Brink (javelin); sophomore Danielle Curry (throws)

Strengths: Throws

Weaknesses: Distance

Coach’s comment: “”We’re weak on the track because we’re young and lack experience. We have 29 girls. We want to qualify as many of the girls as we can and try to win a few more meets this year.”

A-C ValleyCoach: Dave Sherman Jr.

Last season: N/A

Top returners: Juniors Meredith Snyder (high jump), Emily Quaill (hurdles, javelin), Hanna Hetrick (throws), Kelsey Boocks (throws)

Strengths: Field events

Weaknesses: Sprints, distance

Coach’s comment: “We have about 19 girls out but a lot of new faces. We’re pretty young and inexperienced.”