The Freeport and Grove City girls track and field teams are working on a three-peat as district champions.

But the squads will pursue that lofty goal in different manners.

The Yellowjackets are two-time defending WPIAL Class AA champions, but have just one returning state qualifier in distance runner Rachael Kubeldis.

Freeport’s depth was the key to last year’s title defense and will be the Yellowjackets’ strength again this season.

“We really don’t have an unbeatable athlete,” said Freeport coach John Gaillot. “We just have a lot of really good athletes.

“I really believe our depth this year is just as good, if not better than last year.”

The distance trio of Kubeldis, senior Kayla Zboran and junior Rebecca Dudek will lead the way for the ’Jackets.

“They finished 1-2-3 quite a bit last year,” said Gaillot.

Grove City brings back five state qualifiers from last season. The Eagles will be guided by first-year head coach Lou Mariotti.

“We’ve been District 10 champions the past two years,” said Mariotti, formerly an assistant coach. “We’d like to compete and go for a third straight.”

Other first-time head coaches include Mars’ Larry Young — who is entering his 40th season of coaching track and field in some capacity — and Union’s Lacey Blose.

Blose was a former state qualifier at Redbank Valley, but understands coaching is an entirely different challenge.

“It will be a learning experience just as much for me as it is for the freshmen,” Blose said.

Following are capsule previews for the Butler County area girls track and field teams:

Class AAAButlerCoach: Annessa Steele, fourth seasonLast season: 5-2Returning state qualifiers: Ava Bonetti (senior, discus) and Kennedy Evans (senior, 300 hurdles)Impact athletes: Seniors Paige Allen (sprints), Alexis Swiergol (distance), Tori Sawhney (distance), Lauren Maher (high jump); juniors Kristen Knaff (sprints, jumps), Abby Fugh (hurdles)Steele says: “Our goal is to go undefeated in the section and make it to the WPIAL championship meet. We’re in a really strong section, so every meet is going to be close. It’s frustrating only two teams from our section go on to playoffs. I feel encouraged that if we can keep everyone healthy we’ll have a strong season.”

KnochCoach: Judy Geist, second seasonReturning state qualifiers: Sam Logan (senior, 800 run; 3,200 relay) and Jess Wise (senior, 3,200 relay)Impact athletes: Seniors Katie Jones (distance) and Tena Pettit (distance); juniors Mary Zellhart (throws) and Miranda McCune (throws) and sophomore Ashlyn Carlsson (middle distance)Geist says: “We lost some key athletes from last year. We have a lot of young girls and a lot of talent. I’m excited for these girls and what their future holds. Wins and losses don’t matter — just keep working and getting better.”

MarsCoach: Larry Young, first season as Planets head coach; 40th coaching track overallLast season: 6-1, made WPIAL Class AAA team playoffsReturning state qualifiers: Emily Thomas (senior, discus) and Lydia Dennis (junior, long jump, triple jump)Impact athletes: Seniors Erica Hans (sprints), Maggie McChesney (distance) and Kayla King (middle distance); sophomore Sabrina Edwards (hurdles)Young says: “Our goal is to win the section. The team will be pretty well balanced. They have a great attitude, they’ve been working hard in spite of the weather. The ultimate goal is to take two vans to the state meet between the boys and the girls.”

Seneca ValleyCoach: Ray Peaco, fourth seasonLast season: 5-4Returning state qualifier: Jayme Rutkowski (senior, 11th in javelin)Impact athletes: Seniors Emily Seibert (distance), Rachel McAndrew (jumps), Morgan Peaco (high jump), Melissa Lynskey (sprints), Kelci Yale (throws); juniors Taryn Latsko (middle distance), Angela Mignanelli (distance), Becky Paine (middle distance), Katie Gutmann (hurdles, sprints), Abbie Trzeciak (throws); sophomores Katie Lutz (distance), Claire Kocur (hurdles, jumps), Katelyn Stebbins (hurdles, jumps), Victoria Love (sprints), Chelsea Beck (throws)Peaco says: “We’re very young, very inexperienced and very eager. I’m excited about this group, not only for this year, but also future years.”

Grove CityCoach: Lou Mariotti, first seasonLast season: 6-1, District 10 Class AAA championsReturning state qualifiers: Lauren Decker (senior, 400 run, 400 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay), Abby Casalnova (senior, 400 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay), Courtney Corbin (senior, 100 dash, 400 relay), Kara McClain (senior, 3,200 relay), Mary Jaskowak (junior, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay)Impact athlete: Elizabeth Depew (senior, hurdles)Mariotti says: “We’re strong from sprints all the way to distance, but lost our top hurdler and our pole vaulters. We’re working with younger girls in the jumping area. We have some kids we hope can contribute.”

Class AAFreeportCoach: John Gaillot, second seasonLast season: 14-0, WPIAL Class AA championsReturning state qualifier: Rachael Kubeldis (senior, 1,600 run)Impact athletes: Senior Kayla Zboran (distance); junior Rebecca Dudek (distance); sophomores Megan Manke (middle distance, jumps), Taylor Hochbein (throws), Macy Smolic (throws)Gaillot says: “They work really hard. We’ve been successful and we’re going to be competitive.”

Slippery RockCoach: Tony Consbruck, 14th seasonLast season: 3-2Returning state qualifiers: Olivia Green (senior, distance), Emily Campbell (junior, fifth in shot put), Sarah Kadlubek (junior, distance), Heather Urbaniak (junior, 100 hurdles)Impact athletes: Seniors Morgan Siebka (distance), Michaela Ripley (hurdles); junior Aster Chmielewski (hurdles, sprints); sophomore Megan Stephenson (sprints)Consbruck says: “If everyone stays healthy, we can realistically shoot for the district title and multiple state medals. They’ve been developing and the younger ones have been good leaders. It speaks well to the future of the program.”

A-C ValleyCoach: Dave ShermanImpact athletes: Seniors Hanna Hetrick (throws), Kelsey Boocks (throws), Meredith Snyder (jumps, hurdles), Kelsey Milford (distance), Alexis Linamen (sprints, middle distance, jumps) and sophomore Michaela Callander (sprints)Sherman says: “We have a nice group of freshmen who should fit in nicely. In the past, we’ve had such low numbers. This is like a boom for us. Numbers wise, we’re going to be able to cover everything. We can compete.”

Karns CityCoach: Roger King, fourth seasonLast season: 8-0, KSAC championsReturning state qualifiers: Emily Schumacher (junior, 400 run), Taylor Brown (junior, 400 relay), Breann Wood (junior, 400 relay), Brittany Coyle (junior, 400 relay)Impact athletes: Senior Lacee Scheerbaum (distance); juniors Emily Jones (distance) and Caterina LoPresti (sprints); sophomores Emily LoPresti (jumps), Annie Hegedus (jumps) and Clara Stoughton (throws)King says: “We have quite a good group coming out this year. The ultimate goal is always to win District 9. I think we’ll get a lot to districts this year and I hope they do well. They’re a fun group.”

MoniteauCoach: Sue Scialabba, 14th seasonLast season: 7-1, second in KSACReturning state qualifier: Heather Porter (pole vault)Impact athletes: Seniors Ashley Brehm (javelin), Alex Kerr (throws), Maranda McGovern (distance), Chelsea Miller (distance, jumps), Nikki Yeckel (hurdles, sprints); juniors Brittany Boring (hurdles, sprints), Rachel Fleeger (throws, distance), Kristin McDeavitt (jumps, sprints), Michaela Mrozek (jumps, sprints), Emily Rider (distance); sophomores Alycia Brehm (hurdles, javelin), Stephanie McCall (jumps, sprints, javelin)Scialabba says: “The team is working very hard so far. The senior leadership is excellent. I like the numbers that we have this season. ... We have discussed goals as a team and will have to wait and see if they meet them.”

UnionCoach: Lacey Blose, first seasonLast season: 2-6Impact athletes: Seniors Bethany Adams (jumps) and Ashley Barger (sprints, jumps); juniors Sydney Varner (javelin) and Danielle Curry (throws); sophomore Tabby Dietz (sprints)Blose says: “We’re low on numbers, which makes it hard. We’re hoping to get personal bests and get people to districts.”