When the gate opens on this year's track and field season, the Whitehall girls will be ready to sprint into action.

This year they'll be counting on a strong returning class of sprinters to guide the way this season. That group is led by four-year sprinter Decontee Krayee who is coming off a strong indoor season. The senior sprinter will also supply leadership among a talented crop of runners that includes returning seniors Kourtney Cunningham and Ivanna Jones, as well as another returnee, sophomore Kylee Cunningham, and freshman Amanda Crooks.

Krayee's experience will be counted on to help the Zephs achieve success again this season as she'll be a force in both the 100 and 200 meters.

"She's been doing it for four years now and nobody works any harder than she does," said Sebesta.

Last year they finished 5-4, and head coach James Sebesta said that this year the girls' numbers have significantly increased with 95 girls set to take the track this season. Sebesta said that's the most he's ever had during his tenure, giving him much-needed depth heading into the dual meet season inside the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Jones is also a talented jumper who will most likely run middle distances along with the sprint relays. Sebesta said he can plug her in a lot of places since her versatility makes her valuable in a number of events.

Both Kourtney and Kaylee Cunningham will provide a strong work ethic as they look to earn points in both sprint races, while newcomer Crooks will also contribute.

While they lost two-time state qualifier Angela Stella, the middle distances will see the return of juniors Alexandra Dorner and Anna Gallina, along with senior LeAnna Cruz, all of whom will provide experience and leadership among the middle contingent. Newcomers Jessica Kroboth, a freshman, and Kassidy Cunningham, another freshman, along with junior Tiffanie Hopkins, will give the Zephs still more firepower in the 400 and 800. Additionally, Sebesta sees a role for senior Madison Walker among this group of talented runners.

Sebesta said that both the sprints and the middle distances are an area where he sees a lot of potential

"They're all going to help us," said Sebesta. "We have a bunch of hard workers in that group. They're going to be successful with just the work they put in."

The distance races will once again feature Emily Brand and Heather Busch, two seniors who have been pillars in the mile and two mile since their freshman years. Additionally, senior Kelsey Antonchak will be counted on among that group to lead a strong corps that includes sophomore Hannah Gill who got her feet wet last season.

All four competed indoors this season, and Sebesta said that Brand isn't quite where she wants to be yet, but all three runners are looking to make the distance races a strong suit for the Zephs.

In the hurdles, junior Alyssa Holland returns along with fellow junior Jillian Kreglow, with the former competing in the 300 intermediate hurdles and the latter in the 100. Senior Briana Gensey is another vet who lends experience to the hurdles. They'll be the foundation of a young group that includes sophomores Mckenzie Wloczewski, Chanel Younes and some promising newcomers.

Along with Jones, the jumpers will feature Kreglow, Holland and senior Taylor Hamscher, all of whom are returning form last season. Sebesta said that some of the sprinters will split time in the jumps, while sophomore Hayley Fenstermaker will be another jumper counted on to provide depth.

Hamscher set once again to rise from the pit in the pole vault. She'll be joined this season by a number of candidates, including junior Amber Myers and sophomore Kali Bartynski.

Sebesta said that Hamscher is another Zeph whose versatility will be valuable as they look to grab some points in the EPC this season. That list also features Jones, Holland, Kreglow and Krayee, all of whom can pick up points in a number of events.

The throwers have a solid foundation in senior Natalie Saraceni and junior Vanessa Hadeed. They bolster a group that also includes senior Judaha Amoroso and some promising newcomers.

The Zephs will also look to a number of seniors to provide guidance to a host of underclassmen. That list includes Kristen Abdouche, Sharon Chen, Charlotte Connors, Haddy Fall, Abigail Hall, Madeleine Pasda, Cora Peters, Kassandra Rajha, Christina Reinhard, Tianna Rivers, Abbigail Woodring and Crystal Yacoub.

Juniors in then mix include Jackquine Adoyo, Hayley Arner, Taylor Beer, Jasmine Cabrera, Carmen Collins, Jenise Cooper, Maggie Due, Victoria Marks, Dajanae Pizarro, Camarya Tillman and Angelica Vasquez-Osorio.

Sophomores who be asked to contribute include Sabrina Barhoum, Manushka Bonhomme, Zena Burro, Kayla Cavanaugh, Laura Do, Zharia Gibson, Kailey Gober, Samantha Grim, Kasai Harrison, Jenine Levano, Madison Link, Daniela Martinovic, Crystal Ray, Sierra Ressler, Tamara Riddick, Daniel Rodrigues and Isabella Rosario.

Freshman looking to make the grade include Rasha Abdouche, Tishe Adegbonmire, Feyisayo Adelanwa, Morgan Anderson, Hannah Appleton, Brittany-Taylor Armour, Catherine Chen, Madison Gaston, Serenity Gedeus, Elizabeth Gill, Makenzie Irelan, Jocelyn Magriso, Caroline Martin, Camila Medina, Natalia Montero, Madelyn Mertz, Teresa Nappo, Adriana Ordonez, Abby Pastir, Genesis Perez, Sarah Reinhard, Abigail Taschler and Tiara Settles.

Sebesta said that they didn't lose much to graduation last year and he expects the girls to be very competitive this year. However, they're still young but he sees enormous potential.

"I think our girls will be pretty good if they figure it out," he said.