This year’s high school track and field season began this week with the Tigers traveling to Northern Lehigh to take on the Bulldogs and Catasauqua in a tri-meet.

The Tiger girls team is coming off a season in which it lost just two dual meets, while last year’s boys team finished just above .500 and will build on last year’s successes.

Here’s a preview of both 2019 Tiger track teams.

GIRLS

The Lady Tigers capped off a 9-2 season in 2018 and look to build on the continued success for this year.

“We are still putting the pieces of the puzzle together, but our girls should be competitive,” said Northwestern head coach Chuck Groller. “We have experience and talent in some events, but are not as strong in other events as we have been in years past. These girls continue to work hard at every practice.”

Northwestern lost Abby Chisdak (javelin) and Hannah Herzon (long distance) to graduation, along with Jordan Lowthert (triple jump), Molly Tarvin (mid and long distance) and Leila Toth (pole vault).

“Time will tell how quickly our younger, inexperienced athletes can build their confidence to meet the challenges that lie ahead in meet competition,” Groller said.

Senior Sydney Derr will return in pole vault, while Sage Christopher plans on participating in the throwing events. Seniors Madeline Consuelos, Sarah Supplee and Alyssa Zack, who are all members of the Colonial League and District 11 champion Tiger cross country team, will all compete in the mid- and long-distance events. Junior Allison Costa, another cross country runner, joins the senior trio in the distance events. Emma Fogal will handle the hurdles, with Carly Fogal participating in the long and triple jumps. Northwestern captured the Colonial League title in the 4x800-meter relay in 2018.

Senior Sara Hathaway plans on tackling the sprints for Northwestern. Hurdler Allyson Hinks and high-jumper Jessica Wertman will be two others to watch throughout the season. The Tigers also have junior Sydney Sevrain throwing the javelin, as well as sprinter Kate Betz and distance runner Lauren Hinks.

BOYS

Northwestern finished 6-5 last year. Head coach Groller hopes to finish with a winning record in 2019.

“Our goal is to be above .500 in the regular season,” Groller said. “We are a young team with a lot of unknowns. Time will tell how these young men respond to the challenges that lie ahead.”

The Tigers lost key distance runners Philip Castrine, Andrew Cornell (mid distance) and Robbie Leiser (mid/long distance) to graduation. Sprinter Dylan Frantz, along with Jason Garcia (shot put) and Hunter Miller (javelin/discus) are other key losses for Northwestern.

Senior Nolan Hernandez returns to the hurdles, while sophomore Justin Rodda will mix it up with sprints and jumps. Another senior in Devin Thomas will contest the high and triple jumps

Senior Sam Seyfried will also return to the squad as a sprinter, while Ryan Haas will do the hurdles. Juniors Joe Pleban, Matthew Renner and Matthew Boushell will serve as mid and long distance runners. Junior Michael Marazzo is a thrower for the Tigers.

“We are hoping to get points in sprints from Justin Rodda and Sam Seyfried,” Groller said. “Nolan Hernandez will be competitive in the hurdles. Devin Thomas will be strong in high jump. In mid and long distance, Michael Rebert, Joe Pleban, Matthew Renner and Matthew Boushell are working hard as a group. Hopefully, they can get us some points in those events.”