The Lady Knights have been the best track and field team in the WPIAL over the last two seasons as they brought the championship trophy to Norwin in both 2006 and 2007.

After the graduation of star speedster Megan Duncan (Penn State) and long distance sensation Anna Yoney (Pitt), many would expect Norwin to suffer a drop off this spring.

Coach Trinity Morgan isn't one of those people.

"I think that this team might actually be a little bit stronger than last year's team. We want to repeat. First, we want to win out in the section, which is going to be really hard. Then, if we can do that, hopefully, we can continue on," said Morgan, citing tough meets with Hempfield and Latrobe.

"I think we have the tools to have a shot. Every year, it changes. You never know what other schools are going to pop out. It's always hard to win. But their goal is to repeat."

Leading the Lady Knights will be a talented group of young runners on the track, who all gathered WPIAL and state meet experience last season.

Senior Ali Mols, junior Amanda Cotherman and sophomore Shannon Abraham competed at states in the mile relay with Duncan. At the state meet, they set a WPIAL record and finished fifth overall.

Cotherman, Abraham, Duncan and senior Amanda Ponsonby placed sixth at states in the 4x100-meter relay, and sophomore Shelby Haitz was a state qualifier in the 800.

Haitz will replace Duncan on the mile relay team, which hopes to improve its record time this season.

"We're hoping to do even better this year than last year. We think we can," Morgan said.

In addition, Ponsonby was 14th in the state in the pole vault. The returning qualifiers will be joined on the track by distance standouts Leslie Kovach, a junior, and freshmen Maria Lainey and Jenna Gigliotti, who was eighth at the state indoor championships in the 3,000-meter run.

"Leslie Kovach looks unbelievable. She's been training non-stop since cross country season," Morgan said. "She just focused on training instead of competing, and this is the best I've ever seen her look already. And it's only March."

Senior Jess Sharik (javelin, shot put) returns in the throwing events and will be joined by junior Cassidy Kravec (javelin). Sophomore Dana Delle-Femine will add to the sprint events.

"They look good. There's been a group of about 15 girls who have been working since November in the indoor season," Morgan said.

The Norwin boys were the section champions last season, as well, after going undefeated in the regular season. But graduation cost the Knights 13 athletes, including three WPIAL qualifiers in Larry Lenhart, Joey Hawley and Jason Jasko.

Leading the Knights into this season will be senior Dave Farina, a Duquesne recruit who will compete in nearly every event for Norwin. He competed at states last year in the 800, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay.

"Dave Farina looks super. He had a nice indoor season. Dave's probably our best in every event. He might be our No. 1 guy in the 100 dash all the way to the two-mile," Morgan said.

"He's got sprinter speed and great endurance. He's our workhorse. He'll always be in four events, and he'll move around meet to meet."

Fellow relay qualifiers Andy McHugh, a senior, and Nick Revis, a junior, also are back and will run sprints with junior Cory Stoken.

Senior pole vaulter Mike Steffenino also returns as a state qualifier, and the coaches have high expectations for him after he set a school record at the state indoor championships after clearing 15 feet, 6 inches.

"He has a shot at the state title this year for sure," Morgan said.

Senior football and basketball standout Mike Shanahan also has joined the track team and will compete in sprints, jumps and relays to get in shape for Pitt football camp this summer.

The distance crew will be led by senior Josh Hooke, while McHugh, Stoken, Steffenino and junior Tyler DeAntonis anchor the hurdles.

In the throwing events, seniors Ryan Slack and Luke Droney, along with junior Sean Brown, hope to post top scores for the Knights.

"We'll have a bunch of new faces, so we'll see how they do," Morgan said. "As a whole, I think we'll be competitive in the section. Kiski, Latrobe and Hempfield are always tough."

Norwin will open the season on Tuesday against Penn-Trafford, beginning at 4 p.m.