Championships have become commonplace at Northwestern during this school year. Back in the fall both the boys' and girls' soccer squads took the Colonial League championship, with the girls' team grabbing district gold as well. The girls' cross country team won the league and district in fall, too.

Additionally, the Tiger football team won the Eastern Conference Championship with the girls' basketball team capturing the league title just last month.

That's a lot of hardware.

This spring the girls' track and field squad, who is no stranger to winning as it finished 2013 with an unblemished record and a league championship, is vying to continue the title trend and its streak of dominance in the league.

"We are approaching this spring with the mindset that we want to have 22 straight wins by the end of the season," said head coach Dave Kerschner. "We also want to win another championship. That has been our goal since our team meeting back in January."

They are lofty goals that Kerschner and the girls set, but they are not outlandish.

"We have most of our point-getters back from that team that went 11-0," said Kerschner. "Yes, that will put a target on our backs, but those returners are bringing experience, which will help."

Headlining that group of returners is senior Haley Yost, who will continue her cross country and track career at Eastern Kentucky in fall.

"She has been getting points since she was a freshman," said Kerschner. "She has had success, but I think she is in the best shape of her four-year career. I am really excited to see what she can do."

In addition to Yost, junior Rachele Cerrone is returning along with juniors Carly Pierce, Sabrina Mertz, Lauren Anderson and Alexis Gawelko. Yost, Cerrone, Pierce and Gawelko took district gold last season in the 4x800 meter relay.

Also, seniors Trista Cunningham and Anna Masenheimer are returning in the field events. Kerschner looks for them to try and make a run at the state tournament this season.

A fresh face on the team this year is Sarah Segan, who will be adding track to a resume that already includes a laundry list of accomplishments in soccer and basketball.

Kerschner, who noted she will help in the 200-, 400-, and 800-meter dashes, is very happy to have the junior join the team.

"She is one of the best athletes in the school," he said. "She will add a piece that we didn't have last year. She is going to be a key newcomer that we are excited to see what she can do."

Although the Tigers are a favorite in the league, Kerschner admitted that their weaknesses are in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault.

With so many championships being collected by Northwestern, the expectation is not to just compete for a title. It is to win one.

The Lady Tigers' track and field team is not just going to try and defend its league title, it's going to do everything to become back-to-back Colonial League Champions.