The Whitehall girls track and field team will be a mix of youth and experience that should keep them competitive all season.

Last year the girls wound up 4-5, placing them seventh among the 12 Lehigh Valley Conference teams.

Like the boys, the challenge this year will be finding points among the field events. They have a number of candidates, and head coach Jim Sebesta is hopeful that someone will emerge to place in the throws and jumps.

To that end, the Zephs will have a strong numbers in which to find those athletes, with 71 girls ready to compete in the Lehigh Valley Conference. However, Sebesta said that the number of experienced athletes he only has seven seniors on the roster is the lowest total he's had in recent memory.

Still, they return a number of talented track athletes that will keep them in meets the entire season.

Topping the list of returnees is Angela Stella. The senior earned a trip to Shippensburg in the 800 meters last year, and will be looking to make a return visit to the PIAA Track and Field Championships this season. Stella currently holds the school record in the 800 meters, setting that mark in 2013 when she crossed the line in 2:24.30.

Sebesta knows that Stella has the talent and fortitude to make her senior campaign just as memorable. Only time will tell if a new school record will be part of that legacy.

"It's going to be hard, but I'd like to see her do it," said Sebesta.

After an indoor season fighting some health issues, Sebesta said that Stella is "running really well." She'll have the opportunity to see where she stands right out of the gate as the Zephs entertain defending 800 meter district champ Hanna Brosky and her fellow Green Hornets on March 24.

The strongest area for the Zephs will be the sprints. Sebesta said there's a huge concentration of talent among the 35 candidates. It's an overwhelming number, and Sebesta said that they'll need to disperse that number among some other events if they all want to see some action. However, it's still a nice problem to have.

Chief among the corps of returning sprinters is senior Arianie Pizarro and junior Decontee Krayee. Sebesta said that those two are all ready pushing one another, and he expects them to form the foundation of a solid team.

In addition to those two, Ivanna Jones returns, dividing time between sprinting and jumping, while sophomore Anna Gallina and junior Iman Azim are additional talented sprinters who made an impact last year. They'll be joined by newcomers Kourtney and Kaylee Cunningham, a junior and sophomore, respectively, that will give the Zephs some flexiblity in the sprints and relays.

"I think our girls sprinters are going to be pretty strong this year," said Sebesta.

Furthermore, he believes that their relay teams have the ability to make an impact among their peers.

"I think our 4x100 team will surprise some people," he said.

The middle distances will be anchored by Stella, while junior LeAnna Cruz is an experienced runner as well who will provide some points.

The girls team will also benefit from long distance runners Emily Brand, Kelsey Antonchak and Heather Busch, all returning juniors who will be in contention every time they step onto the track.

Once again Jillian Kreglow will take her spot among the hurdlers. The sophomore will be joined by junior Briana Gensey who should help make them a strong combination.

The jumps will feature Jones, as well as senior Kelsey Millets, a captain on this year's squad.

In the field events, junior Taylor Hamscher's versatility will once again prove valuable as she'll pole vault and jump, while sophomore Amber Meyers and freshman Amanda Rivera will also be part of that pole vaulting mix.

The throwing events will feature seniors Madison Scarfaro and Natalie Saraceni, both of whom will be guide a young contingent as they embark on a new season.

Sebesta said that some newcomers to watch are the Cunningham sisters, sprinters who will give the Zephs the ability to sweep the sprinting events.

As with the boys, Sebesta said it's a lot of mixing and matching until the girls settle into events where they feel comfortable and can succeed. He also wants to get as many girls into the state meet as possible, the ultimate prize of every season.

"Our goal is to get as many kids to states as we can," said Sebesta.

Other seniors who will make significant contributions include Jennifer Davis, Rhiannon Harwi and Sarah Schannauer.

Juniors who will make an impact include Kristen Abdouche, Judaha Amoroso, Caitlyn Cavanaugh, Charlotte Connors, Alexis DeMelfy, Sierra Dreisbach, Haddy Fall, Bianca Gonzalez, Abigail Hall, Jennifer Herbine, Lyne Libale, Cora Peters, Kassandra Rajha, Madison Walker and Abbigail Woodring.

Sophomores poised to help include Jackquine Adoyo, Haley Arner, Carmen Collins, Jenise Cooper, Janelle Demko, Vanessa Hadeed, Amanda Hazim, Alyssa Holland, Tiffanie Hopkins, Jackie Khalil, Victoria Marks and Camarya Tillman.

Freshman ready to strike are Sabrina Barhoum, Kali Bartynski, Kyle Beltz, Zena Burro, Kayla Cavanaugh, Meriam Deeb, Laura Do, Hayley Fenstermaker, Hannah Gil, Kailey Gober, Jenine Levano, Madison Link, Daniela Martinovic, Kayla Nailor, Sierra Ressler, Jordan Rivera, Samantha Schrader, McKenzie Wloczewski and Chanel Younes.