When Emmaus' track and field season begins, one of the Hornets' biggest question marks revolves around replacing a highly talented senior group from a year ago.

That group was headlined by Hanna Brosky, who earned three District 11 Class AAA gold medals and a fifth-place finish at states in the 400-meter dash. Amber Blunt also won gold three times at districts, including two relay teams to go along with her first-place finish in the 200-meter dash.

Chanel Boothman (second in 100 meter dash and third in 200 meter dash) and Maria Justus (fourth in long jump and fifth in 300-meter hurdles) placed in the top five of their respective events at districts, and will no longer be members of the Hornets' track and field team.

But despite those departures, the Lady Hornets are preparing to move on without those graduates and put together another successful season after securing back-to-back unbeaten league seasons.

"We have a lot of gaps to fill from graduation, especially after two undefeated girls seasons and conference championships," said head coach Shannon Petrunak. "I'm excited to see the underclassmen step up and fulfill leadership roles on both the boys and girls teams."

Distance runner Katie Bacher, a junior, will be one of the top point scorers on the girls' side after finishing third in both the 1600- and 3200-meter runs at districts a year ago.

Senior Kate Lynch, a bronze medalist at districts in pole vault, figures to be among the top of the pack again. Senior Alyssa Sopko is back after helping the Hornets place first in the 4x400 meter relay, while Jaci Reinbold returns in the distance events after Emmaus secured fourth in the 4x800 meter relay.

At a school the size of Emmaus, Petrunak is dealt the tough task of making difficult roster cuts. But that number of athletes only helps push each other on a daily basis.

"After cuts, we have about 170 on our roster," Petrunak said. "We have a lot of athletes to push one another, and in-team competition makes everyone better."

Freshman Abby Dalton, senior Shannon McGinnis and sophomore Kiyae White are newcomers to the team looking to make an immediate impact.

On the boys' side, Emmaus' main losses to graduation are Curits Geiger (third in 400 meter dash at districts), Jordan Frank (seventh in 3200 meter run), Kevin Waterman (eighth in 800 meter run) and Kile Vierling (10th in 3200 meter run).

But the Hornets do return a number of their top placers from a year ago, as well as a number of others who figure to step in the roles of those graduates.

Senior Scott Schlegel was the boys' lone gold medalist a year ago at districts, taking first in the high jump. He's back looking to replicate a similar season after taking ninth at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

Junior Ryan Paradise returns after capturing district bronze in two running events a season ago in the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs. And senior Thomas Wagner (sixth in the shot put) rounds out the top boys returning scorers.

"As always, we want our kids to have the best track and field experience possible," Petrunak said. "[We want them] to learn the value of hard work and sportsmanship, to compete to the best of their ability and to advance as many as we can to championship meets."

Freshman Matt Bisko, freshman Jaleel Boothman and senior Emmanuel Doelue are newcomers to the team that will participate in the throwing events. Junior Jacob Feiertag is also new to the Hornets as a distance runner.

Emmaus' first track meet is scheduled for Monday at home against Easton and Pocono Mountain West.