If the Northwestern boys and girls track and field teams are looking to replicate a similar performance to last season's unbeaten league schedule, they'll have to do so without some of the area's best performers.

But with the graduation of certain athletes, the opportunity arises for others to take their places throughout the spring months.

The Tigers get their first look at those athletes in an actual meet come Thursday when Northwestern travels to Wilson for a tri meet with Catasauqua.

"Once again, our goal for the girls' team is to go undefeated in the regular season and to repeat as Colonial League champions," first-year head coach Chuck Groller said. "We will, however, be challenged by other talented girls teams in the Colonial League."

The girls must fill a number of voids, but most of the top graduated point scorers are from the throwing and distance running events.

Trista Cunningham placed second in the discus and fourth in shot put at districts, and was recognized as one of the top throwers in the area. Haley Yost capped her impressive high school career with a second- and fourth-place finish at districts in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter runs, respectively.

Replacing those two seniors will be the biggest challenge, but a number of upperclassmen return with high upside.

Senior Rachele Cerrone headlines the top returning distance runners, while juniors Rachel Mikols and Abigail Smith figure to be some of the top returners as well.

"Our distance runners will continue to be strong as always as a result of the experience and work ethic of coach Tim Churetta," Groller said. "Our main area of concern this year will be in our throwing events due to losing two of our top point-getters to graduation in Trista Cunningham and Hannah Masenheimer."

Seniors Lauren Anderson (fourth in 200 meter dash at districts), Sarah Segan (seventh in 400 meter dash) and Sabrina Mertz are returning sprinters looking to end their careers with another successful campaign. Mertz and Segan also teamed up with Yost and Carly Pierce to lead the Tigers' 4x800 relay team to gold at districts.

Alexis Gawelko is back after winning both hurdle events at last year's Colonial League championship meet. She will also be one of the league's top high jumpers.

On the boys' side, Cunningham must replace five seniors who finished in the top three at districts in 2014 in their respective events.

Alex Partington took gold in the discus (fifth at the PIAA Track and Field Championships) and silver in the shot put. Cole Miller (second in pole vault and third in 100 meter dash), Austin Weiss (second in 110 meter hurdles), Jihad Hereba (second in 400 meter dash and third in 200 meter dash) and Ryan Cerrone (third in 800 meter run) have also departed.

That's not to mention graduates Collin Furchner (3200 meter run), Stephen Schoeninger (triple jump) and Justin Betz (javelin), all of whom placed in the top nine of their events at districts.

But the Tigers, despite losing that talented group from a season ago, do return plenty of point scorers that look to build on 2014.

"The boys will be expected to continue their success," head coach Tim Cunningham said. "The loss of many seniors to graduation will require underclassmen to step up and meet challenges early in the season."

Cameron Richardson after having arguably the best season of any Tiger on the track returns after earning three district gold medals. He finished first in both of his individual events (100 meter dash and 200 meter dash), while also helping the Tigers' 4x100 relay team earn gold. At states, Richardson placed third in the 200 meter dash.

Other top returning boys include: senior Jacob Steidinger (fourth in pole vault), senior Brayden Heller (sixth in 800 meter run) and Eli Gough (ninth in discus). Junior Harry Hall will run the sprints this season, and he helped in that relay team win gold a year ago.

It won't be easy to replicate some of those individual performances from last year, but the Tigers have their eyes set on the top of the league standings once again.

"We are looking for the boys to put some pressure on Wilson and Palmerton, the expected league favorites," Cunningham said.