The Northwestern boys track and field team suffered some key losses to graduation after going 8-3 in the Colonial League last season.

Two members of the District 11 champion 4x800 relay team have graduated in Nate Vincent and Cole Chukoskie, along with league medalist sprinter Josh Heilman and distance runner Joe Chukoskie.

The Tigers have a few league and district medalists back, including seniors Sam Bower and Matt Santana, who were part of the 4x800 relay team while picking up some individual postseason hardware last season.

Senior Cayden Kuhns, a league pole vault medalist last season, and sophomore Gavin Nelson, a league high jump medalist last year, also return this year.

Some other returning athletes who look to build on last year’s performances include senior Evan Anderson (sprints), junior Kit Kahm (jumps), junior Ethan Kozlowski (sprints/high jump), senior Colin Myers (throws) and senior Zack Santana (distance).

Some newcomers that could help the team this year are sophomore Ben Bachman (sprints), sophomore Jackson Bailey (throws), freshman Mason Bollinger (sprints/jumps), junior Matt Cabansag (throws), senior Ben Fornwalt (sprints/jumps), sophomore Xander Giandomenico (distance), junior Asa Fogal (sprints/jumps), sophomore Seth Kern (sprints), junior Sean Kershner (distance), freshman Shane Leh (hurdles/jumps), sophomore Landen Matson (sprints), sophomore Brendan Miller (hurdles/throws) and sophomore Del Tyler (hurdles/jumps).

“We are young, very athletic and will be up for any challenge that comes our way this season,” said Northwestern head coach Chuck Groller. The Tigers finished fourth in the league during the regular season last year and were seventh at the league meet. This year’s team could improve upon those numbers.

“In recent years, Northwestern Lehigh has taken on the nickname of Title Town in sports,” said Groller. “Just like the rest, we will give everything we have and never turn down an athletic challenge.”

One big chance this season will see the Tigers drop down to Class 2A. The past few years they competed in Class 3A against mostly East Penn Conference schools, but also some of the top teams from the Colonial League like Southern Lehigh and Wilson, as well as some Schuylkill League teams.

Northwestern was among the smallest schools in Class 3A. In Class 2A the Tigers will be among the larger schools in the classification. It should open a lot more opportunities for Northwestern athletes to reach the medal stand at districts and earn trips to the state championship meet.

Last season the 4x800 relay team was the only state qualifier for the Tiger boys team. That will likely change this season.

Northwestern opened the season Tuesday against Wilson. The Tigers host Palmerton next Tuesday in their first home meet of the season.