Here are some questions swirling around Butler County tracks as the high school track and field season is set to begin:

• Can the Butler girls rebound and work themselves back into the WPIAL Class AAA team playoffs?

"We have a lot of young girls," said Butler coach Rod Harris, who has 83 sophomores and freshmen combined, "And, we have to find a way to say, 'It doesn't matter. Step up and let it happen. Don't assume a girl is a junior so she should be faster.'"

• Can Seneca Valley, which made the WPIAL championship meet last year, get a lot of points from its large group of underclassmen?

• How will Knoch, which leaves behind a section with North Allegheny, Butler and Seneca Valley, and Mars fare in their new section?

Both teams will now face each other, as well as Kiski Area, Highlands, Hampton and the Avonworth-Northgate co-op

• And how about Slippery Rock? The Rockets have posted three consecutive undefeated seasons and are looking even stronger this season.

Here's a look at the Butler County area' girls track and field squads:

ButlerCoach: Rod Harris, sixth year

Last season: 4-3 in the section

Top returners: Seniors Rachel Doutt (throws), Cynde Rossi (throws) and Katie Wall (sprints); juniors Erin Bell (jumps), Olivia Bresnahan (high jump), Casie Cygan (sprints), Marina Gracik (javelin), Taylor Green (pole vault), Bri Lumley (shot put), Becky Nowacki (jumps, hurdles), Emily Petrak (middle distance), Adaire Robinson (sprints) and Katresa Savisky (middle distance); sophomores Trisha Brandt (middle distance), Jillian Mudrick (hurdles), Danica Snyder (middle distance), Megan Studds (jumps) and Kathryn Spingola (sprints)

Strengths: High jump, shot put, hurdles, middle distance, relays

Weaknesses: Experience in sprints and depth in other positions

Coach's comment: "I see a very young team. We have 12 seniors, 31 juniors, 48 sophomores and 35 freshmen. ... As long as we stay healthy and these young kids can step up, we'll do well."

Seneca ValleyCoach: Ray Peaco, second year

Last season: 12-4 overall, 6-1 in the section for second place; third at WPIAL Class AAA championships

Top returners: Seniors Joelle Scarnati (distance), Stacy Harkins (throws), Megan Powell (distance), Sierra Turici (throws); juniors Erin Lopresti (middle distance, distance, triple jump), Elexa Baron (hurdles), Mandy Cerminara (hurdles), Grace Emmerling (400, long jump), Annie Philogene (400, mile relay); sophomores Keara Lydon (throws); Bri Sieminski (jumps, sprints), Sabrina Mitchell (sprints)

Strengths: Middle distance, distance, hurdles, jumps

Weaknesses: Depth, experience in throws

Coach's comment: "This is a record attendance for us (230 boys and girls), so our expectation is to find out what they can do. We'll see how they stack up against Butler and North Allegheny. ... We've got to get to the top two and that's tough."

KnochCoach: Tom Hoffmann, sixth year

Last season: N/A

Top returners: Seniors Sarah Robb (jumps, sprints) and Alyssa Kunkel (distance),; juniors Gina Robb (hurdles, jumps) and Allyson Cress (throws); sophomores Jolene Kunkel (distance), Shannon Evanchec (distance), Lea Welker (jumps), Tori Lark (jumps)

Strengths: Distance, hurdles, jumps, larger squad (38)

Weaknesses: Experienced depth in most events

Coach's comment: "I'm looking forward to being competitive in most events, especially going into a new section. We have the ability to think about making the (team) playoffs. We have the Robbs and the Kunkels placing in the WPIAL meet, but some are not at that level. We'll get closer if we compete for some more places."

MarsCoach: Deb Knox, second year

Last season: 8-3 overall, 8-1 in the section for second place and trip to WPIAL Class AAA playoffs

Top returners: Seniors Rachel Barnes (sprints), Cassie Rozzi (pole vault) and Brynn Workman (middle distance); juniors Sam Brandon (distance), Sarah Williams (sprints) and Courtney Cooper (sprints)

Strengths: Middle distance, distance

Weaknesses: Throws

Coach's comment: "Actually, we're a pretty well-rounded team. We should be very completive in our section and be in every meet."

FreeportCoach: Bill Dillen, 16th year

Last season: 10-1 overall, section champion

Top returners: Seniors Amanda Zuhemensky (hurdles), Lindsay Sherrieb (hurdles), Amanda Zacchia (hurdles, relays) and Alyssa Blake (throws); junior Brittany Demeno; sophomores Chelsea Chapman (sprints), Camry Brestensky (sprints) and Harley Westerman (jumps)

Strengths: Hurdles, sprints, jumps

Weaknesses: Distance, throws

Coach's comment: "Our goal is to win the section and go as far as we can in the playoffs. After that, it's getting as many kids to the WPIAL finals and states as we can. We have a good group (73 total), nice young kids coming up and with a good mix of veterans as well.

Slippery RockCoach: Mike Kish, 30th year

Last season: 5-0, Region 2 champions

Top returners: Seniors Samantha Amyx (jumps, pole vault), Michelle Grossman (hurdles, sprints), Candace Hogue (hurdles, sprints), Elissa McCune (sprints, hurdles), Brittney Richter (jumps), Angie Shaffer (jumps, hurdles) and Chelsea Stanley (sprints); juniors Hannah Barnhart (hurdles) and Kristy Kerr (hurdles, sprints); sophomores Chelcie Ketterer (sprints), Chelsea Master (throw), Alexis Reeher (distance), Rachel Richter (distance), Susan Timko (distance)

Strengths: Sprints, hurdles, distance, jumps

Weaknesses: Throws

Coach's comment: "Our seniors, the group we got in as freshman, have really carried us. They've given us three undefeated seasons and I don't see why they can't have another undefeated season. Shaffer and McCune are solid in everything they do."

Grove CityCoach: Mickey Hardenburg, second year

Last season: 6-5 overall

Top returners: Seniors Megan DeGraaf (pole vault), Laurel Montgomery (pole vault) and Becky Simon (jumps); juniors Hanna Casanova (middle distance) and Nicole Wizorek (middle distance); sophomore Sarah Chuzie (distance)

Strengths: Distance, middle distance, pole vault

Weaknesses: Throws

Coach's comment: "There's a big hole to fill with the loss of Kristy Woods (who won a pair of state gold medals in the shot put and discus). You have to try and find 10 automatic points. It was nice to have her for four years. ... We're still practicing and we still have to find our legs. How this season will all play out, no one knows, but I think we'll be a better, more rounded team. We have more depth than before."

Karns CityCoach: Tom Wagner, third year

Last season: 9-0, KSACchampions

Top returners: Seniors Hannah Beck (distance), Kristen Futcher (distance), Ashley Campbell (distance, javelin), Amber Saunders (jumps) and Alaina Burns (throws); juniors Kara Sypulski (sprints, discus); Nicole Harmon (distance), Kaycee Grimm (distance) and Stephanie Stoughton (throws); sophomores Brittany Lessner (hurdles), Caitlyn Lakin (hurdles) and Corrine Conto (hurdles)

Strengths: Solid performers in each event

Weaknesses: Sprints, depth in field events

Coach's comment: "The cupboard's not bare by any means. We're not as deep as we've been, but I'm cautiously optimistic. I really like the effort we've put on early on and the good weather always helps."

MoniteauCoach: Sue Scialabba, seventh year

Last season: 3-6 in the KSAC

Top returners: Seniors Nadine Staab (distance), Nikki Campbell (jumps, throws) and Lisa Duncan (throws); juniors Mimi Haney (middle distance, relays), Kathleen Harding (hurdles, relays), Jenna McCorry (throws, jumps, distance, relays); Courtney Catterall (sprint, jumps, relays); Taylor Shaffer (400, hurdles, relays)

Strengths: Jumps, relays, sprints

Weaknesses: Lack of depth

Coach's comment: "The league will be competitive this season. We are looking for a .500 record and lots of (personal records) and district qualifiers. The girls worked very hard during the offseason. We have only 23 girls on the team, but we are starting to come together and we are looking forward to a great season."

UnionCoach: Al Pryor, second year

Last season: 1-7 in the KSAC

Top returners: Seniors Jenna Holden (jumps, sprints) and Courtney Frederick (discus, hurdles); junior Lepha Logue (jumps, middle distance); sophomore Tina Lipps (shot put)

Strengths: Jumps, throws

Weaknesses: Distance

Coach's comment: "Our biggest class is our sophomores. We're fairly well-balanced. We have 38 girls and 17 are returning letterwinners."

A-C ValleyCoach: Dave Sherman Jr.

Last season: 4-4 in the KSAC

Top returners: Senior Shelbi Cervenec (throws); juniors Erika Rothen (hurdles, relays), Sam Kerlin (hurdles, middle distance), Lauren Snyder (jumps), Nikki Marshall (distance), Katie Quail (hurdles, middle distance) and Caroline Blauser (jumps, sprints); sophomores Meghan Cratty (discus) and Emily Milford (distance)

Strengths: Hurdles, relays, sprints, distance, jumps

Weaknesses: Depth in each event

Coach's comment: "We really only lost Jessica Henry from last year and she pretty much kept us from getting wiped out in the throws, and I think we can get some people to step in. ... I always approach each season as 'let's just get to the district meet and maybe someone to the state meet.'"