The Newtown High School girls’ track and field team is looking for a South-West Conference Championship trifecta of sorts. The Nighthawks won last year’s spring outdoor title and then much of the same lineup of athletes took home the winter indoor title in February.

Only time will tell what is ahead this spring but the Nighthawks have a versatile and large group of athletes in the fold as the campaign gets going. The Hawks have a wealth of newcomers to the sport on board to contribute, and Coach Becky Bourret anticipates offset point losses to graduation. That coupled with the return of many SWC qualifiers and scorers from last spring — not to mention Bourret said this year’s version of the lineup has an even better work ethic than that of a year ago — makes Newtown one of the favorites if not the team to beat once again.

“We have gained some phenomenal athletes from across the strong female sports at Newtown High School. We have volleyball stars, championship cheerleaders, a gymnast captain, and competitive soccer players rounding out one of the most athletic groups I’ve coached yet. These girls want to work hard and are driven to improve and win,” Bourret said.

“We are off to an amazing start for the outdoor season starting off with a record high of 100 girls registered — the highest since I’ve taken over the program. Only 30 returners from last season and an overwhelming 37 freshmen,” the coach added. “We look to continue to be the top team in the SWC while improving our placing in the state meets.”

Standouts include distance captains Jess Zhang and Grace Chiriatti, joined by senior Clara D’Amico and junior Annabelle Foley. Mid-distance captain Keira Budge is joined by sophomores Leah Morris and Nadia Andrew as well as freshman Ana Morris. Sprints captains are Ella Hall and Grace Lyons, and sprint returnees include Abby Manka and Amanda Reyes. Indoor standout Jesse Moore and freshman Charlotte Miller are other sprinters.

Hurdles captain Aashni Shetty is joined by 15 hurdlers including freshman indoor standout Marcela Corral. Gymnastics captain Kelsey Brennan also looks to be a factor in hurdling events for the Nighthawks. Jumps captain Ryan Los is joined by returning senior Elizabeth Anesi and sophomores Isabella Walder (All State cheerleader) and indoor standout Violet Asante-Labash.

Pole vault captain Lola Kessler returns with senior Ashley Cote and junior Bridget Gioffe with freshman Clare Csaszar showing great potential. Throws captain Izzy Khazadian is among 20-plus throwers. Bourret said sophomore class rookies Rachel Kraus, Makenzie Pernod, Kaylin Brissette, Mel Lordeiro, Faith Weir, and Jamie Humphreys are showing great potential in the extremely difficult technical discipline of throwing.

The season begins Monday, April 8, with a visit to Joel Barlow of Redding to face Barlow, Bethel, and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport at 4 pm. The first home meet is set for Monday, April 29, against New Fairfield, New Milford, and Weston, also at 4.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.