Newtown High School's girls' cross country team, last year's South-West Conference champion, is seeking another title this fall.

The girls lost three of their top seven to graduation. Sarah Mawdsley, Kelsey Miller, and Emma Bayuk are among those who leave shoes to fill, but Coach Doug Russell is optimistic his team has a chance to win it all.

"I think we can contend again for the conference," said Russell, adding that the goals for the season include not only repeating as SWC champs, but also qualifying for the New England championships as a team once again.

"Last year was an exceptional year, and I think this year is going to be exceptional as well," Russell said.

Traditionally strong conference foes Immaculate of Danbury (the only school to defeat Newtown in the regular season last year) and Pomperaug of Southbury could pose the biggest challenges for the Nighthawks to overcome on their path to another title.

This year's captains are Erika Teetsel, Cassidy Keller, Erin Tressler, and Willow Pears. Tressler, Pears, and Maddie Findley, and Lu Hage are returnees who were among the top seven a year ago.

Other returning team members include Maddy Albee, Kate Norton, and Claire Dubois. New-to-cross country runners are soccer transfer Taylor Pare and track competitor Lauren Russo.

If the team members need any inspiration for overcoming obstacles or setbacks this fall they need to look no further than their coach. Russell was back at it with the team in time for preseason practices after a major scare during the summer. He survived a heart attack but didn't miss a beat with the team.

"I feel great," the coach said during a practice just before the start of the regular season.