Chuck Groller knew about the experience. And he saw the youthful exuberance.

The Northwestern track and field head coach was aware that his boys and girls squads had an abundance of both.

But Groller also recognized the Tigers’ talent.

Northwestern showed that ability once again on Tuesday, as both the boys and girls swept Northern Lehigh and Catasauqua in a Colonial League meet.

The Tigers topped the Bulldogs 105-44 and knocked off the Rough Riders 137-12 in the boys meet. In the girls meet, Northwestern downed Northern Lehigh 91-59, and defeated Catasauqua 104-45.

Groller was impressed with both, especially the boys, which he acknowledged had some unknowns coming into the season.

“I’m really surprised with the boys. Our goal was to be above .500 this year, and they’re 5-1,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of good young talent coming through. I kind of knew that, but it’s a little bit of a surprise; some of them never did track before.”

Groller got big performances from freshman Justin Rodda and sophomore Zach Rosmalia, who went 1-2 in the long jump. Rodda won it with a leap of 19-6.

But the Tigers also saw key upperclassmen deliver. Seniors Taylor Wanamaker (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Jason Garcia (shot put, discus) came up big when the team needed them.

“It’s an awesome feeling; great vibe,” said Wanamaker. “I can’t explain it. It’s gonna be fun on the bus ride home, so I’m excited about that.

“It’s awesome. It’s hard to explain. You have to experience it to know.”

Wanamaker’s enthusiasm is a reflection of the team’s attitude, and something that seems to have rubbed off on Groller.

“All the seniors that I thought would do that for the boys’ side, they’re coming through,” said Groller. “It’s a good unit. It’s a fun unit. We’ve got 37 sophomores and freshmen out of 53 men on the team. So we’re looking at big things.”

Northern Lehigh’s Seth Fronheiser had a big day, winning the 100 (11.8) and 200 (24.3) as the Bulldogs (2-4) posted a 111-30 win over Catty in the boys meet.

“Coming out with (wins) in the 100 and 200, every day at practice I’m trying to get better, and work on those events specifically,” said Fronheiser.

“And to me, it means a lot to keep getting the wins out of those events and get the team points.”

The two victories also put Northwestern’s girls team at 5-1.

Molly Tarvin powered to a win in the 3200 with a time of 12:01.0. Tarvin, along with Samantha Flickinger, Alena Smargiassi and Sarah Supplee, also won the 3200 relay in 11:43.5.

Tarvin was thrilled with both victories, especially the 3200.

“I am ecstatic. Very happy,” the senior said. “Last year, I had a rough patch, so a 12:01, that was my dream last year. I don’t think I got down there nearly as well. To be back where I was as a sophomore today on this track, I love that. I couldn’t be happier.”

Tarvin was satisfied, but still wants more, for herself – and the team.

“Moving forward, I would love to see my team win the league championship. I know we’re close; Southern Lehigh is always good. But if we can get over that … we’ve got our best horses, and everyone is getting better, getting trained up. I think we can do it this year, and I would love to see that for my senior year.”

Northern Lehigh’s Franki Dibilio had wins in the shot put (35-1) and discus (103-3) as the Bulldogs (2-4) topped Catty 76-70.

Dibilio’s mark in the shot put was a personal best, though she was pleased with both results.

“I’ve never really been good at disc(us) until this year. I don’t know, shot’s been my main focus. And this year I’ve started coming out with the disc(us), and, I don’t know, I’m just going from there.”

Dibilio credited work done in the offseason for helping her take another step forward in her development in both events.

The junior hopes to keep progressing as the season moves forward.

“I want to keep PR’ing. That’s all I can say about that,” she said. “I just want to keep beating myself and progressing. It’s satisfying.”

WEATHER OR NOT

… Teams had to deal with less than ideal weather conditions throughout the meet, with temperatures struggling to reach 40 degrees and snow squalls frequently moving through the area. “It was not what I expected on April 17, but overall today, I thought it was a pretty good day. I was happy with how the team did,” said Fronheiser.

BOYS

Northwestern 105, No. Lehigh 44

Northwestern 137, Catasauqua 12

Northern Lehigh 111, Catasauqua 30

100 - 1. Seth Fronheiser (Northern Lehigh) 11.8, 2. Wilquon Clemons (Catasauqua), 3. Robert Shoff (Northern Lehigh); 200 - 1. Seth Fronheiser (Northern Lehigh) 24.3, 2. Lucas Hardcastle (Northwestern), 3. Dylan Frantz (Northwestern); 400 - 1. Robert Leiser (Northwestern) 55.2, 2. Seth Fronheiser (Northern Lehigh), 3. Nathan Keller (Northern Lehigh); 800 - 1. Michael Rebert (Northwestern) 2:16.1, 2. Joseph Pleban (Northwestern), 3. Randal Zack (Northwestern); 1600 - 1. Phillip Castrine (Northwestern) 4:57.2, 2. Preston Kemery (Northern Lehigh), 3. Jason Blaine (Northwestern); 3200 - 1. Phillip Castrine (Northwestern) 10:56.1, 2. Preston Kemery (Northern Lehigh), 3.Carlton Davies (Northern Lehigh); 110 H - 1. Taylor Wanamaker (Northwestern) 18.5, 2. Nolan Hernandez (Northwestern), 3. Caleb Hankee (Northern Lehigh); 300 H - 1. Taylor Wanamaker (Northwestern) 44.7, 2. Nolan Hernandez (Northwestern), 3. Chase Ohlson (Northern Lehigh); 400 relay - 1. Northwestern (Jayden Allen, Lucas Hardcastle, Dylan Frantz, Ryan Baker) 48.3, 2. Catasauqua; 1600 relay - 1. Northwestern (Andrew Cornell, Robert Leiser, Joseph Pleban, Michael Rebert) 3:58.5, 2. Northern Lehigh; 3200 relay - 1. Northwestern (Brandon Smeltz, Matthew Boushell, Reed Conrey, Robert Leiser) 9:25.0, 2. Northern Lehigh; Shot put - 1. Jason Garcia (Northwestern) 39-9.5, 2. Josh Fritchman (NL), 3. Conner Snyder (NW); Discus - 1. Jason Garcia (Northwestern) 118-8, 2. Hunter Miller (Northwestern), 3. Trevor Hoffman (Northern Lehigh); Javelin - 1. Hunter Miller (Northwestern) 137-6, 2. Michael Marrazzo (Northwestern), 3. Sam Yadush (Northwestern); Long jump - 1. Justin Rodda (Northwestern) 19-6, 2. Zachary Rosmalia (Northwestern), 3. Robert Shoff (Northern Lehigh); Triple jump - 1. Robert Shoff (Northern Lehigh) 42-6.5, 2. Zachary Rosmalia (Northwestern), 3. Dante Kaintz (Catasauqua); High jump - 1. Robert Shoff (Northern Lehigh) 5-10, 2. Zachary Moyer (Northern Lehigh), 3. Devin Thomas (Northwestern); Pole vault

- 1. John McArdle (Northwestern) 8-6, 2. Jack Casciano (Northwestern).

GIRLS

Northwestern 91, Northern Lehigh 59

Northwestern 104, Catasauqua 45

Northern Lehigh 76, Catasauqua 70

100 - 1. Tyra Brown (Catasauqua) 13.3, 2. Jill Olewine (Northern Lehigh), 3. Kristen Guelcher (Northern Lehigh); 200 - 1. Tyra Brown (Catasauqua) 27.6, 2. Jill Olewine (Northern Lehigh), 3. Shaina Mazzocca (Northern Lehigh); 400 - 1. Lauren Schellhamer (Northwestern) 1:03.7, 2. Shaina Mazzocca (Northern Lehigh), 3. Lauren Hinks (Northwestern); 800 - 1. Madeline Consuelos (Northwestern) 2:33.1, 2. Alyssa Zack (Northwestern), 3. Alexis Rushatz (Catasauqua); 1600 - 1. Allison Costa (Northwestern) 5:45.7, 2. Katie Guelcher (Northern Lehigh), 3. Alexis Rushatz (Catasauqua); 3200 - 1. Molly Tarvin (Northwesten) 12:01.0, 2. Hannah Herzon (Northwestern), 3. Alison Lorah (Northern Lehigh); 100 H - 1. Emma Fogal (Northwestern) 18.1, 2. Allyson Hinks (Northwestern), 3. Amy Huber (Catasauqua); 300 H - 1. Sarah Supplee (Northwestern) 52.8, 2. Trinity Kern (Catasauqua), 3. Emma Fogal (Northwestern); 400 relay - 1. Catasauqua (Tyra Brown, Kenzie Bradley, Madison Hicks, Amy Huber) 54.0, 2. Northwestern; 1600 relay - 1. Catasauqua (Madison Emery, Tyra Brown, Madison Hicks, Alexis Rushatz) 4:42.5, 2. Northwestern; 3200 relay - 1. Northwestern (Samantha Flickinger, Alena Smargiassi, Sarah Supplee, Molly Travin) 11:43.5, 2. Catasauqua; Shot put - 1. Franki Dibilio (Northern Lehigh) 35-1, 2. Sage Christopher (Northwestern), 3. Kayla Leibensperger (Northwestern); Discus - 1. Franki Dibilio (Northern Lehigh) 103-3, 2. Sage Christopher (Northwestern), 3. Francine Ohlson (Northern Lehigh); Javelin - 1. Tory Simmons (Catasauqua) 89-6, 2. Jenna Zarkoski (Northern Lehigh), 3. Abigail Chisdak (Northwestern); Long jump - 1. Kenzie Bradley (Catsauqua) 16-10.75, 2. Jill Olewine (Northern Lehigh), 3. Caroline Fogal (Northwestern); Triple jump - 1. Jill Olewine (Northern Lehigh) 32-9, 2. Caroline Fogal (Northwestern), 3. Olivia Romig (Northern Lehigh); High jump - 1. Kenzie Bradley (Catasauqua) 4-8, 2. Caroline Fogal (Northwestern), 3. Abigail Peters (Northwestern); Pole vault

- 1. Leila Toth (Northwestern) 7-0, 2. Abby Merkle (Northern Lehigh), 3. Sydney Derr (Northwestern).