Two Bethlehem Catholic harriers are headed to the PIAA State Cross Country Championships after qualifying at the District XI Class 2A Cross Country Championships last Wednesday at DeSales University.

Margaret Burke placed 16th and ran a time of 22:42.94.

“I was close, my freshman year, to going to states, but I didn’t, so I had the motivation to give it a strong finish, and I’ve always had a good kick at the end,” said Burke, a senior. “I went out a lot stronger this week, and it was easier to pace myself on the course. The hills are always tough, but we did a lot of training on hills this year, so it was easier to pass people.”

Mekhi Britt placed 13th and ran a time of 18:16.52.

“I knew it was going to be close for states, and I tried to run as hard as I can,” Britt said. “Unfortunately, I slipped and fell going down one of these hills because it was very muddy today, but I was able to pass up the kid who passed me, and that is what put me into the state conversation and eventually got me into states, so I am grateful for my spirit and my ability to push hard. The whole race was hard, but I’m excited that I get to be at states, and next year I’ll get to improve upon this year.”

Becahi cross country coach Kassi Yocco followed all the Golden Hawk runners throughout their races, running from mile to mile to check on their progress.

“I was sprinting. I think I clocked four miles, running from each mile and up the hills,” Yocco smiled. “I’m super, super proud of both of them. They work so hard.”

Northwestern Lehigh’s Matthew Santana won the boys race with a time of 16:52.08, and Wilson’s Avery Errico won the girls race with a time of 20:07.02.

In team results, Becahi’s girls placed fifth out of 11, and Becahi’s boys were 12th out of 14.

Also competing for the Hawks at the district meet were Adriana Simmons, Aiyah Brame, Remiah Rivera, Mary Thornburg, Sydney Bennett, Ella Spanja, Brandon Andrews, Louis Julius Horvath, Zachary Neff, Blake Morrow, Ethan Stoss, and David Lembach.

The state meet is scheduled for Nov. 5 in Hershey where Burke will compete at 11:45 a.m., and Britt will race at 2 p.m.