Kollin Rath knows his time at Bethlehem Catholic is coming to an end, but he’s soaking up every minute he has left as he enters his senior year.

The two-time state champion wrestler will be going for his third-straight PIAA crown next winter and his dominance on the mat over his three years at Becahi crowns the veteran wrestler as this year’s Male Athlete of the Year for Bethlehem Catholic.

Rath was superb last season, going 45-1 en route to sweeping the individual postseason with District 11, Northeast Regional and PIAA championships at 152-pounds.

It was the third straight district and regional titles for the upcoming senior, who also played a pivotal role in helping the Hawks win their third-straight PIAA team title in Hershey in February by knocking off Easton 33-24.

“From this past year I’d say winning team states is my favorite memory,” said Rath. “It’s an amazing experience. I’ve had the chance to be apart of some amazing teams and I know we can’t wait to go for our fourth state title.

“But over my career beating Malvern my sophomore year is definitely my favorite moment. Everyone had to do their job that night. And it was an insane environment to wrestle in. It’s definitely a night I’ll never forget.”

Rath now sports a 107-4 record through three seasons, suffering only two losses over the past two years, both coming in the semifinals of the Ironman Tournament.

He lost both of those matchups by a point and wants to erase that trend this season to bring home the one elusive gold medal he hasn’t been able to win wearing a Beca singlet.

“This year I want to win Ironman,” he said. “The past two years I’ve lost in the semis by a point in matches I was winning at some point. It’s definitely the hardest tournament on our schedule but I know that when the time comes I’m going to be ready to win it.”

Rath already has his college checklist squared away, as he committed to Missouri to wrestle Division I. He’s part of a long lineage of Beca wrestlers that have made their way to the top of collegiate wrestling, as he hopes the next level of his wrestling journey can be fruitful as well in the win column.

“I can’t wait to get to college wrestling,” Rath said. “It’s a completely different sport at the next level. I grew up watching all these greats winning national titles and soon it’ll be my turn.

“Having my decision out of the way feels pretty good. It was definitely something that was weighing on me heading into last year and as soon as I made my decision it felt like all this weight was off my shoulders. I definitely think I made the right decision though. And heading into senior year with this decision already made just means I get another year where I get to grow and improve.”

Another year with the program gives him an opportunity to add to his already illustrious legacy, giving him one more season to make more history with the Lehigh Valley’s most dominant team.

“Being apart of Beca means a lot to me,” he said. “There’s a lot of tradition and history behind Beca wrestling and it’s been pretty cool to be able to wrestle with the teams I’ve been around and write our own path in that history. I used to watch and look up to a lot of the teams that have won state titles and now it’s kind of come full circle to where it’s my turn to lead one of those teams.”