Bethlehem Catholic has won three straight PIAA wrestling championships and the Golden Hawks will be in the mix again this winter when a trip to Hershey comes along.

There’s no denying the talent the Hawks have, even when they lose star wrestlers like senior and two-time state champion Kollin Rath, who left earlier this year to train at the United State Olympic Center.

He’s the third Hawk to leave in recent years, but it hasn’t changed the results for Becahi.

Bethlehem Catholic is still the favorite to win the EPC crown and District 11 tournament, if not, the PIAA crown once again.

Head coach Mike Cole doesn’t talk about those things this early in the year, rather just wants his group to focus on getting better daily.

“It feels like last year,” said Cole. “Kids need to develop as year goes along. If we develop wrestlers we will be ok. I want them to get faster feet, improve left and right mobility, better hand fighting and motion to create timing shots and misdirection attacks and creating distance and angles between hips when on bottom.”

Back for the Hawks are seniors Marco Frinzi (152), Ryder Campbell (139), Shane McFillin (172), Charlie Scanlan (160) and James Deluise (189).

Juniors Keanu Dillard (127), Grady Miletics and Grant Mulhern (HWT) return along with a large sophomore class including Louden Hower (121), Reef Dillard (133), Zayden Torres, Mason Thomas (145), Adrian Victoria, Nicholas Reyes, Zach Papscy, Justin Martinez, James Bozzi and Vasilios Tsamoutaudis.

Newcomers include seniors Juan Moya Rubio and Jackson Neidert, along with sophomore Connor Gillahan (215). The freshman contingent this year brings in AJ Gomez, Nico Emilo (107), Andre Ceratto (114), Jaden Santiago and Joey Deleo.

Keanu Dillard and McFillin return as district and regionals champions, with Dillard taking home the state title last year at 121-pounds.

McFillin took third in the state last year at 145, joining Frinzi (fifth at 139) and Deluise (seventh at 189) as other returning state medalists.

Scanlan, Campbell and Reef Dillard were also state qualifiers last year giving the Hawks seven wrestlers with state experience.

Becahi opens the season on Dec. 4 against Emmaus before heading off to the Ironman Tournament on Dec. 6 and 7.

“It is hard to pin point any individuals,” said Cole of this year’s team. “Pay attention to our freshmen in general. If they develop we will have a decent team.”