The expectations at Bethlehem Catholic are always high on the wrestling mats and the Hawks walk into this weekend’s District 11 wrestling championships as the big dogs again.

The defending state champions are again the favorites to come away with the team title this weekend at Memorial Gymnasium and should push to advance the most wrestlers to next week’s Northeast Regional tournament.

The Hawks won’t have a participant at heavyweight throughout the postseason, but the rest of the lineup includes Nico Emili (107); Louden Hower (113); Reef Dillard (121); Keanu Dillard (127); Andre Cerrato (133); Ryder Campbell (139); Marco Frinzi (145); Jaden Santiago (152); Charlie Scanlan (160); Shane McFillin (172); James Deluise (189) and Connor Gillahan (215).

Last year the Hawks had five finalists, including both Dillards, McFillin and Scanlan. All four of them will be favored to land in the championship round Saturday afternoon again, but don’t sleep on Campbell, Frinzi and Deluise from making appearances too, as all three took third at districts a year ago.

Keanu Dillard and McFillin are the only two returning district champs for Becahi and look to lead the group again.

Hawks’ head coach Mike Cole knows his team has gone through more wrestling than everyone else this season outside of Nazareth, so the Hawks haven’t had the benefit of more days off, but that doesn’t change what they expect to do and why this is the best time of the year.

“We are dinged up just like everyone else,” he said. “We are not dealing with major injuries anymore except Mason Thomas who broke his leg and it is well known he is out. I just enjoy the intensity this time of year. The challenge to coach our kids to their peak performance.”