For Bethlehem Catholic to crown nine champions in last weekend's District 11 2A tournament may not be a surprise to many.

After all, the Golden Hawks boast a star-studded lineup top to bottom that recently just earned its third straight PIAA title.

What some people forget, though, is this team isn't made up of just talented upperclassmen that are used to performing on the big stage.

Included on the squad are freshmen who have never participated under the bright lights of Liberty High School during the District 11 finals.

On Saturday, a couple of those freshmen not only got to experience the moment but they also contributed to that total of nine champions.

Luke Karam, at 106 pounds, and Lee Todora, at 132, both earned gold medals in their first district tries to highlight a record-setting evening.

"When you have two freshmen winning a title that's special," said Becahi head coach Jeff Karam, who is also Luke's father. "You don't get too many freshmen winning district championships, so I'm really happy for them. "Hopefully it's a springboard for next week and the following week - get them out to Hershey. I'd love to see both of them get a medal there."

After upsetting previously unbeaten Jaryd Flank of Wilson in the semifinals by fall, the fourth-seeded Karam opened the finals by holding off Palisades' Jacob Wasser, 2-1.

Karam used a reversal 40 seconds into the third period to take the lead and rode out Wasser the rest of the way.

"It was close in the first period," said Luke. "Jacob had a plan out there to slow me down. He wrestled me really well. I saved myself out there with my mat wrestling and my ability to hold him down on top. (The tournament) was a great learning experience, especially in the finals. Overall I thought I wrestled really well.

"It's somewhat nerve-wracking because you're the first match and everyone is really excited for the finals to start. After it's over, you feel a huge pressure lifted off your shoulders. To be able to sit back then and watch some of the incredible kids on my team like Darian (Cruz) and Zeke (Moisey) is great."

Todora also watched as Cruz and Moisey, as expected, grabbed titles at 120 and 126.

Both nationally-ranked wrestlers took down Pen Argyl opponents in the championship round. Cruz edged Matt Williams by a 5-3 score while Moisey registered a 20-5 technical fall against Andrew Sutton.

"If I'm not working out with Zeke, I'm also working out with Luke," said Cruz. "He's always picking at my brain. He's usually asking me what I think about stuff. I love that so much because he's always asking me about what's going on, especially wrestling-wise. For him to go out and perform and be a district champ is great.

"In the middle of the season (Lee) had a rough patch. He came out here and finally got the wins he needed, where it counts the most in the postseason. He's so young out there. I work out with him too, constantly pushing him. Just to see him and Luke succeed especially since I work out with both of him, it's almost like I'm a coach and I'm excited to see them as freshmen win district titles."

Todora grabbed a 3-0 lead against Pius X's Mike Comunale after two periods before surviving a wild third frame and claiming a 10-6 decision.

"This is unbelievable," said Todora. "This has been a dream of mine, to be a district champ as a freshman. I'm always trying to one-up my brother (Ryan) at everything we do and knowing that he didn't win districts in his freshman year helped motivate me.

"We wrestled at the Christmas City tournament and I beat him (Comunale) by a bigger score but in this match nerves definitely got to me. Being in a place like this with all these people ... definitely made me nervous."

He wasn't the only one.

Lee's brother, 138-pounder Ryan Todora, was a bit jittery watching his younger brother but after his sibling built an advantage and hung on it was back to business.

Ryan also took a 3-0 lead and hung on for a 3-2 win over Tri-Valley's Hunter Harner for the Hawks' fifth champ of the evening.

"I know I'm a nervous wreck with my brother wrestling before me," he said. "Thank goodness his match wasn't that close or I'd have a hard time out there because I'd use all my energy rooting for him."

No one had to root for Connor Hedash at 160 pounds as Tri-Valley's Ty Schoffstall forfeited to give the senior the gold medal.

The final three champs came from Jose Ortiz at 182 pounds, Josh Alpha at 195 pounds and Andrew Dunn at 285.

Ortiz, who used a takedown and three near-fall points to stop Lyle Troutman of Tri-Valley, also gained inspiration from the younger guys.

"They had a lot on their backs this season, but they stepped it up a lot," said Ortiz. "They came out this weekend and worked really hard. It definitely gives us a boost when they do well. I was here when I was freshman and seeing them in the finals is pretty impressive."

Alpha, who pulled away from Panther Valley's Richard Nase in the third period to post an 8-4 decision in his title match, also marveled at the success of his younger teammates.

"I think it's great because when I was freshman I lost my first two right away and was out," said Alpha. "Just to think that they won as a freshman, I can't imagine how well they're going to do as a senior. I'm proud of them."

Coach Karam also gave some praise to his heavyweight, sophomore Andrew Dunn, who closed things out with a 4-1 win over Panther Valley's Rian Shubeck. The title was Dunn's first and it allowed the Hawks to set a new District 11 Class AA record with the nine titles.

"I'm really proud of Andrew Dunn coming in here and winning that heavyweight championship," said Karam. "Really I'm proud of all my kids. They worked extremely hard and when you put the work in, good things are going to happen. That's what I always tell them, and tonight happened to be our night."