Prior to the Class AA District 11 Cross Country Championships, Bethlehem Catholic runner John Donchez did all the right things in preparation for his ninth place finish last Wednesday at the Bethlehem Municipal Field.

"I took it easy, I focused mentally, I took care of my legs yesterday, and I knew I was ready," Donchez said.

The Becahi senior had a fast start and was in eighth place for the first mile.

"I wanted to stay right behind the Central kid and the Notre Dame kid, and I had to keep my flow going all the way to the finish," said Donchez.

Teammates, Eric Braun, Dominic Santanasto, Quinn Stasa, Trevor Kleckner, and Bryce Orlaski also competed in the district meet.

Stasa said, "I went out faster than normal. I wanted to get out there and not get trapped."

Stasa finished the race in 19:22, Kleckner in 19:35, Orlaski in 19:40, Santanasto in 19:05, and Braun in 19:04.

Braun said, "I really wanted to go to states. I felt like we ran well, but I'm just disappointed."

During the final mile, Santanasto reminded the senior Hawks that there was one mile left in their high school cross country careers.

"I knew it was the last one, so we couldn't leave anything out there," said Santanasto.

Donchez still has 3.1 miles to go however, competing in the PIAA State Cross Country Championships on Nov. 2 in Hershey.