Bethlehem Catholic High School's track and field team is in the unusual situation of having different classifications for its girls and boys; specifically, the girls will compete at the 2A level for districts, and the boys will compete at 3A.

The reason is enrollment numbers and the boys missing the 2A classification by two, but that is only making the Hawks more determined to compete against the teams they've been facing all year in the East Penn Conference.

"It will be a good challenge," said Becahi senior captain, John Spirk. "Last year, we got second to Nazareth in leagues and beat them in districts [in the 4x4 relay]."

Spirk is expected to compete in the 4x4 and 4x8 as well as the 300 hurdles.

"I dropped a second [in the hurdles] in the last few meets, and I'm feeling better about it. [In the relays] our hand-offs are phenomenal. Our coach taught us how to do it pretty well, and we're pretty consistent," Spirk said. "I think we have an honest shot for the boys team.

The Hawks expect to be competitive in all sprints and the 4x1 relay as well.

For the girls team, Coach Fred Rice is using the conference meet this week to prepare them for districts next week, expecting the Hawks to do well in all three relays, the 100 and 200 meter dash, and the mile and two mile.

Becahi senior, Nicole Lacherza, believes that the girls team victory over Freedom was a significant one.

"A lot of girls have been injured, and with the weather so cold, it was hard for our muscles to get loose, so it proved we are back, and our hard work will pay off," Lacherza said.

Practice conditions have also improved, meaning the use of the track at Liberty.

"Sprinting-wise, we are fast. [In the relays] our hand offs are not bad. It's much easier to practice now because we have a track, finally," said Lacherza.

The East Penn Conference Track and Field Meet will have begun on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday at Whitehall High School. District championships are scheduled for next week, also at Whitehall High School.