There isn’t much that Bethlehem Catholic’s wrestling program hasn’t won in recent memory, but there is one trophy that the Hawks will have their eyes set on as they embark on this season - the PIAA 3A state championship.

The Golden Hawks are primed to win the only team trophy in the state of Pennsylvania that has eluded them in head coach Jeff Karam’s eighth year as leader of the program.

The Hawks return nine state qualifiers from last year’s 18-1 team, who were co-champs in the East Penn Conference, as well as District 11 3A champions.

The Hawks accumulated the most points in the individual district and Northeast regional tournament, as well as taking home a third place team finish at the PIAA dual meet tournament.

With four state medalists on the roster, along with two-time state champion Luke Karam back in the fold, this year’s group of Hawks may be the best group assembled under Karam.

“We have a good nucleus returning,” Karam said. “Looking to compete for league, district, and state honors. Pretty good depth throughout line up. A lot of leadership and good flexibility throughout line up.”

Sean Redington (Sr., 106/113), Luke Carty (Jr., 120), Luke Karam (Sr., 126/132), Joey Gould (Sr., 132/138), Stephen Maloney (Sr., 145/152), Cole Karam (Sr., 145/152), Mikey Labriola (Jr., 160/170), Adam Soldridge (Sr., 170/182) and Brandon Blobe (Sr., 195/220) round out the nine returning state medalists for the Hawks.

Incoming freshman, Ryan Anderson (113), comes in with a nationally ranked junior high pedigree as well.

Becahi doesn’t have many, if not any, holes on the roster, and are clear cut favorites to take home every trophy in their path, with the 3A state championship as their clear motivation.

Coming into the season nationally ranked by three publications, 4th (USA Today), 5th (Flowrestling), 6th (Intermat), the Hawks are primed for a memorable year.

“Nothing really needs to be said, we fell short of our goals as a team last year,” Karam said. “We’re very focused, even early in the season, of what we want to accomplish as a team.”