Bethlehem Catholic High School track and field coach Fred Rice has his hands full with 157 athletes on the roster this year, and he couldn’t be happier.

In addition, the Hawks have finally found a place to practice since Becahi does not have a track.

“Our A.D. Chris Domyan called Freedom’s A.D. Nate Stannard and asked if they would have any time availability, and then their new coach Ben Reph and I figured out what to do, how to lock up, and things like that,” said Rice. “They were so nice, and we are so thankful to them.”

The Hawks practice there twice a week, and Rice drives the team to and from Freedom on Becahi’s bus.

“What a difference being able to go to a track is,” Rice said. “The kids just want to stay and stay. It’s like Christmas to them. The jumpers would jump forever if I let them.”

Rice and his assistants Nicole Chickey, Tyler Horton, and Jeanna Sante-Stefano use those days as structural, technical practice days.

“We work on hand-offs, hurdles, jumping in the pits, and there’s a throwing area we use,” said Rice.

Rowan Pepe, Lauren Bunke, and Mary Frances Scheidel are the top distance runners for the girls’ team, and Allison Hontz is returning as a sprinter.

“Ally is experiencing senior year in the right way, trying different events, like the long jump,” Rice said.

Elizabeth Lieb is also a long jumper and triple jumper and runs the 400. Makayla Jones is on the 4x1 and 4x4 relay teams, and is doing the 300 hurdles.

Becahi has two returning school record holder throwers, Rachel Tanczos in the discus and Tessa Zamolyi in the javelin.

On the boys’ team, William Tucker is returning in the 800 and 1600, and Brandon Kelly is returning in several events.

“William is having a really nice year for us and showing good leadership,” said Rice. “Brandon holds the school record in the javelin. He’s a good all-around athlete. He’s also doing the triple jump, sprints, and shot put.”

Shamus Williams competes in hurdles and the 4x1 relay.

Zaheer Seabrooks, Joe Kurtz, Daiszhun Rhodes, and Randy Terry are all sprinters, while Seabrooks also competes in the triple jump.

Matt Bisco is also a triple jumper in addition to being a sprinter and javelin thrower.

Coach Rice is less concerned about the Hawks’ win-loss records than his athletes’ progress leading up to leagues and districts, although the girls’ team lost two of their meets by less than four points.

This week, the Hawks will have faced Freedom past Press deadlines at the track on which both teams practice.