Bethlehem Catholic’s cheerleaders were crowned district champions for the second consecutive year after competing in the District XI Cheerleading Competition on Saturday at Easton Area Middle School.

The Hawks won their division, the small division, and were overall champions with a total score of 253.30.

“I could see they were feeling confident and ready to go,” said Becahi coach Colleen Iannetta. “Once they hit the partner stunts, I could just see the relief and happiness on their faces and I knew they were going to hit the rest of the routine.”

The Hawks’ goal was to hit 0 (no falls or deductions).

“We achieved that goal, so we were all really pumped,” Iannetta said.

The squad of 16 includes: Bridget Ehrig, Reagan Zemgulis, Gina Gaglione, Paige Mathur, Natalia Kokosky, Megan Papscy, Mya Mitchell, Maura Harnett, McKenna Harnett, Reilly McNally, Keianna Lopez, Helen Hrazanek, Emma Valle, Juliana Gagliona, Olivia Maund, and Elise Lembach.

Becahi’s assistant coach is Alex Lisicky.

After the EPC Cheerleading Competition in December, the Hawks made some changes to their routine for districts.

“We added a more visual dismount to our partner stunt section, and we changed our pyramid to have some more creative elements,” said Iannetta. “I think we have a strong cheer, and the girls are confident in it when they perform, and it typically scores very well.”

Becahi will compete in the PIAA State Cheerleading Competition on Jan. 10 and 11 in Hershey.

Also competing at states from the small division will be second place Stroudsburg, third place Parkland, fourth place Wilson, fifth place Whitehall, sixth place Freedom, and seventh place Southern Lehigh.

Easton cheerleaders won the medium division, and Emmaus won the large division. Both will be competing at states, along with Pocono Mountain East, who won the coed division.

Eastburg South placed second in coed, and Pocono West placed third, and they also will be competing at states.

Northampton just missed out, taking eighth just behind Southern Lehigh which was the final state qualifier in the Small Division.