Bethlehem Catholic track and field coach Fred Rice was in the process of starting up practices, crunching the roster numbers affected by lacrosse, and waiting for some girls’ basketball players to get through the state tournament before returning to track, when news came that there would be no sports until further notice because of the coronavirus.

In the weeks since, Rice has been feeling like more than just a coach.

“Am I competitive? Yes, but I’m now feeling more like a parent and wanting to make sure nothing happens to my athletes. So when all this is going on, the winter sports teams, the college wrestlers, the NCAA basketball seniors that won’t get a chance, it’s so disheartening,” Rice said.

Some of Becahi’s senior boys decided not to return to the track and field team this year, but one who did return, Marco Calantoni, will have a lot of responsibility as the Hawks’ leader.

“Marco’s role this year is bigger than ever, and he’s very versatile,” said Rice.

Calantoni can compete in anything from the 100 meter dash to the 800 meter run, including relays.

Junior Matt Millen is also returning and will be counted on for events ranging from the 400 meter dash to the 3200 meter run.

Key returners for the Becahi girls’ team will be seniors Isabelle Rosario and Jaleesa Lanier, who are sprinters, junior Cailey Spanitz who is a pole vaulter and jumper, and freshmen Emily Pepe and Margaret Burke, along with sophomore Julia Bricco, who run mid distance/distance.

Although Coach Rice was not ready to name them, he noted that several new kids popped up on the team, and that the Hawks have got some really good young kids.