Bethlehem Catholic High School, often called Becahi, stands as a parochial high school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a notable history extending back to its formal dedication on August 24, 1926. Since its opening, the school has been staffed with Sisters of St.
PIAA Wrestling: Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional vs. Ryan Anderson, Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic High School competes athletically in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) in the District XI division of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, one of the premier high school athletic divisions in the nation.
Historical Achievements
Bethlehem Catholic has a rich tradition of success in Pennsylvania wrestling, having won seven PA state tournament titles (2nd all-time) and seven PA state dual championships, the last coming in 2020. Bethlehem Catholic has won nine District XI dual championships in its history.
BECA has sent 180 wrestlers to the PA state tournament in their history and won 100 medals, 6th all-time in Pennsylvania history. The Golden Hawks 10 state champions rank them 4th on the PA all-time list, and they have crowned a state champion in each of the last 10 seasons.
The Bethlehem Catholic wrestling team secured a spot in PIAA History as they captured a fourth straight PIAA Class AA State Dual Team Championship. BECA achieved the feat in dominating fashion as they cruised to a 41-15 win in the Finals over District 10 Champion Reynolds. In their four matches at the GIANT Center Bethlehem Catholic only gave up 18 points to their opponents. In total they recorded a point total of 235-18 in four matches. Head Coach Jeff Karam and his squad remained undefeated at 15-0 for the 2014 Season.
Read also: The Lake Catholic Program
Key Moments and Rivalries
It took a powerful -- if unpleasant -- image to helpoverturn 30 years of adverse history againstSaturday night. The unbridled joy on the Becahi sideline afterwards reflected the intense satisfaction the Golden Hawks took from beating Easton, thus checking off perhaps the one accomplishment they had been lacking in their recent revival.
Easton couldn't have done much more than it did to stretch Becahi's agony to 31 years. The Rovers pulled upsets at 120 and 126 -- seniorthumping Becahi sophomore8-2 at 120 and Easton sophomoredowning senior2-1 in a tiebreaker at 126 -- that erased a 23-17 Becahi lead gained bypin at 113 (Brown and Cruz shared the the Chuck Leiderman Award for the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Easton-Becahi match, as voted by a media panel).
It was the second time Easton had rallied from a six-point deficit for a tie -- Becahi led 17-11 after 220 but Rovers(285) and(106) won decisions. The Rovers just kept on coming but Becahi always had just a little extra in reserve, and winning the coin flip allowed the Hawks to get the matchups they wanted, especially at 152 and 195.
Easton coach Steve Powell couldn't have asked for more from his team. What Powell may not have loved was a key decision by referee Matt Billy in the second period of Richy Cruz's 3-2 defeat ofat 138. Billy awarded Cruz a takedown in a situation where Cruz's control of the Rover came and went very quickly. The takedown proved the difference.
Cruz's win followed5-0 decision and put Becahi up 29-23. Easton hadn't led since after the night's second bout -- Rover seniorhad opened the match with a pin at 152 -- but Easton still had a chance to pin and win at 145.
Read also: Discover the story of Casey Swiderski
The Rovers would have won a 29-all tie on the third criteria (most technical falls) but Becahi'swrestled smartly in a 3-1 loss to. So did everyone who stepped on the mat Saturday night in a match few will ever forget.
Brad Wilson covers sports for lehighvalleylive.com, focusing on scholastic wrestling, Lehigh wrestling, football, track and field and cross country.
Escape the Rock Tournament
Bethlehem Catholic will be making their 12th appearance at Escape the Rock. The Golden Hawks have won 5 ETR championships in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018 & 2019.
ESCAPE THE ROCK BOYS -JANUARY 17 & 18, 2026 - ESCAPE THE ROCK GIRLS - DECEMBER 13 & 14, 2025
Additional Information
Allentown Central Catholic and Bethlehem Catholic chose to compete in the PIAA in 1973.
Read also: Sectional Wrestling Tournament Details
By 1974, many Catholic schools had made the switch to the PIAA ; 49 were full-fledged members including nine from District XI according to an Associated Press article.
Support the Program
Being a national caliber wrestling team requires funds for traveling to national tournaments and hotel stays. Equipment Running a high level wrestling program requires equipment such as new mats for the wrestling room, mat tape, mat cleaning supplies, stationary bikes, treadmills, weights and uniforms. Your donation will help us provide these for our wrestlers. Pursue DreamsHelp our wrestlers pursue their academic and athletic dreams by going on to compete and learn at prestigious universities and beyond.