In a critical section match-up, the boys cross country team defeated Baldwin 22-33 (lower score wins) and USC 19-38 on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Baldwin.

The Hawks were trying to avenge a recent second place finish where Baldwin just edged them out at the Cal U invitational. They were also trying to win to keep their chances at a winning record alive.

Before the boys made the trip over to Baldwin, Coach Hartnell gave the runners an idea on where they needed to finish for this race to be won.

As the race began, the runners seemed to be in the right spots they needed to be. Dan Spanner, Shane Burkhart, Andrew Dougher, and Ryan Zimba were all towards the front of the race.

There was a battle for first going on for this race. Bethel Park’s Dan Spanner and Baldwin’s top runner were neck and neck. In an exciting finish, Spanner out-kicked Baldwin’s top runner on the final straightaway. Burkhart, not far behind, finished in third, Dougher in fifth, Zimba in sixth, and Nick Marsteller in eleventh. As well having solid races were David Erzen and Mike Smith.

Bethel Park will wrap up their section meets on Tuesday as they race Chartiers Valley and Trinity at Chartiers Valley at 4 p.m.