Boys cross country has had a successful season, and is looking to end it strong on Thursday, Oct. 23 as they travel to Cooper’s Lake in Slippery Rock for their season finale.

As a team they have been successful posting a 5-3 record in section competition. Additionally, they have had success at invitationals, most notably a second place finish at the Cal U invitational and third place finish at the Mingo invitational.

Bethel Park hopes to accomplish a lot more at Thursday’s WPIAL showdown.

Co-captain and Bethel Park’s top runner Shane Burkhart had this to say about his goals for the team on Thursday.

“It would be nice to beat the teams in our section that we have recently lost to in invitationals like Baldwin and Chartiers Valley. I also hope to see us place near or in the top ten.”

As for himself, Burkhart said “I hope to qualify for states and to place well.”

Other co-captain Ryan Zimba added the following expectations.

“My goal heading into tomorrow is for the team to finish in the top ten. I also think a couple of our guys have a shot at making states. As for me, I want to run a PR (personal record) and place as high as I can.”

Bethel Park has come a long way since the beginning of the year, and has faced some adversity along the way.

Burkhart said, “There were definitely some team goals that were not accomplished this year. But overcoming our many costly injuries to our team, we managed to have a good season, and our hard work shows in our winning section record.”

The team has bonded and gotten along well.

Zimba said, “I think this year’s team is a lot more fun than has been in years past. The guys hang out a lot more outside of the practices and meets.”

The undoubted favorite going into tomorrow’s race has to be eight-time defending WPIAL champs, North Allegheny.

They are led by senior runners Matt McGoey and Hunter Wharrey.

Some of the other challengers to the team championship include Mt. Lebo, Central Catholic, and North Hills.

Bethel Park has much left to accomplish at the WPIAL championships and has the attitude and athletes to accomplish those goals.