The depth in Monmouth County boys cross-country may be as good as it has ever been, highlighted by Christian Brothers Academy, the defending national champions and preseason No. 1.
As if the Colts’ stable of runners wasn’t enough, Freehold Township High School’s Dylan Tarpey and Kevin Summonte have both turned in quick times at Holmdel Park, as has Colts Neck High School’s Riley Leder. Middletown High School North’s Tom O’Neill and Holmdel High School’s Jack Baisley are also in the mix. So, too, is Red Bank Catholic High School senior Rob Napolitano.
Napolitano stamped himself as one of the state’s best back in June when he lowered his school record in the 1,600 meters to 4:12.10 and he placed sixth at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions (MOC).
Caseys head coach Rob DeFilippis believes that Napolitano is ready to compete at the highest level among the best in the county and the state. His personal best on Holmdel’s 5K course is 16:30.
“He’s had a good summer (of training),” said the coach. “He’s much, much stronger. He ran 4:12 at the Meet of Champions and he now has that confidence that he belongs (with the best).”
DeFilippis said that “it should be fun” following Napolitano’s exploits this fall.
Napolitano is without a doubt the leader of a Red Bank Catholic team that has experience in juniors Kyle Bogert and Nick Landolfi. Sophomores Justin McInnis and Ryan Coyle will be key runners in the pack behind Napolitano.
The team received a boost when junior Connor McNamara decided to forgo playing football to run cross-country. He’s a sub-2:00 half-miler.
“It’s huge for him,” DeFilippis said of McNamara’s decision. “He told me this is what I want to do. I want to give up football.”
This is a rare season of lower expectations for the Red Bank Catholic girls, arguably the state’s most successful program. Over the last two years, the Caseys have graduated Molly McNamara, Liana Marzano, Lindsey Bellaran and Meghan McMullin. They were all runners who teamed up to win national relay championships. McNamara, Marzano and Bellaran were all MOC champions in track.
“We have some holes to fill,” said DeFilippis.
But, the cupboard isn’t exactly bare.
“I like our depth,” said DeFilippis. “It’s more than I’ve had before.
I have 10 or 12 kids in the mix, which is pretty good.”
The Caseys, who will be minus a true frontrunner, will run more as a pack this fall and they will try to use that depth to win.
Seniors Kassi Chrysthanpolous and Mary Kate Dooley are expected to provide the leadership for what is a young team.
Sophomores Mary Kate Mc- Namara, Erin Mills, Grace Eckstein and Emily Rienzo all ran under 5:30 in the 1,600 meters. They are both the present and future of the Red Bank Catholic team.
DeFilippis expects his young harriers to develop as the season progresses and by November “we’ll be in the mix.”
There has been one big change to the schedule that pleases DeFilippis. Rather than running dual meets in the A Central Division this fall, there will be one big meet on Oct. 2 at Holmdel Park.
“I like that,” he said. “It’s much like a college season and you’re able to train without the distraction of dual meets.
This division championship race will be a championship event in every way. For the girls, defending MOC champion Rumson- Fair Haven Regional High School and Red Bank Catholic can get a good look at where each stands. The race will also include a talented Holmdel squad, as well as St. John Vianney High School.
Red Bank Catholic will officially begins its season at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth at the Bernie Magee Class Meet on Sept. 22.
Following the division meet, the other major meets are the Shore Coaches Invitational on Oct. 6 (Holmdel Park), the Monmouth County Championships on Oct. 16 (Holmdel Park), Shore Conference Championships on Oct. 25 (Ocean County Park, Lakewood), NJSIAA Group Championships on Nov. 10 (Holmdel Park) and the Meet of Champions on Nov. 17 (Holmdel Park).