I n a race with both state and national implications, Christian Brothers Academy’s (CBA) cross-country team passed its first test with flying colors.
The Bowdoin Cross-Country Classic in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., featured CBA and La Salle Academy from Providence, R.I., two teams that were respectively ranked No. 1 in the country by various preseason polls, as well as Don Bosco Preparatory High School, which is expected to be CBA’s biggest challenger in New Jersey.
With Blaise Ferro outrunning everyone, the Colts turned back La Salle, 41-54, with Don Bosco finishing third (67).
Ferro, now a junior and pegged by head coach Tom Heath as perhaps CBA’s finest harrier ever, topped the field at Bowdoin Park, touring the 5K layout in 16:10.1.
Following Ferro, Jack Morris (16:30.7), Aidan Durney (16:31.9) and Nick Trigani (16:34.4) crossed the line in file from eighth through 10th in team scoring Thomas Dengler (16:38.9) completed the Colts’ scoring in 13th place. Greg Paugh (16:50.0) was next in 14th.
Only 28 seconds separated CBA’s five scorers, as Heath’s harriers made an earlyseason statement.
CBA will run its top seven again on Oct. 11 at the Manhattan Invitational at historic Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. This is the country’s biggest meet and one the Colts always like to leave their mark on. Like at Bowdoin, the Colts will be the defending champions.
Bowdoin Park will host the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional on Nov. 29. The top two teams at this race will automatically qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 6.
CBA has successfully used the September race at Bowdoin as prep for the regional in past seasons.
On Oct. 4, the Shore Coaches Invitational ushers in the first big test of the season for New Jersey teams. The race is at Holmdel Park, host of the NJSIAA Group and Meet of Championships state championships.