Elite Teams Set To Run On NXR Regional Course At Bowdoin Park 

By John Nepolitan for DyeStat

With the return of Nike Cross Nationals this fall, some of the top teams and individuals in New York and the Northeast region will compete at the Bowdoin Park Cross Country Classic and use it as an opportunity to get familiar with the regional course at Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

Headlining Saturday's race is a loaded Varsity B race tha will bring together U.S. top 10 teams Christian Brothers Academy (No. 6) and Union Catholic (No. 10), as well as New York No. 1 Corning-Painted Post (US #28).

CBA brings back 13 of its 14 fastest runners from last year and could be headed for a big season with its quality pack and depth. 

"My top group is the best I've had as a coach," CBA coach Sean McCafferty said.

Union Catholic, which finished fourth at the RunningLane Cross Country Championships last year, has junior standout Jimmy Wischusen and several other key returnees as well as new transfers. Wischusen is ranked No. 9 in the DyeStat Top 30 individuals. 

Corning-Painted Post, led by Ashton Bange, is looking to extend its reign in New York after winning the state title last year. 

The Varsity A race lineup includes New Jersey's  third and fourth best teams, Westfield and Haddonfield Memorial. Those teams are also ranked third and fifth, respectively, in the region. Xavier CT and Somers NY are also in the race. Tri-Valley's Adam Furman is one of the top individuals to watch in the race. 

In the Varsity A girls race, Haddonfield (Northeast#4) will take on New Milford CT, the reigning Connecticut Open champion, led by Sydney Kelleher. 

In the Varsity B race, Union Catholic (Northeast#2) will take on Greenwich CT, Ridgewood NJ and Bronxville NY.