Christian Brothers NJ, Brookline MA Set To Race In Early Northeast Regional Matchup

Words and Photos by John Nepolitan of DyeStat

In one of the first significant racing opportunities in the Northeast and New York, ranked teams from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts will see how they measure up at the Bowdoin Park Cross Country Classic on Saturday. 

It's a chance for teams to solidify their standing in the state and regional rankings, or shake things up on the course that serves as the site of the Nike Cross Regional meets for New York and the  Northeast.

Cool, wet conditions are expected. 

Here is a closer look at some of the top races:

Girls A race (10 a.m. Eastern)

Featured teams include last year’s winner Haddonfield, No. 4 in the DyeStat Northeast Regional rankings and the second-ranked team in New Jersey. Other strong teams in the field include New Milford CT and Pingry NJ.

Boys A race (10:30 a.m.)

Perhaps the deepest race of the day which will feature Connecticut's top team, Ridgefield, led by Steven Hergenrother, who last year was runner-up at the CT State Open and placed third at the New England Championships. He later ran a fast 4:01 1,600-meter leg to lead Ridgefield to the New Balance Nationals Outdoor DMR title. Challenging Ridgefield are state rivals New Milford and Xavier.

From New Jersey, DyeStat Northeast #4 and US#32 Westfield will go to the starting line with  strong groups from Haddonfield and Southern Regional. New York No. 4 Brooklyn Tech, the defending NY PSAL Champions, and last year's state champion, Corning-Painted Post, lead the way. St. Anthony’s, a 2022 NXN qualifier, will also return to the course, which will also be the site of the New York Federation Championship.  

La Salle Academy of Rhode Island is also entered. 

Girls B (11 a.m.)

Greenwich, the No. 4 team in Connecticut, faces New Jersey No. 12 Mainland. Hunter College Campus from New York could be right in the mix for the team win as well. 

Boys B (11:30 a.m.) 

The most interesting matchup could happen here, with US#8 Christian Brothers Academy NJ looking to affirm its No. 1 ranking in the Northeast. Joe Barrett and his teammates will face US#28 Brookline MA, the third-ranked team in the Northeast. Also in the field will be Connecticut powers Danbury and Greenwich, New York No. 5 Hunter College Campus and New Jersey's Pingry.