Ridge NJ Begins Journey In Northeast At No. 1, But Region Is Full Of Contenders 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Boys NXR Northeast Preview 

Cross country is coming back to life in the Northeast again and some of the usual suspects are rebuilding and growing after learning hard lessons about not taking anything for granted. 

But at the top of the list is a team with a dynamic collection of athletes that feels like it could be special. The boys from Ridge High in Basking Ridge, N.J. flew out West to The Outdoor Nationals presented by Nike in June and won the 4x800 relay in a US#1 time of 7:39.06. Two of the four legs on that team are graduated, but Jackson Barna and James Kisker are back. Barna figures to be one of the best runners on the East coast with a 3,200 best of 8:52 and Kisker is a 1:52 800-meter runner. 

The Northeast has not qualified for than two teams to Nike Cross Nationals since 2012, but the region should have a handful of high quality teams based on track times, with good teams dotting the map from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire. 

"The boys are excited for a more traditional XC experience this year," Xavier CT coach Chris Stonier said.

Connecticut will draw plenty of attention this fall for the spectacular potential of individuals Gavin Sherry (Conard) and Aidan Puffer (Manchester), but there a few really good teams in the state as well. 

And CBA may enter the season behind Ridge, but the Colts are reloading in a hurry and an eight-year streak of qualifying for nationals (2012-2019) is intact with an opportunity to grow.

1. Ridge NJ. The Red Devils have a chance to send athletes back to Oregon for the second time in 2021 after a remarkable showing in June at Hayward Field, where members of the team were part of the winning 4x800 and second-place Distance Medley Relay. Front-runner Jackson Barna gives the team a low stick capable of running with anyone. Behind him, Andrew McCabe (4:19 1,600), James Kisker (1:52/4:28), James Doran (4:29) and Jonathon Wey (4:33) and Hudson Yu (4:33) comprise a team capable of some serious damage. 

2. Christian Brothers Academy NJ. The Colts have qualified for nationals eight times in a row from 2012 to 2019 and as the program gets back on track another trip is possible. Last year's culminating event was the Holmdel Invitational, where CBA beat Ridge 48-64 for the team title. That team was led by three seniors who have gradutated but senior Jack Moran (4:21 1,600) leads a young, talented group that is on the rise and looking to carry CBA's legacy forward.     

3. Xavier CT.  Attention will be on Connecticut cross country like perhaps never before with the individual brilliance of Gavin Sherry (Conard) and Aidan Puffer (Manchester) sure to make headlines. But the competition for the state team title and a potential Nike Cross Nationals berth is going to be fierce, too. Senior Eamon Burke (4:22 full mile) is at the front of a deep group that returns its nine best distance runners from the spring. 

4. Bishop Hendricken RI. The nucleus of a strong team is in place in Rhode Island, with senior Evan McGregor joined by juniors Andrew Frezza, Troy Silvestri and Keegan Tierney all coming back from strong showings at the state track championships. In-state rival La Salle Academy is in a rebuilding phase so the Hawks should fly to the top this fall and have a real shot at returning to NXN, where they last competed in 2009 and 2018.  

5. Ridgefield CT.  Three members of the winning Distance Medley Relay team at Outdoor Nationals have graduated, but senior Benjamin Mickool gained valuable experience as part of that group and he is back to lead a solid group that includes senior Matthew McDonough, talented sophomore Steven Hergenrother and seniors Ryan Donovan and Jack Dovaras.

Watchlist

Lasalle College PA

St. John's Prep MA

La Salle Academy RI

North Allegheny PA

Coe-Brown Academy NH

Hall CT