Dominant Performances Make Waves at Bowdoin Classic
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Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) made a powerful statement at the 17th Bowdoin Park XC Classic in Wappingers Falls, NY, delivering one of the most dominant performances by a New Jersey team in history. Led by senior Joe Barrett, who ran an incredible 15:25 to win by a wide margin-placing him No. 3 all-time on the challenging course-CBA set a course record with a 16:00 average, breaking the previous mark of 16:02.4 set by Fayetteville-Manlius in 2013.
Ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and No. 3 nationally, CBA's top five scorers finished in the top seven, securing a 20-point victory in the Division 2 race. The team's 1-5 split was just 54 seconds, and their scoring lineup included finishes of 1-3-4-5-7. Haddonfield, ranked No. 4 in NJ, placed second with 73 points, while Union Catholic took third with 148.
Barrett's 15:25.5 not only makes him the second-fastest runner ever on the Bowdoin course-behind only DJ Principe's 15:18 from 2016-but also shattered the New Jersey all-time record for Bowdoin, previously held by Jim Rosa, who ran 15:35.5 in 2010.
CBA's top five were rounded out by Luke Hnatt (third in 16:01.6), Ryan Schmitt (fourth in 16:05.7), Alex Mastroly (fifth in 16:09.0), and Gavin Schmitt (seventh in 16:20.3), showcasing the depth and dominance of the team.
Bowdoin Classic: Results | Photos
On the Girls' side, it was a similar showing of dominance, as Bethlehem NY served up a 24-second compression win. Led by 8th Grader Sophia Chromczak, the squad averaged 30-seconds faster than the runner-up, Nationally Ranked Union Catholic of NJ. Bethlehem leads New York State in the Rankings, looking to make a return trip to Nike Cross Nationals later this year.
Sophomore Paige Sheppard led the charge, winning the race with a time 18:11.3, winning the race by 49 seconds in a a stunning performane. Her time is the second-fastest ever by a New Jersey girl on the Bowdoin course, trailing only Charlotte Bednar's 18:00 from 2019.