Boys New Jersey Rankings Poll

Rank Team Last Result Comments
1
140 pts / 14 1st Place Votes / Any team that loses 3 of their top 5 to graduation might be singing the blues, not CBA though. Sean McCafferty's Colts return a veteran and always deep squad that, as always has aspirations of success beyond the borders of the Garden State / Season will open at Battle of OCP, but do not expect their top unit until Bowdoin Classic on 9/22.
2
131 pts / The Dawgs will once again make the case for Small School success as the defending Gr 2 Champs bring back an experienced group led by rising junior Martin Riddell, who looks to build on his breakout 2017 season. / Haddonfield will debut on 9/15 in NYC at the Regis Inv. @ Van Cortlandt Pk.
3
96 pts / Like a lot of the top teams, Kurt Wayton's Pirate teams usually reload instead of rebuild. With four seniors in a projected top 5, led by Sameer Das who is knocking on the Sub 16 door at Holmdel the Green & Gold could bring home some serious hardware in November. / The season opens for South on 9/8 in Marlton at the Cherokee Challenge.
4
84 pts / With a solid projected top 3, Morris Hills could put themselves up on the MOC podium this year. The Scarlet Knights will make some noise at Holmdel in late Nov., if they can close up the gap between 4 and 6. / The 2018 campaign will start on 9/8 at Horseshoe Lake Pk. for the Roxbury Inv.
5
78 pts / The defending Skyland Conf. champs onlthemselves right in the thick of things this y lost one of their MOC top 5 and bring back an experienced top 3. The Lions will need to narrow a +1 min 1-5 compression to be serious podium contenders. NH has a strong feeder program, so ya never know who the next frosh phenom might be. / First meet of 2018 will be the Petty Fun Run on 9/8 @ DelVak HS.
6
47 pts / A "At Large" Qualifier last year, the Patriots will be led by rising senior Joe Lundberg with a 16:23 Holmdel mark to his credit. Not a very deep squad, but if the middle of their pack can get in to the mid to high 16:xx range it could be a fun season in Freehold. / Season starts 9/8 @ Cherokee Challenge in Marlton
7
42 pts / Westfield is usually always somewhere in the mix and this year's edition of the Blue Devils is no different despite losing their top 2 runners to graduation. Coach Chris Tafelski's crew, who finished 3rd at MOC last year are poised to take anther big "run" at the brass ring in 2018. Their pack is tight with a 64 sec. compression (Holmdel) and will be led by rising senior James McCutcheon. / Westfield will get things underway on 9/8 in Marlton at the Cherokee Challenge.
8
39 pts / The Jersey City Jesuits project as the #2 squad among the Ecumenicals and should be led by last year;s top frosh, Edward Klanke. / The Marauders will kick off the '18 campaign at the Cherokee Challenge on 9/8.
9
35 pts / Despite being decimated by graduation, the Minutemen start this high stakes Poker Game with a strong pair of Jacks...Jennings & Stanley. Led by this duo, Mendham should start the scoring in most races with low numbers. How the rest of the lineup develop X Mendham HS 5th X NJSIAA XC Meet of Champions 5 s will tell the tale of Mendham's season. / First up in 2018 will be Horseshoe Lake Pk. for the Roxbury Inv. on 9/8.
10
30 pts / The Kingsway Dragons return only 2 runners from last year's MOC runners up and will face the tough challenge of the Group 4 "Meat Grinder" if they hope to reach the podium again in November. Rising senior & projected top runner. Kieran Burns comes back as the #15 returner at Holmdel. Kingsway is well coached and should be in the mix come Championship time. / 1st gun for the Dragons will be 9/15 at the SJ Shootout.
10
30 pts / Odd men out in the "At Large" sweepstakes last year, the Chiefs will be out for some payback this season. With a top 3 boasting sub 17 min @ Holmdel credentials, Cherokee looks to make a deep run into the post season. / The Chiefs start the year on 9/8 in the friendly confines of their own campus at the Cherokee Challenge.

Editor's Comments

Also Receiving Votes:

St.Benedicts (5) Ridgewood (4) Highland Reg (3) Ww-P No. (2)

Hopewell Valley, So. Brunswaick, Morristown, Camden Catholic (1)

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!

Enjoy and Be Kind!

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These subjective rankings were produced in a poll voting format utilizing 14 New Jersey cross country knowledgeable individuals. Major thanks to Pat Montferrat for putting together these rankings and write-ups. This feature is now in its 13th annual season.

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