The Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey could win their 21st New Jersey Meet of Champions title this fall, but what they are really looking for is another NXN crown. The Colts followed up a win in 2011 with fourth place in 2012 and runner-up honors in 2013. They began 2014 with a Pre-Season No. 1 ranking before slipping to 11th at nationals.
Will this year be different? And, if so - why?
For starters, veteran team leader Blaise Ferro is a senior. The two-time NXN competitor (ninth in 2014) has raced as part of the 2013 runner-up team and last year's 11th place squad. Be sure he is ready to go out on his own terms and as the No. 5 returner from 2014, he is likely gunning for the individual title. The 9:03 3200m runner has a solid pack behind him, as the Colts are the No. 1 ranked returning team via 5k PRs by a landslide with a top five average of 15:29 and a 47-second top five spread. Their top seven returners all have personal bests under 16 minutes for 5k and 9:40 or faster for 3200m.
Look out for Drake Anzano, who actually clocked the team's best 1600m time (4:11) this spring. The rising junior is the No. 7 returner by 5k PR, but expect him to contend for a higher spot on the depth chart.
| Top Returners from 2014 XC Season: | ||||
| 1) Blaise Ferro | 15:05.00 | 3 | ||
| 2) Nick Trigani | 15:26.00 | 26 | ||
| 3) Jon Dooling | 15:26.00 | 27 | ||
| 4) Sean Martinek | 15:37.00 | 53 | ||
| 5) Brian Dengler | 15:52.00 | 122 | ||
| Average Time: 15:29.20 Total Time: 1:17:26.00 1-5 Split: 47.00 | ||||
| 6) Paul Knepple | 15:52.79 | 128 | ||
| 7) Drake Anzano | 15:53.96 | 133 | ||
Top Returning 3200m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season:
| 1) Blaise Ferro | 9:03.32 | 9 | ||
| 2) Drake Anzano | 9:12.17 | 20 | ||
| 3) Paul Knepple | 9:28.24 | 69 | ||
| 4) Matthew Roma | 9:28.72 | 72 | ||
| 5) Noah Yuro | 9:30.16 | 75 | ||
| Average Time: 9:20.52 Total Time: 46:42.61 1-5 Split: 26.84 | ||||
| 6) Brian Dengler | 9:30.72 | 78 | ||
| 7) Jon Dooling | 9:40.53 | 122 | ||
| Top Returning 1600m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season: | ||||
| 1) Drake Anzano | 4:11.36 | 7 | ||
| 2) Blaise Ferro | 4:17.51 | 30 | ||
| 3) Paul Knepple | 4:25.16 | 99 | ||
| 4) Jon Dooling | 4:27.44 | 120 | ||
| 5) Colin Trigani | 4:29.84 | 169 | ||
| Average Time: 4:22.26 Total Time: 21:51.31 1-5 Split: 18.48 | ||||
| 6) Noah Yuro | 4:31.00 | 192 | ||
| 7) Brian Dengler | 4:33.26 | 243 | ||