Joe Barrett led another stunning race by U.S. No. 2 ranked Christian Brothers Academy, who threw down the second-best performance in the long history of legendary Van Cortlandt Park on the way to a third straight victory in the Eastern States Championship at Sunday's Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational Presented by HOKA.
Barrett, a senior headed to the University of North Carolina, took control of the race immediately en route to his second straight title, crossing the line in 12:20.7 to ignite the charge for CBA's high-octane machine.
CBA blitzed the field with a mind-boggling 1-4-5-7-8 finish for 25 points, a 1-5 compression of just 28.4 seconds, and dropped a 12:41.0 five-man average, the second fastest ever on Vanny's historic 2.5-mile layout, which has been used for championship meets since 1957!
CBA outscored runner-up Haddonfield Memorial HS, 25-176, to capture its 20th Eastern State title overall, with nine of those championships coming since 2009.
CBA's top six were all under 13 minutes!
The 12:41.0 average by CBA is the second fastest average in Vanny's course history behind the 12:32.76 run by Fayetteville-Manlius of NY in 2014. Fayetteville-Manlius went on to win the Nike National title later that season.
In this race last year, Barrett won in 12:13.6, tied for No. 13 in course history when CBA averaged 12:44.2, now the third fastest time at Vanny. CBA also owns the fourth and fifth fastest averages in Vanny course history, 12:44.4 in 2013 and 12:44.6 in 2012!
Their five scorers were Barrett, first in 12:20.7, junior Luke Hnatt, fourth in 12:43.2, senior Ryan Schmitt, fifth in 12:44.5, sophomore Gavin Schmitt, seventh in 12:47.5, and senior Alex Mastroly, eighth in 12:49.1. Junior Ryan Collins was CBA's No. 6 man, placing 15th in 12:58.8.
Related
Top 10 Teams Eastern States Championship Race
| Place | Team | Points | Scorers | Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Christian Brothers Academy | 25 | 1+4+5+7+8 (14+33) | 0:28 1-5 Split | 12:41 Avg |
| 2 |  Haddonfield Memorial HS | 176 | 20+29+30+42+55 (88) | 0:28 1-5 Split | 13:22 Avg |
| 3 |  Boston College High School | 176 | 6+11+17+36+106 (129+142) | 1:31 1-5 Split | 13:16 Avg |
| 4 |  Hart (William S.) (SS) | 213 | 19+37+38+57+62 (95+145) | 0:36 1-5 Split | 13:29 Avg |
| 5 |  La Salle College HS | 214 | 13+31+49+53+68 (74+101) | 0:50 1-5 Split | 13:27 Avg |
| 6 |  Tatnall | 248 | 16+40+46+65+81 (159+169) | 0:53 1-5 Split | 13:32 Avg |
| 7 |  St. Peter's Prep | 264 | 10+35+43+77+99 (143+155) | 1:19 1-5 Split | 13:34 Avg |
| 8 |  Council Rock South | 289 | 25+44+58+66+96 (120+136) | 0:56 1-5 Split | 13:39 Avg |
| 9 |  Bishop Hendricken High School | 296 | 24+50+59+71+92 (109+135) | 0:55 1-5 Split | 13:40 Avg |
| 10 |  Auburn | 300 | 23+26+28+93+130 (161+174) | 1:22 1-5 Split | 13:39 Avg |
Top 10 Individuals Eastern States Championship Race
| Place | Athlete | Team | Mark | Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Barrett | 12 | Christian Brothers Academy | 12:20.70 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Alex Fisher | 11 | Loomis Chaffee | 12:27.70 | 2 | |
| 3 |  Van Furman | 12 | Tri-Valley | 12:40.50 | 3 | |
| 4 | Luke Hnatt | 11 | Christian Brothers Academy | 12:43.20 | 4 | |
| 5 | Ryan Schmitt | 12 | Christian Brothers Academy | 12:44.50 | 5 | |
| 6 | Greg McGrath | 11 | Boston College High School | 12:44.50 | 6 | |
| 7 | Gavin Schmitt | 10 | Christian Brothers Academy | 12:47.50 | 7 | |
| 8 | Alex Mastroly | 12 | Christian Brothers Academy | 12:49.10 | 8 | |
| 9 |  Parker Adams | 12 | Bolles HS | 12:49.70 | 9 | |
| 10 | Tommy O'Brien | 12 | St. Peter's Prep | 12:52.30 | 10 |