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.
Barrett is just the third boy to ever repeat as champ, joining course record holder Edward Cheserek of St. Benedict's Prep NJ (2011, 2012), and Noah Affolder of Carlise in Pa (2015, 2016)
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 NJ No. 2 Haddonfield Memorial HS, 25-176, to capture its 20th Eastern State title overall, with nine of those championships coming since 2009. No. 7 ranked St. Peter's Prep was seventh with 264.
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 |