Top-Tier New Jersey Teams CBA, Union Catholic Ahead Of The Pack In the Northeast

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Boys NXR Northeast Preview

New Jersey teams appear ready to dominate the Northeast regional rankings this fall, with traditional powerhouse Christian Brothers Academy and new powerhouse Union Catholic projected as the top groups in the area. 

But the depth in New Jersey doesn't stop with the two Non-Public schools. Westfield and Haddonfield Memorial return nearly everybody from good teams and could be contenders for at-large berths by the end of the season. 

Christian Brothers, second at the NXR Northeast regional last year, brings back 13 of its 14 fastest runners and comes into the season as the top-ranked team in the region. CBA's deep pack, led by senior Nicholas Sullivan, is the key to unlocking success this fall.  

The Colts may get beat up front, but it's going to be difficult for anyone to put five scorers ahead of CBA's. 

"My top group is the best I've had as a coach," CBA coach Sean McCafferty said. 

Union Catholic, which made a big splash in 2021 with a season that concluded with a fourth-place finish at the RunningLane Championships, will remain a national-caliber team despite the loss of Eastbay seventh-place finisher Shane Brosnan. 

UC junior Jimmy Wischusen could be every bit as good as Brosnan was this fall and there are enough returning pieces to power this team back to nationals, and possibly neck-and-neck with CBA by November. 

Another intriguing New Jersey team with a lot of potential is Westfield, which enjoyed a fantastic track season and brings back six sub-4:30 1,600-meter runners. 

Haddonfield Memorial returns one of the state's top runners in George Andrus and brings back six of its top 10 from last fall. 

The historic course at Holmdel Park will be the ultimate measuring stick for the New Jersey teams, but there are others in the region with reason to hope. La Salle College High of Pennsylvania brings back a handful of quality runners from at state runner-up team last year. Rhode Island's Bishop Hendricken brings back six of its 10 best runners and is a strong early pick for the New England title. 

1. Christian Brothers Academy NJ. The Colts have the luxury of depth and that intrasquad competition and accountability could take this storied program back to another national championship appearance. The team brings back 10 runners who ran under 4:35 for 1,600 meters in the spring and McCafferty said it has been a productive summer that has made everyone better. Along with Nicholas Sullivan, the lead pack includes junior Jack Falkowski, senior Lucas Ward, junior Conor Clifford and sophomore Joe Barrett. 

2. Union Catholic NJ. Jimmy Wischusen projects to be one of the best juniors in the country, and the top overall runner in New Jersey, after running 4:09/8:59 in the spring. Wischusen ran 14:34 for 16th at the RunningLane Championships last year and was the fastest sophomore in the race. Caudell Cajuste and Ryan Cichocki are also back from last year's team, along with Evan Weber and Joshua Hunsinger. Big improvement by Alex Saldana has him in the mix for a top-five spot and so is transfer Sean Wilson (1:57/4:24).

3. Westfield NJ. This team is loaded with young talent and brings back 11 of of its 13 best runners, including juniors Tage Mehta and Graham Korins, sophomore Ryan Daly, and seniors Daniel Cortese, Andrew Singer and Liam Maurillo. This combination should be fun to watch develop this fall and could turn into a nationally relevant group. 

4. Haddonfield Memorial NJ. George Andrus gives this team a low stick and is coming off a track season where he ran 4:10/9:09 in the 1,600 and 3,200. That's a good starting spot for a team that also returns three more guys from last year's top seven. Robert DiMedio, Ian Romea, Donnie Jellig and Liam Dougherty all give this team a solid foundation. 

5. La Salle College PA. Many of Pennsylvania's top teams suffered heavy losses to graduation, but La Salle brings back a strong trio in Andrew Brill, Cole Casadei and Ryan McGinley who were all in the top six for the team last year. 

WATCHLIST

Bishop Hendricken RI 

Coe-Brown Northwood Academy NH

Hall CT

North Allegheny PA

Cherokee NJ

Princeton NJ

St Johns Prep MA

Xavier CT

LaSalle Academy RI 

Ridge NJ