Nike Cross Regionals - Northeast
Boys Teams
Talk about a close battle, for a region that will be hard pressed to find an At-Large, considering how strong other regions that have occurred have been.
Despite their own struggles throughout the season, CBA Lincroft (NJ) looks to be the favorites heading into Saturday's action. Even with Blaise Ferro's downswing at the NJ Meet of Champions, they still look like a heavy favorite to make the trip out to Portland. With Ferro returning to form, the gap may be even bigger.
The race behind them will depend on which Don Bosco (NJ) team shows up to Bowdoin Park, If it was the team that tied CBA at NJ Groups, then they look to have the solid advantage in the search for the second spot. However, if they have a repeat performance of MOC, then they may not make the top 3. We'd like to believe that the competition will bring out the best of Bosco, and have included their Group marks in the projections.
This puts La Salle Academy (RI) in a precarious position. Many people's pre-season picks for US #1, La Salle has had a respectable season. They took home the win at Great American, amongst many other regional victories. However, with the early season injury to Jack Salisbury, his return has been pivotal to their success. As they move forward, the will need a strong showing up front in a crowded field. Should Don Bosco falter, La Salle will be the team most likely to take advantage.
In reality, a ten point swing in either direction means very little in our projections. To make a long story short, this is anyone's race.
Behind the front trio looks to be a strong contingency of challengers. North Allegheny (PA) made short work of their State Meet, while both South Brunswick (NJ) and Cherry Hill East (NJ) looked strong at MOC.
Boys NXN-NE Projections ===================================================================================== Team Pts 1 2 3 4 5 (6) (7) ===================================================================================== 1 Christian Brothers 143 6 28 33 36 40 61 116 Total Time: 2:23 Average: 28.60 1-5 Split: 34 2 Don Bosco 152 13 16 18 49 56 74 126 Total Time: 2:32 Average: 30.40 1-5 Split: 43 3 La Salle 166 7 17 21 51 70 72 73 Total Time: 2:46 Average: 33.20 1-5 Split: 1:03 4 South Brunswick 203 11 14 30 67 81 87 119 Total Time: 3:23 Average: 40.60 1-5 Split: 1:10 5 Cherry Hill East 221 8 26 41 54 92 118 159 Total Time: 3:41 Average: 44.20 1-5 Split: 1:24 6 North Allegheny 267 9 12 50 88 108 129 144 Total Time: 4:27 Average: 53.40 1-5 Split: 1:39 7 BishopHendricken 322 15 24 86 98 99 177 181 Total Time: 5:22 Average: 1:04.40 1-5 Split: 1:24 8 Danbury 328 34 58 59 83 94 138 163 Total Time: 5:28 Average: 1:05.60 1-5 Split: 1:00 9 W Win-Pl South 329 1 10 66 110 142 179 184 Total Time: 5:29 Average: 1:05.80 1-5 Split: 2:21 10 Kingsway 331 23 52 63 68 125 137 169 Total Time: 5:31 Average: 1:06.20 1-5 Split: 1:42
Boys Individuals
With only five slots on the line, the competition is thick. It will take around a 190 speed rating to get the job down, similar to the situation at Foot Locker Northeast.
It looks like the battle up top will be a New Jersey Meet of Champions rematch. This past weekend, Nikhil Pulimood (WWPS) had a ten second edge over both Craig Corti (Walkill) and Leland Jones (Summit), however it will be a new day. All three have the credentials to take the lead early, and the common rivals will have a score to settle.
Behind them is a Pennsylvania State Meet rematch as well. There was only a 2-second gap between Kevin James (O'Hara) and Andrew Marston (Conestoga), and that could swing either way for the top athletes from the west.
Rounding out the top flight athletes are a pair of harriers hoping for low team points. Blaise Ferro (CBA) had an off day at MOC, yet has the ability to win the race overall. David Principe (La Salle) has a history of leading the race as well, and will be trying to give team the boost it needs.
| Top Contenders | Top Challengers |
| 1. Craig Corti - Walkill, NJ | 6. Leland Jones - Summit, NJ |
| 2. Nikhil Pulimood - W. Windsor Plain S., NJ | 7. David Principe - La Salle, RI |
| 3. Kevin James - Cardinal O'Hara, PA | 8. Aaron Groff - Cherry Hill East, NJ |
| 4. Blaise Ferro - CBA Lincroft, NJ | 9. Matt McGoey - North Allegheny, PA |
| 5. Andrew Marston - Conestoga, PA | 10. Tim Bason - W Windsor Plain S., NJ |