Christian Brothers Academy is NJ.com Boys Cross-Country Team of the Year, 2019 – nj.com

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Over the years, the level of consistent winning by the Christian Brothers Academy boys cross-country team has made the program a dominant force, not only here in the Garden State, but on the national landscape as well.

This year was no different.

The Lincroft-based school won its third straight NJSIAA Meet of Champions title, ninth in the past 10 years and broke its own state record with its 24th overall title, winning the championship on the 40th anniversary of its first-ever M of C trophy in 1979. It defeated Mendham, 62-119, at Holmdel Park on Nov. 23 for the latest crown.

Senior Shaw Powell led the way, placing third with a Holmdel Park personal record of 15:41, ranked No. 5 all-time in school history at Holmdel. The Colts averaged 16:15 for the second straight week, a week after they captured its state-record 30th Non-Public A crown on Nov. 16. Juniors Ben Santos (15th, 16:13) and Chris DeSousa (17th, 16:14), sophomore Jack Moran (35th, 16:33) and senior Troy Hill (37th, 16:35) all finished in the top 40 in the M of C.

Our team has been great. We changed our training and werent sure what to expect, but the boys have thrived, said Christian Brothers head coach Sean McCafferty, who just completed his fourth year at the helm. Shaw (Powell) has been incredible at times, Troy (Hill) has been our stalwart, Ben (Santos) and Chris (DeSouza) have been incredible of late. Our youngsters, Jack (Moran) and Nicholas Sullivan are learning the ropes and becoming great runners. Tim Cahill did not break 5 as a freshman and has run 16:36 at Holmdel. Its an unreal mix of kids.

Last week, CBA qualified for Saturdays Nike National Championships in Portland, Ore., finishing second to La Salle Academy of Providence, R.I., at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. The runner-up finish qualified CBA for the Nike Nationals for the 10th straight year.

A historic season for an historic team.

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Christian Brothers Academy is NJ.com Boys Cross-Country Team of the Year, 2019 - nj.com