Cross-country: Final Top 25 rankings and course lists
Boys
The 2023 boys cross-country season featured one of the great teams in North Jersey history, as Ridgewood (third) had the highest finish by a North Jersey team in the State Meet of Champions since Don Bosco was second in 2015.
Three other teams had top five finishes at the State group meet and seven others were in the top at groups.
Five of the top 25 teams were not in the top 25 to start the season and Indian Hills, Demarest, Hackensack, Kinnelon, Leonia and West Milford all finished at least five spots higher than predicted in pre-season.
Here's a detailed look (in reverse order) at North Jersey's top 25 teams.
25. Passaic Tech
The Bulldogs had solid third place finishes in the Big North Liberty and Passaic County meets. Junior John Swaney will lead four of the top seven who will return next fall (Preseason: ranked).
24. New Milford
The Knights finished 11th in group 1, their highest finish at the state meet since an 11th place finish in 1992. Kevin Senzamici and Sebastian Herrera Pineda finished in the top quarter of the state meet individually and coach Greg Kelly will return all but Senzamici next year. New Milford was second in Bergen group D. (Not ranked).
23. Tenafly
After a second place in the Big North National and a strong sixth in Bergen A, the Tigers faltered and missed the state group meet for the second straight year. Michael Forde was the solid leader on the senior laden team that will be rebuilding next fall. (15)
22. Ramapo
It didn't look it was going too be much of a year for the Green Raiders when they got crushed in the Big North Freedom batch meet, but led by first year cross-country runner Ryan Welch, they got better in each race for the rest of the year. Just two seniors graduate and freshmen Zach Berstein and Jake Bernstein could lead to big improvement next year (Not ranked)
21. Pascack Hills
The Broncos had a roller coaster season with top performances in finishing second in the Big North Patriot division, making the Lou Molino Bergen Meet of Champions and a third place in the North 2 group 2 sectionals to make their first state meet appearance since 2018. Dylan Barrett leads five varsity returnees into next season. (14)
20. Bergen Catholic
The Crusaders were second to Don Bosco in both the Big North United and Bergen E meets but the big story is their freshman team which was the best frosh team in North Jersey. Five varsity runners also return. Look for BC to make big strides next season. (24)
19. Pascack Valley
The Panthers came within one point of making three straight state meets since 1974 after graduating most of their 2022 sectional championship team. Senior Patrick Kurtz was the first individual sectional champ in a decade. Valley finished third in the Big North National meet and soph Marcus Koshy, a state qualifier this year leads five varsity returnees next fall. (Not ranked)
18. Old Tappan
The Golden Knights returned to the state meet after a year's absence and had a consistent season, taking fourth in the Big North National, third in Bergen B and fifth in the state sectionals. Ben Johnson is one of the best sophs in North Jersey and is one of three varsity returnees for next year. (16)
17. Wayne Hills
The Patriots were fourth in Passaic and third in the Big North Independence race on a mostly senior team that returns only one underclassman, sophomore Wilson Stansfield. (6)
16. Fair Lawn
The Cutters showed flashes of excellence, especially in their runner-up finish in the Big North Independence and a fifth place finish in the strong Bergen A meet. State qualifier Aidan Soukas leads three varsity returnees for next year. (7)
15. Northern Highlands
The Highlanders missed out on a chance to make three straight state meets but had some bad breaks and wasn't able to get there. They were third in the tough Big North Freedom and fourth in Bergen A. Carter Monaco had a solid season and the Highlanders return four varsity runners next year. (Not ranked)
14. West Milford
The other Highlanders enjoyed a solid season with a close fourth in the Big North Independence and fifth in Passaic County before a huge race, taking fourth in the group 2 sectionals which sent them to the state meet for the first time since 2019. Colin Menier had an all-Passaic season and West Milford returns five varsity runners next year. (20)
13. Clifton
The Mustangs seemed on the way to a fourth straight trip to the state finals after taking strong seconds in the Big North Liberty and Passaic meets, but came up a bit short and missed by two spots. Junior Lamarr Olive won the Passaic title and reached the State Meet of Champions and the Mustangs return three other varsity runners. (9)
12. Leonia
The Lions came oh-so-close, losing the NJIC Colonial title by one point to Glen Rock, was second behind Demarest in Bergen B, qualified for the Bergen Meet of Champions, finishing ninth and returned to the state group 2 meet after a year's absence. With Ian Cortez leading the top five runners back next year, look for a leap into the top 10. (22)
11. Kinnelon
Seconds in the NJAC Small Schools and North 1, group 1 sectional races gave the Colts a chance to earn a fifth straight top 10 finish at the state level and the Colts delivered with a ninth place finish after winning the group with a veteran team the year before. Kyle Bjornson led Kinnelon all year as the only senior but the Colts should be contenders again next fall. (17)
10. Hasbrouck Heights
A ton of injuries to the middle of the Aviators' pack held them from a sectional title and a top five group 1 finish. But led by all-North Jersey junior Aidan Morrow, Heights won the Bergen D title, took runner-up finishes in the NJIC Meadowlands and North 2 group 1 meet and took eighths in BMOC and state group 1. The Aviators return all but their #3 runner next year. (3)
9. Park Ridge/Emerson
PRE had its best state meet finish since 2007's fourth place finish with a 1-2 punch of William O'Donovan and Patrick Tallman and a strong veteran supporting cast. The co-op won the NJIC Meadowlands, was third in Bergen C, reaching BMOC and survived the loss of a key runner at sectionals to finish fourth, setting up their state finals performance. PRE returns just one other varsity runner with O'Donovan. (11)
8. Bergen Tech
Former Ramsey star Mike Buser did a good job with the Knights, who won the Big North Liberty meet, took second in Bergen A and seventh in BMOC. The Knights also returned to the state meet in back-to-back years for the first time. Soph Eashaan Maggon leads five returnees next year. It could be a breakthrough season. (2)
7. Wayne Valley
The Indians lost a lot from last season but also returned Matt Califf and Milan Mistry and the senior duo led the team to the Big North Independence and Passaic County titles. The Indians were the only Bergen-Passaic team to qualify for State group 3 and did so for the third straight season. And with just three returning varsity starters next year will be a challenge. (5)
6. Hackensack
As usual the Comets started a little slowly but by the end of the season were solid and near the top. A second place finish in the Big North Freedom was followed by third in Bergen A, sixth at BMOC and a second at Group 4 North 1 sectionals which put them in the state group finals for the third straight year. Senior Dylan Guarquila and soph Michael McGinnity gave the Comets a good 1-2 all year and McGinnity is joined by excellent freshman Kevin Remache next fall. (12)
5. Glen Rock
The Panthers had a strong veteran group returning who lived up to all expectations and led Glen Rock to its strongest showing in the state group meet since 1966. The Panthers edged Leonia for the NJIC Colonial title, then took second in Bergen C, an all-time boys best finish of 5th at BMOC, then won their first sectional title in more than 20 years before finishing fourth in group 1. The senior triumvirate of Ben Raser, Ben Habler and Ryan Wolfe were consistently terrific. Only three varsity runners return but they all have sectional gold medals. (8)
4. Demarest
Demarest's biggest strength, it's tight and disciplined pack, also turned out to be its biggest weakness as the Norsemen couldn't close the gap on teams with better upfront runners as the race fields grew larger. Demarest won both the Big North National and Bergen B races with outstanding spreads of less than a minute, and took a solid fourth at BMOC but couldn't overcome Indian Hills at the state sectionals and finished ninth at states, despite a 53 second gap between its first and seventh finishers. Unfortunately their top runner was more than a minute and a half behind first place in that race. Four of the top seven return next year. (13).
3. Indian Hills
Ten straight trips to the state group meet and 21 visits in 22 years include a win, three seconds and six other top five finishes including fourth in group 2 this year. Clearly one of the state's best and most consistent programs, this year the Braves won the Big North Patriot, the Bergen C and the sectionals (North 1 group 2) for the 13th (including NBIL), 15th and 11th times during that span. Mainstays Dan Phillips and Nico Tucci graduate along with a third varsity senior but the Braves will return Bergen County's two top varsity freshmen, Frank Coppa and Lukas Kertesz, two other juniors in the top half of the state race and the area's second best freshman team (which doesn't include Coppa and Kertesz). The biggest loss might be in the head coach, alumnus Pete Tuohy, who has taken the job at Montclair State. His successor has not yet been named.
2. Don Bosco
The Ironmen have taken a step back on the state level after an amazing run of five Non-Public A championships and six runner-up finishes between 2006 and 2016, but locally they have been first or second in 26 of the last 32 BMOC meets, including 17 wins. The Big North United and Bergen E winners again, they were second at BMOC this year. Ryan Locicero continued the Bosco streak of at least one top 10 finisher in each state group meet since 1999 (except for 2004 and 2019) While the eighth place finish in Non-Public A was Bosco's third worst since 1990, there's great hope. The Ironmen return their next six finishers, most of them sophomores. (4)
1. Ridgewood
From the first to last day of the season, no one in North Jersey (and few in the state) were close to the Maroons, led by junior all-stater Luke Pash, who could hold all the course leads before he's through. Seniors Chris Brady and DJ Murphy never had a bad race and junior Trevor Kane worked through some health issues to join that trio on all-North Jersey. Juniors Tom Mevissen, Jett Lincon and Benji Papageorge helped Ridgewood win the Big North Freedom, Bergen A, BMOC and state sectionals by record or near record margins including only the fourth sectional sweep (1-5) in state history. Ridgewood was second in group 4 and third in the SMOC. Juniors Ryan Holmes and Jack McKenna had some varsity time this year and help the returnees try to do it again next fall. (1)
Others in the preseason top 25: Teaneck (10), Lakeland (18), Garfield (21), Passaic Valley (23), Ramsey (25).
2023 North Jersey Course Lists
Darlington County Park
Luke Pash, Ridgewood, 15:27*; 2. Joshua Tejada, Teaneck, 15:56; 3. Ryan Locicero, Don Bosco, 16:01; 4. Aidan Morrow, Hasbrouck Heights, 16:10*; 5. DJ Murphy, Ridgewood, 16:14; 6. Lamarr Olive, Clifton, 16:25*; 7. Matthew Califf, Wayne Valley and Trevor Kane, Ridgewood*, 16:27; 9. Chris Brady, Ridgewood, 16:28; 10. Dan Phillips, Indian Hills and Tom Mevissen, Ridgewood*, 16:29.
Greystone Park
Morrow, 15:57*; 2. Kyle Bjornson, Kinnelon, 17:06; 3. Will Portman, Kinnelon, 17:08*; 4. Emmanuel Marin, Bogota, 17:14**; 5. Colin Menier, West Milford, 17:15; 6. Max Thorn, Becton, 17:26*; 7. Aidan Nogueira, Lyndhurst, 17:31**; 8. Ian Cortez, Leonia, 17:32*; 9. Ayaan Modak, Hasbrouck Heights, 17:35; 10. Jayden Hur, Kinnelon* and Brendan O'Rourke, Bergen Catholic, 17:36.
Garret Mountain
Pash, 16:21*; 2. Olive, 16:32*; 3. Murphy, 16:38; 4. Morrow, 16::40*; 5. Tejada, 16:44; 6. Califf, 16:48; 7. Brady, 16:49; 8. Patrick Kurtz, Pascack Valley, 16:53; 9. Phillips, 16:54; 10. Kane* and Jett Lincoln, Ridgewood*, 16:55.
Holmdel
Pash, 15:41*; 2. Brady, 16:20; 3. Tejada, 16:23; 4. Locicero, 16:24; 5. Murphy, 16:25; 6. Kane, 16:31*; 7. Morrow, 16:45*; 8. Olive, 16:49*; 9. Califf, 16:53; 10. Ben Pappageorge, Ridgewood, 16:56*.
'* -- junior
'** -- sophomore
Girls
The 2023 girls cross-country season saw Ridgewood continue its amazing streak of five straight group 4 runner-up finishes, the first time in state history a team has taken second five times in a row. Ridgewood went on to join the boys on the State Meet of Champions, in fourth place, the first time since 1992 that two North Jersey teams from the same school did it in the same year.
Three other teams had top five finishes at the State group meet and five others were in the top 10 at groups.
Five of the top 25 teams were not in the top 25 to start the season and Hasbrouck Heights, Demarest, West Milford and Tenafly all finished at least five spots higher than predicted in pre-season.
Here's a detailed look (in reverse order) at North Jersey's top 25 teams.
25. Park Ridge/Emerson
When PRE fielded a full team, they were dangerous, taking second in the NJIC Meadowlands and fourth in the North 1, group 1 sectionals to make the state meet. Sophie Walder leads the top four who will return next year. All the co-op needs is more runners to come out. (Not ranked).
24. Weehawken
The Indians have one of the strongest trios in state group 1 and the North Jersey area in underclassmen Astrid Taffarello, Tarikwa Dunn and Kali McDonald and if they can develop the back pack, they can improve on their fifth place finish in Hudson County, third in the NJIC Patriot and ninth in State Group 1 of 2023. All of this year's varsity will return. (12).
23. Holy Angels
It was a tough year for the usually top 10 Angels team, who was second in the Big North United and Bergen E championships and were well back in Non-Public A. With five of the top six returning next year, look for a huge improvement. (Not ranked)
22. Ridgefield Park
The Scarlets surprised by winning the Big North American and then was fourth in the Bergen B race. Brianna Harrison leads a team with six of the top seven expected back next season along with an expected jump in the rankings. (Not ranked)
21. Passaic Valley
The Hornets had a solid season even after graduating the best Hornet distance runner in a decade. They were fourth in Big North Independence, sixth in Passaic and a competitive ninth in North 2, group 2. Alayna Antonucci leafds five returnees next year in what is expected to be another food year. (Not ranked).
20. Leonia
Sasha Raskin had an excellent senior season and qualified for the state group meet. The other five runners who helped take the Lions take third in the NJIC Colonial race and seventh at the North 2, group 2 state sectionals will return. (23)
19. Rutherford
The Bulldogs pulled off a big upset by winning the NJIC Colonial league meet, took third in the Bergen C meet and finished one spot ahead of Leonia at sectionals. Jodi DeSalvo made the state group meet, capping her excellent career and Rutherford returns six of its top seven. (9)
18. Bergen Tech
The Knights were second to perennial champ Clifton at the Big North Liberty meet, sixth in Bergen A and eighth at the North 1 group 4 sectional. They return their top three finishers from sectionals next fall. (14)
17. Wayne Hills
Injuries hurt the Patriots' chances for a better season, although Wayne Hills was third in the Big North Independence, and fourth at Passaic. American University-bound Kara Langbaum made the state group 3 meet and was the Passaic County runner-up. (18)
16. Teaneck
The Highwaywomen, sparked by first year senior cross-country runner Elena Guzman, had some great early season races and finished fourth in the Big North National and fifth in the Bergen A race qualifying for the Bergen Meet of Champions for the first time since 2002. They return just three next season. (Not ranked)
15. River Dell
The Golden Hawks were second in the Big North Patriot, third in Bergen B and sixth in the North 1, group 2 sectionals, just missing a bid to groups. Christina Allen completed her stellar cross-country career by winning the Bergen and sectional titles and earning a medal at the State Meet of Champions. Classmate Isabella Gabay qualified for both the BMOC and state group meets but the next five runners were all underclassmen. (19)
14. Tenafly
The Tigers qualified for the Bergen Meet of Champions for the first time since 2014 and finished higher at the State group meet than they had since 2007 en route to a competitive season. They were third in the Big north National, fourth in Bergen A and fifth in the group 3 state sectionals. Four of their top five were freshmen or sophomores so expect more of the same next season. (21)
13. Ramapo
If the Green Raiders didn't have bad luck, they wouldn't have had any luck at all. They lost senior Anna Wezner to injury before the season started and 2022 sectional champ Amelia Keogh was on the way to a spectacular season when she fell ill right before sectionals. Before Keogh's illness the Green Raiders had been third in the powerful Big North Freedom and third in Bergen A and finished fifth at BMOC. Brianna Potaki had a terrific year, making all North Jersey and all six finishers at sectionals will be back next year. (3)
12. Bogota
The graduation of sectional champ Amandine Fernandez didn't slow down the Bucs, who won the NJIC Patriot, and was second in Bergen D and the North 2, group 1 sectional, before taking sixth in state group 1 for the second straight year. Isabel Michel stepped up to become Bogota's second straight sectional champ. The rest of Bogota's top six are all sophs and freshmen so coach Pat Rochford's team should keep improving. (13)
11. Glen Rock
Back to back fifth place finishes at the state group 1 and a second sectional title in three years highlighted a terrific year for the Panthers. They lost a tight NJIC Colonial meet in an upset but qualified for the Bergen Meet of Champs for the third straight year for the first time since 1996-1998 with a second place finish in Bergen C. Sophs Jenna Yim and Amber Wang stepped up to join seniors Lily McNair and Abigail Manley at the front of the Panther pack. Glen Rock will return just three varsity runners next year. (15)
10. IHA
The Blue Eagles continued to dominate the Big North United and Bergen E races and took seventh in their 31st straight trip to BMOC but had their lowest finish at the state Non-Public A meet since 1991 in a transitional year after Leanna Johnston graduated to Columbia University. IHA should be better next year with five of their top six returning. (6)
9. Clifton
The Mustangs won the Big North Liberty title and took third at the Passaic County meet, and qualified for their ninth straight state group 4 meet. With four of its top six runners graduating, making it to ten straight next season might be a challenge. (7)
8. Lakeland
Despite losing an amazing amount of talent in the last three years to graduation including state champion Angelina Perez, state group champion Morgan Uhlhorn, now an All-American at NYU and Abby Horevay, part of a conference championship team at Lipscomb University, the Lancers stayed elite with second place finishes in the Big North Independence and Passaic meets and third in the sectionals and a fourth straight trip to state groups. Kayla Barnhardt became the first Lancer to run in four state meets. Four others return to run next year. (8)
7. West Milford
The Highlanders added sophomore Ciara Clinton from the soccer team after a great winter and spring track season and the result was a personal triumph in the Passaic County championships and team titles in both the Big North Independence and Passaic meets. The Highlanders went on to qualify to the state meet for the first time since 2007. Sophs Amanda Harvey and Brenna Traverso, along with Clinton return next year and if the Highlanders can develop some depth they should get back next year, (17)
6. Demarest
The Norsewomen finished sixth at BMOC, its best finish since 2002, and made the state meet for the eighth year in a row and added second place finishes in both the Big North National and Bergen B meets. Demarest finished as a competitive 11th place team at the state group 2 champions and return six of its top seven, graduating only leader Melissa Cen. (20)
5. Old Tappan
The Golden Knights had a great pack team, but was unable to move its pack closer to the front, making its third place finish at the BMOC with a 38-second pack from 1 to 5 its best race of the year, after wins in the Big North and Bergen B meets. They also finished second in the sectional and was ninth in state group 2. Five underclassmen including a pair of very good freshmen, return, and Old Tappan should continue to be one of the top teams in North Jersey. (4)
4. Indian Hills
The Braves weren't very numerous -- just six varsity runners. But every one of them ran well as they won the Big North Patriot and Bergen C titles. They slumped to eighth place at BMOC but made it for the 25th time in 27 seasons and eighth straight. But the team of seniors Alyssa Maybeck, Avarie Bergen, juniors Summer Myhren, Camryn Finn and Madeline Coppa and freshman Riley Horgan snapped back to win the group 2 sectionals and finished sixth in the state group meet. (5)
3. Hasbrouck Heights
The Aviators made the state group meet 10 previous times, never finishing higher than eighth. This year's team, coached by Mike Ryan, finished fourth, after winning the NJIC Meadowlands, Bergen D and the North 2, group 1 title for the second time in three years. In 10 previous trips to BMOC, the Aviators were no higher than 10th. This year they were third, the highest finish by a Group 1 team since Palisades Park was second in 1989. And with the top four runners and six of the top seven returning next year led by State Meet of Champions qualifiers Lexi Powers and Mackenzie Bua, next year could be even better. (10)
2. Northern Highlands
The Highlanders were a top 10 team in New Jersey for most of the season and finished in the top 15, but could never beat Ridgewood, despite five attempts. The Highlanders were second to the Maroons at the Big North Freedom, Bergen A, BMOC and two other major meets but had a great quintet of runners in seniors Allie Courtney, Rebecca Maclaren and Autumn Ritter, junior Farrah Dello Russo and soph Sadie Meloro. Freshman Sophie Smith and senior Abigail Gamarello added depth and the Highlanders won the sectionals for the seventh time in eight seasons. They were fourth in group 3 in their 18th straight appearance at states and just missed a second straight SMOC appearance. (1)
1. Ridgewood
A Big North Freedom title (a 37th league title in 43 years), a Bergen A title (for the 35th time in 43 meets), a 33rd BMOC title (no other team has won more than four), a 29th sectional title and a 21st appearance in the State Meet of Champions (their fourth place finish was their 16th appearance on the top six podium). Ridgewood was the best team in North Jersey from its first meet to its last and the group that included seniors Cellina Rabolli, Avery Sheridan and Sofia Laniszera, juniors Ayla Cooke, Eilat Kissil and Lola Jacqueline, sophomore Kaitlyn Sharma and freshman Katherine Keating took second in group 4 for a record-setting fifth straight time. The Maroons also won the unofficial freshman and junior varsity state titles held at Thompson Park (2)
Others in the preseason top 25: Paramus (11), Kinnelon (16), Wayne Valley (22), Passaic (24), North Bergen (25).
2023 North Jersey Course Lists
Darlington County Park
Christina Allen, River Dell, 18:32; 2. Cellina Rabolli, Ridgewood, 18:56; 3. Eilat Kissil, Ridgewood, 18:59*; 4. Katherine Keating, Ridgewood, 19:07***; 5. Sadie Meloro, Northern Highlands, 19:13**; 6. Allie Courtney, Northern Highlands, 19:14; 7. Amelia Keogh, Ramapo, 19:16; 8. Autumn Ritter, Northern Highlands, 19:18; 9. Brianna Potaki, Ramapo, 19:21*; 10. Avery Sheridan, Ridgewood, 19:29.
Greystone Park
Isabel Michel, Bogota, 19:47; 2. Ciara Clinton, West Milford, 19:51**; 3. Amanda Harvey, West Milford** and Lexi Powers, Hasbrouck Heights*, 20:00; 5. Mackenzie Bua, Hasbrouck Heights, 20:07*; 6. Mika Tampadong, Becton, 20:22*; 7. Grace Mougalian, Kinnelon, 20:23; 8. Astrid Taffarello, Weehawken, 20:41*; 9. Marcelle Seckin, IHA, 20:48*; 10. Brenna Traverso, West Milford, 20:52**.
Garret Mountain
Allen, 19:10; 2. Rabolli, 19:45; 3. Keogh, 19:54; 4. Potaki* and Ayla Cooke, Ridgewood*, 20:14; 6. Clinton, 20:23**; 7. Ritter, 20:26; 7. Courtney, 20:27; 8. Keating, 20:29***; 9. Sheridan, 20:41; 10. Kara Langbaum, Wayne Hills, 20:44.
Holmdel
Allen, 19:11; 2. Rabolli, 19:28; 3. Kissil* and Keating***, 19:51; 5. Potaki, 19:55*; 6. Keogh, 20:12; 7. Tampadong, 20:16*; 8. Courtney, 20:17; 9. Taffarello, 20:18; 10. Powers, 20:28*.
'* -- junior
'** -- sophomore
'***-- freshman
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ cross-country: Final Top 25 rankings and course lists
