Two weeks ago, Boston College High had its most significant victory of the season when it captured the Championship race of the Ocean State Invitational.
It should be a lot more intense this weekend for the Eagles, who will be looking to make a statement in the Big Apple.
The state top-ranked squad will be traveling to the New York City where it will test its mettle against some of the region and nation’s best at the annual Manhattan College Invitational. This Sunday’s meet, held at historic Van Cortlandt Park, features the No. 2 team in the country with Christian Brothers Academy (NJ) among the entries. CBA, which celebrated its 400th straight dual meet victory this fall, opened a lot of eyes with its dominating win at the Bowdoin Park X-C Classic in Wappinger Falls, N.Y.. where the Colts went 1-3-4-5-7 and scored just 20 points. CBA averaged 16-minutes flat by its varsity crew on the demanding 5K layout.
Based on the Speed Ratings, the Eagles rank No. 3 this weekend in the featured Eastern State Championships (2:44 p.m.). Behind CBA at No. 2 is Haddonfield Memorial (NJ), a runner-up to the Colts at Bowdoin. Christian Brothers, the defending champion, does appear untouchable at Manhattan. But BC High could make a statement with a strong finish in New York against the likes of other sure-to-be top contenders such as Haddonfield, Tatnall (DE), Ridgewood (NJ) and La Salle College (PA). Haddonfield currently ranks No. 4 in the northeast region with CBA holding the top spot. La Salle College was second at Manhattan in 2023, a meet the Eagles were fifth.
How about individually for our local stars? At last year’s meet, the Eagles’ Chris Larnard cracked the top 10 by taking sixth overall with a time of 12:33.50 for the 2.5-mile race. Tam Gavenas of Phillips Academy in Andover was seventh at 12:33.80. Larnard has since graduated, but Gavenas is coming back and is among the favorites along with top seed and returning champion Joe Barrett of CBA. Barrett ran a fast 12:13.60 at last year’s race and averaged sub-5 at Bowdoin last month with a 5K time of 15:25, No. 3 on the all-time list. Look for Gavenas to challenge Barrett for the coveted crown. The talented senior, who was third at Foot Locker back in December, had two impressive victories in NH last month, winning the Black Bear Invitational and Manchester Invitational. At Manchester, Gavenas was timed in 15:24.8 on one of the most difficult 5Ks in the region.
BC High teammates Shamus Larnard and Greg McGrath have potential for a top 15 finish against the elite competition. Larnard was a victor at Ocean State where he was timed in a PR of 15:48. McGrath was fourth in a best of 15:57.80.
