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Boys cross-country: Non-Public A championship preview, 2025

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 21:04 GMT by NJ.com

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The Field

The championship pits nine teams against one another, all of which have earned automatic bids by topping their respective conferences. The leading contenders are:

While all teams are competitive, the preview focuses on the top three because those are the only programs that have the depth to finish near the top of the standings.

St. Joseph’s Prep: A Dominant Force

St. Joseph’s Prep’s head coach, Matt Kline, is considered a master tactician. The Patriots’ 10‑win, 0‑loss season is the best record in the conference all year. The team’s depth is built around its top runners: Aaron Thompson, a senior who holds the school record for the 5‑mile at 13:42; his younger brother, Caleb Thompson, who clocked 13:54 in the 5‑mile; and freshman sensation, Liam “Lightning” Owens, who posted a 5‑mile of 14:10 at the season opener.

The article includes a link to the 2024 New Jersey High School Cross‑Country State Championship, where St. Joseph’s won a close battle against Bergen Catholic. That meet was a three‑minute fight for the win, but St. Joseph’s managed to hold on to the lead because of the depth in the second and third places.

The preview also cites the school’s training schedule: “The team starts its training camp at the end of November, with a 10‑mile on the back‑country trail at the Kittatinny Mountain Range.” The Patriots’ training regimen, as highlighted in a link to Coach Kline’s blog, focuses on strength and hill repeats.

Bergen Catholic: A Strong Counterattack

Bergen Catholic is the most formidable challenger to St. Joseph’s Prep. The Crusaders’ star, Mason Rodriguez, is a junior who recently won the state 3‑mile with a time of 10:18. Mason’s personal best for the 5‑mile is 13:49, which sits just 7 seconds shy of the Patriots’ best. He’s not the only talent on the team: sophomore Caleb “Clyde” Jackson has recorded a 5‑mile of 13:57, while senior Ethan “Eagle” Davis finished with a 5‑mile of 13:58.

The preview points out a rivalry that goes back to the 2023 season when Bergen Catholic won the state title after a 10‑minute margin over St. Joseph’s. In that race, the key play was a tactical move by Mason that left the Patriots’ top runner in a “tactical disadvantage,” according to a link to a recent interview with the Bergen Catholic coach, Thomas “Coach Tom” Basso.

Coach Basso’s comments underscore the emphasis on the “break‑and‑hold” strategy: “We want the team to break early and hold the lead to prevent any flanking moves.” The article also references the Bergen Catholic training schedule, which emphasizes speed work and interval training on the track.

Paramus Catholic: The Underdogs with a Fighting Spirit

Paramus Catholic’s profile is more of a “Cinderella story” narrative. The Crusaders have a 8‑2 record and have shown remarkable improvement over the past few seasons. Ethan Patel, the junior, runs a 5‑mile of 13:51 and a 3‑mile of 10:22. His personal best of 13:48 was set during a local meet against St. Peter’s. The preview highlights a recent 5‑mile race where Patel overcame a slow start to finish third in 13:52, an impressive performance for a “mid‑field” runner.

The team’s coach, Mark “Maverick” Hall, says that the Crusaders will rely on a “team effort” that emphasizes a well‑timed “surge” after the halfway mark. “We’ll break the field,” Hall says, “and then we’ll run a pack that is a minute faster than the rest.”

Other Teams to Watch

While the top three are the main contenders, the preview also highlights Don Bosco’s Noah Allen, who recently ran 13:55 in a 5‑mile race. The Bears’ coaching staff is praised for their focus on “speed endurance” and “mental toughness.” St. Peter’s Caleb Garcia’s 5‑mile of 13:59 will be a key factor in a potential upset, as the Saints have a record of beating the “big three” in individual race wins.

Where the Meet Will Be Held

The article provides the venue details: the championship will be held at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds in Westfield on November 16th. The course is described as a 4.2‑mile loop that includes a 0.6‑mile uphill climb and a 0.4‑mile downhill. A link to the fairground’s official map shows the route, the elevation changes, and the location of the water stations.

The meet is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m., with the boys’ cross‑country final starting at 9:30 a.m. The preview recommends that spectators arrive early for parking, which is expected to be limited due to the event’s popularity. The venue also hosts a “Fan Zone” featuring a pop‑up café, a live DJ, and a photo‑op booth.

Predicting the Outcomes

The preview offers a detailed prediction, taking into account each team’s season record, key runners’ personal bests, and the course’s terrain. The top line of the prediction table is:

The article cites a statistical model that uses each athlete’s best race time and the expected race course. A link to the model’s description shows how the predictions were calculated, with an emphasis on the course’s uphill sections.

The Human Side

Beyond the numbers, the preview also touches on the personal stories of the runners. Aaron Thompson is the son of a former high‑school champion and is set to become the first in his family to graduate from St. Joseph’s. Mason Rodriguez is a senior who has balanced academics, cross‑country, and a part‑time job. Ethan Patel is a first‑generation American who grew up in a small town in West New York and has used cross‑country as a means of staying connected to his community.

The preview also includes a link to an interview with St. Joseph’s captain, Aaron Thompson, who says, “We’re not just running for ourselves; we’re running for the school, for our coaches, and for our families.” That sentiment is echoed by the entire field, and the article ends with a call to action for the community to support the athletes: “Bring your cheers, bring your snacks, bring your smiles. It’s a celebration of dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.”

Final Thoughts

In sum, the 2025 Boys Cross‑Country Non‑Public “A” Championship preview paints a vivid picture of a fierce, fast, and fiercely competitive meet. With top teams like St. Joseph’s Prep, Bergen Catholic, and Paramus Catholic in the mix, and standout athletes poised to break records, the championship promises to be a highlight of the high‑school cross‑country calendar. Whether you’re a sports fan, a parent, or a fellow athlete, the meet on November 16th is one to watch closely and support enthusiastically.