This past weekend, the Salesianum cross-country team traveled to New York City’s Van Cortland Park to compete in the Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational presented by HOKA. The 2.5-mile course is one of the most challenging in the country, featuring massive hills, steps, and thigh trails that test every runner’s endurance and strategy. With over 1,200 athletes racing in heats of around 200, the start line is nothing short of a mosh pit.
This year’s conditions were in a stark contrast to last year’s. With 73º weather and sunshine, the team enjoyed a very exciting and energetic atmosphere, compared to the previous year’s 40º torrential downpour. The stakes were high, and the team was eager to see how they would measure up to other schools.
Junior Varsity Boys: Dominating Performance
Salesianum’s first race was our JV Boys, and they did not disappoint. As soon as the gun went off, the team took control of the race. Sallies Sam Fielding ’26, Jimmy Szpak ’25 and Andrew Bradley ‘25 took the lead pack, with Andrew Bradley ’25 pushing through alongside them. By the final 800m, Bradley surged ahead, breaking away to claim 1st Place overall.
The 5 scoring athletes were:
1st – Andrew Bradley ’25 (14:212.20) |1pts|
2nd – Sam Fielding ’26 (14:38.20) |2pts|
3rd – Jimmy Szpak ’25 (14:46.50) |3pts|
11th – Tyler Gaydos ’26 (15:15.70) |11pts|
27th – Brett Cavanaugh ’27 (15:52.50) |27pts)
Salesianum won the race with a low score of 44 points, defeating 2nd by 2 points and last by 291 points.
Salesianum Junior Varsity Receives Starting Instructions from Official at Manhattan XC Invitational
Varsity Boys: Battling It Out in Eastern States Championship
Salesianum’s varsity team, consisting of two freshmen, three sophomores, one junior, and one senior, took on some of the fastest teams on the East Coast. Competing against 198 athletes from 30 different schools. The race was intense from the start. As 198 runners charged toward a narrow 10-foot opening in a treeline, the course quickly became a battlefield, with runners shoving, elbowing, and even a few tumbling. Despite the chaos, the Salesinaum boys finished 16th overall, a strong showing against the elite competition.
Ethan Walther – Senior
Ethan was excited to be back in Manhattan, stating that he felt “hungry for more.” With a time of 12:59.80, Ethan led the team, finishing 16th overall.
Aidan Leary – Junior
Aidan said how, “Manhattan isn’t the palace for you to be nice to the person running next to you, if you are scared to push, shove, and cut people off, then you should stay at home, Manhattan is a strategy game, you need to calculate every decision, every step you take, and do it with confidence”. He finished 2nd for Salesianum, 81st overall with a time of 13:53.30.
James Dempsey – Sophomore
James commented on how “it was a rough race, competing with some of the best in the country, it was a rough race with lots of hits, you had to fight your way through a pack, pushing and shoving. It was a slow day due to all of the dust not used to running on a dry course”. He fought through the packs to finish 3rd for Salesianum and 88th overall with a time of 14:00.60.
Matthew Poole – Sophomore
Matthew reflected on the challenges of the race, stating, “The work is never over—there will always be someone faster, someone smarter.” He finished 4th for Salesianum with a time of 14:11.10.
Kaleb Kain – Sophomore
Kaleb described the race as “chill,” but admitted the course itself was tough. He finished 5th overall for Salesianum with a time of 14:14.50.
Colin Dempsey and Lincoln Narvaez – Freshman
Colin and Lincoln both remarked how the experience was challenging but valuable. Colin finished 6th for Salesianum with a time of 14:16.80, while Lincoln finished 7th for the team with a time of 14:20.60.
As the season progresses, the Salesianum boys are gearing up for championship season, with their final invitational of the year taking place this Friday at Killens Pond.
