Bowdoin Park, site of the Nike Cross Regional Northeast (NXR-NE) meet on Saturday, is not an easy course. With the many different facets to course, a mixture of rolling hills, a long uphill climb, gravel paths, and lengthy flat and downhill portions, longtime La Salle Academy boys’ coach Ken Skelly classifies Bowdoin as a “true cross-country course.”
In other words, not exactly a terrain where a PRs are often created.
Like the thousands of runners over the years that have traversed the five-kilometer layout in Wappinger Falls, N.Y., Marshall Vernon didn’t achieve an all-time best when he last competed at the course for the annual Bowdoin XC Classic. But the La Salle junior did make a statement, and perhaps ignited a spark that would dictate how his season would follow after his victory in one of two 5K races at the Sept. 28 meet. Vernon clocked one of the state’s best-ever times, crossing the line in an impressive 15 minutes, 51.20 seconds.
Since that win, the second fastest of the day behind Christian Brothers (NJ) standout Joe Barrett’s insane15:25.5 effort, Vernon had been on a tear, one that’s included key victories at the Manhattan College Invitational, and the Class A and state championships as well as a runner-up performance at the New England’s two weeks ago.
Can that momentum continue this weekend when the Rams’ gifted harrier matches up against some of the region’s best, including Barrett?
“I think he’s in peak condition,” Skelly said. “He’s definitely prepared for it. The goal is to get to Portland – second, third, fifth, it doesn’t matter. He’ll take it.”
The La Salle coach is making somewhat of a reference to the criteria that is needed for Vernon, and any of the other top competitors and teams to advance their seasons further. For NXR-NE, further is a coast-to-coast trip to the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) in Portland, Ore., on Nov. 30. The top two teams at Saturday’s race and the top five harriers that are not on a qualifying squad earn a trip.
Individually, Vernon appears to be ready to punch his ticket to NXN. After winning the states with a near sub-15 of 15:00.75, the La Salle star, who ranks No. 24 in the country, was just strides away from claiming the New England crown, placing second in 15:14.0, a tick away from individual winner Soheib Dissa of Newtown (CT), who was timed in 15:13.0.
“The last time he was (at Bowdoin Park), he ran one of the fastest times ever on this course,” Skelly said. “I can see him running better (this weekend).”
Unlike previous years, where the nationals were held a week after the regional meet, qualifiers will have an extra week to prepare for what’s instore at NXN, held at the Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland.
“This year is unique,” Skelly said. “(Marshall will) get two weeks to prepare for it. It’s not going to be an easy race. There’s a handful of guys that have a chance. He’s got some experience on the course. He’s excited going into to it.”
The Ocean State will have strong representation in the Championship race with Portsmouth’s Sean Gray and Cumberland’s Sam Henderson among the individual entries and recent state champion Bishop Hendricken and La Salle sending full teams to NXN-NE.
Like Vernon, Gray has a chance to qualify, too. Along with running a PR of 14:55.56 at the Maine Festival of Champions on Oct. 5, he was also the Class B victor, finished second at the State Meet and was a bronze-medalist at the New England’s. Henderson, who had to overcome injuries earlier in the season, was fifth at the states and 28th at the New England’s where he was dealing with some health issues.
On the team side, the top four schools in the northeast are scheduled to race with Christian Brothers Academy (NJ), Ridgefield (CT), State College (PA) and Haddonfield Memorial (NJ) all entered. CBA is currently ranked No. 2 in the country. Ridgefield (No. 14) and Haddonfield (No. 28) are also listed in the top 30 nationally.
Fueled by sophomore Colby Flynn, Hendricken will have a solid crew at Bowdoin. In addition to Flynn, making the trip for the state titlist, who were also third at the New England’s, are BJ Kerachsky, Michael Moreira, Jack Moretta, Emmitt Rattey, and Brayden Seraichyk.
La Salle, which was third at the states and 13th at the NE meet, will have Vernon, Noah dosReis, Tristen McDonough, Seamus O’Brien, Nicholas Paquin, Bruce Sao Bento and Will Souza answering the gun.
