A signature win.
A pivotal victory that validates an athlete’s credibility. A performance that elevates their reputation or ranking. A huge confidence booster — and sometimes, a turning point in the season.
For Portsmouth senior Sean Gray, that moment came on Saturday. Putting a season-defining feather in his cap, Gray conquered a loaded field in the featured Varsity A race of the Shore Coaches Invitational — one that included state rivals Marshall Vernon of La Salle Academy and Colby Flynn of Bishop Hendricken.
The Virginia-bound harrier navigated the demanding five-kilometer terrain at New Jersey’s Holmdel Park in 15 minutes, 34 seconds, earning one of the most impressive victories of his high school career. Gray finished seven seconds ahead of future college teammate Luke Hnatt of Christian Brothers Academy (NJ), who clocked 15:41. Vernon (third, 15:42) and Flynn (fourth, 15:48) secured the next two spots, highlighting the Rhode Island trio’s dominance at one of the region’s premier meets.
As it turned out, it was Gray’s tactical approach that carried him to victory. With the front-running Vernon setting the pace for much of the race, the Portsmouth standout stayed within striking distance until about 800 meters remained. At that point — on the mostly downhill portion of the course — he surged past the La Salle senior with a strong move and a powerful kick to the finish.
While he expressed excitement about the win, Gray was quick to note that defeating his state rivals doesn’t make him the favorite when they all line up again at the State Meet on Nov. 1.
It’s still anybody’s race.
“I think it’s a great indicator for kind of how states is going, but I would not say it’s the end all be all, just because of the neutral playing field,” he said, “None of us knew the course very well so it was very easy for Marshall to make a move earlier to kind of breakaway from everyone and not know how much he’d have left at the end. Colby kind of hit the hills harder than he will at states. I just think tactically, I was a little more reserved, and it end up working for myself. Definitely I think it’s a good representation of my fitness and other people’s fitness at this moment.”
In the team competition, it was Christian Brothers Academy all the way. The nation’s No. 2-ranked squad placed four runners among the top 10 en route to a 40–72 victory over fellow New Jersey foe La Salle College. Bishop Hendricken was third with 120 points. La Salle Academy, missing several of its top runners, finished far back with 516 points.
Holmdel Park’s course opens with a long uphill climb. Gray, Vernon, and Flynn were among the lead pack that passed the mile checkpoint in around 5:10–5:11. Vernon maintained the lead through that stretch, opening a 30-meter gap on Gray and the chase pack as the course climbed again near the midway point. With a strong surge just before two miles, the Stanford signee tried to break from his competitors. Gray hung tough, and when the course began its descent, he made the move that mattered with a half mile left.
“I passed him there and he was pretty swift but you could tell he was hurting,” Gray said. “But it’s Marshall, so I knew he was going to stick with me as long as he can. I also knew that Luke Hnatt was right behind me as well. He was sticking right on my back. I knew it was going to be competitive. I really tried to turn it on during the downhill to try and create some separation. On the last turn, about 100 meters before an uphill going to the chute, I gave it everything I had. I have been working on my finishing kick a lot, and really used that to my advantage. I felt like I kicked very strongly.”
Saturday’s race was Gray’s first all-out effort of the season. He plans to skip next Saturday’s Manhattan College Invitational (NY), where Vernon and Flynn are expected to compete. He’ll also miss a potential trip to the Wickham Park Invitational (CT), another top regional meet this coming weekend.
It’s all in preparation for the bigger meets at the end of the fall campaign, which includes the State Meet and the Nike Cross Regionals (NXR).
“We’re keeping it light,” said Portsmouth coach Evan Denard. “I might be taking some of the boys to Wickham, but he’s not going. He just might tempo our East Bay Challenge (in mid October) and then end with the class (meet) and states. His marks are states, and then really looking at NXR. He’d like to get back to Nike Cross Nationals.”
Despite the win, Gray remains grounded, knowing that both Vernon and Flynn are equally capable of turning the tables at States.
“I really don’t think this makes me a favorite at all. I beat them in the race but this is such as different race compared to the state course with experience and knowledge of the course,” he said. “Going into states, really anything can happen. It could be any of the three of us. Cole, he took charge of some of the uphills (today), I took charge on the downhill, Marshall put in a big surge at something like 1.8 miles to try and put in a big gap, try and cruise into the finish from that. But not having knowledge of the course, it evened the playing field out. I feel like it’s going to be a lot more competitive and close at the finish at the states.”
Denard agreed with his star runner when discussing RI’s triple threat.
“It’s fun to watch,” he said. “I was just talking with Danny Brennan (Hendricken assistant coach) and Ken Skelly (La Salle head coach) beforehand. It’s a fun race to watch, the three of them racing each other. It’s was great win today for Sean, but we know they’ll all be coming hard for states. It’s a nice little checkpoint and a nice win today, but it doesn’t mean Sean has the upper hand.”
