October means the CBA cross country season is ramping up.

After September featured early season tune-ups, the Shore Coaches Invitational marked the first time all of CBA’s top varsity runners lined up together, a clear indication that the stakes are rising.

Unsurprisingly, the Colts dominated the Holmdel Park race, winning by 32 points over the second place finisher on October 4. CBA had four finishers in the top 10, led by senior Luke Hnatt in second place. One of the most exciting runners in the state, Hnatt was the top finisher that counted towards the team scores.

Junior Gavin Schmitt was fifth, senior Ryan Collins took seventh and senior Sean Galvin was 10th.

The Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park kicked off a crucial two-week stretch, with the prestigious Manhattan Invitational in New York City on October 11. CBA will be returning to Manhattan University as the defending champions of the meet.

These are the first major tests of the fall season, and they’ll offer an early look at how this year’s team stacks up against some of the best competition in the state, region and beyond.

“We have been training all summer for these meets and we are ready to showcase our top seven against great competition,” Hnatt said.

The fields at both meets are loaded with talent. Teams featuring Stanford and UVA commits, along with other nationally ranked programs, will be on the line. For CBA, this is more than just an opportunity to win the race, it’s a chance to make a statement. A strong showing in early October could set the tone for the championships in November, reinforcing that the Colts are once again a powerhouse on the national stage.

CBA will have two traditional local meets after the Manhattan Invitational: the Monmouth County Championship on October 14 and the Shore Conference Championship on October 23.