After a season-opening victory at the Bowdoin Invitational in mid-September, the Christian Brothers Academy cross country team is now preparing for one of the country’s best invitationals.

The Manhattan Invitational in the Bronx has historically been one of CBA’s best meets outside of New Jersey, as the Colts have won the title 21 times.

Since last year, the Manhattan Invite has carried extra meaning for CBA XC, as the team continues to honor the legacy of former teammate and alumnus Alex Kemp ‘24.

In 2025, the meet dedicated the high school boys Eastern States Championship trophy as the Alex Kemp Award, in memory of the champion runner. Unsurprisingly, the Colts won the first Kemp Award in dominant fashion for their fourth Manhattan Invite win in a row.

Senior Gavin Schmitt was part of last year’s winning team and one of Kemp’s teammates during Schmitt’s first year at CBA.

“Alex was a really big mentor to me here when I was a freshman,” Schmitt said. “It’s a really big deal that I get to run a race and get to win his trophy, and won’t pass up an opportunity to do so.”

Schmitt understands that the meet will bring emotions that go beyond racing. CBA will have to balance the pressure of competing with the importance of honoring someone who meant so much to the program.

“There's an elephant in the room and it needs to be addressed,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough day for all of us. We have to step up and embrace the moment because we want to be leaving happy with Alex’s trophy.”

The team’s varsity runners did not race last weekend, so they have been preparing with various training runs since their win at Bowdoin. Schmitt believes that the vibes are high and they are ready for the weekend in the Bronx.

The Manhattan Invitational has always been a huge race for CBA considering that the team has won it over 20 times, but for Schmitt, this is going to be one of the biggest of his senior season.

“It is probably the most important thing on my senior schedule, other than NXN,” he said. “Winning the Alex Kemp trophy would be a really big deal for us and we obviously want to keep it in house."

For Schmitt and his teammates, competing for the Alex Kemp Award will be about more than just winning another race. It gives the team an opportunity to honor Alex’s memory and continue the tradition he helped foster at CBA.