Just days after opening the season with an impressive national ranking, the cross country team showcased its depth with strong performances in two states on Saturday. A travel squad lined up at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, North Carolina, while the rest of the varsity roster controlled the Dominican–Holy Cross Invitational at City Park in New Orleans. 

In North Carolina, senior Brady Monahan (15:27.1), senior Joe Accardo (15:27.7), and junior David Quintana (15:29.0) packed tightly through the finish, followed by senior Connor Fanberg (15:57.6) and junior Patrick Fitzmorris (16:02.7). Junior Andrew Nimmo and sophomore Race Hughes made the Jays proud with times of 16:44.5 and 16:48.2 respectively. The Jays kept Jesuit in the mix throughout a nationally ranked field on WakeMed’s fast 5K layout, finishing second overall to Christ School from North Carolina.

Back home at City Park, the Blue Jays handily won the boys varsity team title at the Dominican–Holy Cross Invitational. Collectively, the team scored an 18: an almost-perfect score in cross country terms. Scoring was driven by junior Collin Marquette (16:18), junior Patrick Smith(16:22), sophomore Jackson Barnes (16:35), freshman Nathan Braud (16:37), and sophomore Austin Henderson (16:46) with sophomore Collin Matherne (16:50) and junior Ashton Hall (17:48) closing.

Saturday’s split-squad showing, with one unit running in a national showcase and another pursuing points at home, aligns with the approach outlined earlier this week when Jesuit announced its number 4 national ranking and emphasized roster depth under head coach Nick Accardo.

Complete Results

Great American Cross Country Festival

• Senior Brady Monahan, 15:27.1
• Senior Joe Accardo, 15:27.7
• Junior David Quintana, 15:29.0
• Senior Connor Fanberg, 15:57.6
• Junior Patrick Fitzmorris, 16:02.7
• Junior Andrew Nimmo, 16:44.5
• Sophomore Race Hughes, 16:48.2

Dominican–Holy Cross Invitational

• Junior Collin Marquette, 16:18
• Junior Patrick Smith, 16:22
• Sophomore Jackson Barnes, 16:35
• Freshman Nathan Braud, 16:37
• Sophomore Austin Henderson, 16:46
• Sophomore Collin Matherne, 16:50
• Junior Ashton Hall, 17:48