The mud was thick, the air sharp with cold, and the stakes unmistakably high. When the gun cracked at the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association's All-Catholic Championship on Saturday at Como Park, the CHS Cross Country team was not the favorite. The Crusaders entered with a 3–3 league record and a modest fourth-place standing.

Less than 20 minutes later, they had rewritten their season's story.

Battling through slick terrain and the jostle of opposing elbows on narrow trails, the Crusaders surged to a second-place finish behind St. Joe's — its best championship performance since 2022. Along the way, the Crusaders toppled two long-standing rivals, defeating St. Francis for the first time in six years and Nichols for the first time in three. 

Captain Aidan Rivera '27 led the charge with a time of 17:43, placing fifth overall and earning him All-Catholic honors and a berth to the New York State Federation meet.

Brody Campbell '29 followed close behind in eighth place at 17:57, while Syd Pratt '28 finished 12th with a time of 18:12.

Benjamin Oswald '27 turned in a career-best 19:24, and Vincent Landori '29 sealed the team's scoring with a 19:25 finish.

In the Junior Varsity race, Canisius continued its strong showing, taking third overall and besting squads from St. Francis, Timon and St. Mary's. 

Garret Flaherty '29 led the JV lineup with a time of 20:46, followed by Peter McGrath '27, Connor Dickerson '29, and Alexander Horner '28. Sulaiman Abdulhalim '29 rounded out the scoring, setting a personal record of 23:15.

Students and families interested in CHS Cross Country and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area's "Best Catholic School" by Niche.com – can learn more by scheduling an on-campus experience at cansiushigh.org/visit

This place is special. Let us show you why.

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