Sectionals have come and gone and now the teams and runners who made it through now turn their attention to Saturday’s group championships as 12 teams of both sexes will be crowned state champions.

However, the state title isn’t the only thing the teams are fighting for. The end goal will be a spot in the coveted Meet of Champions, which takes place next week and will crown the best rider and team in the state of New Jersey.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the NJSIAA Group Championships.

What are group championships?

The NJSIAA Cross Country Group Championships are considered the second round of the playoffs where teams who advanced past the sectionals will compete for the state championships and also a spot in the Meet of Champions, the final round of the playoffs playoffs. With 6 groups (1, 2, 3, 4, Non Public A, Non Public B), 12 champions will be crowned between girls and boys.

How do teams and riders access the Meet of Champions?

For teams, the six group champions will automatically qualify. After them, all non-qualified teams will be merged and the top eight schools after the merger by team score (regardless of group) will advance to the Meet of Champions. Also note that the Group champions are not included in the merger.

For runners, the first ten (10) individuals in each group automatically qualify. After them, the next thirty individuals with the best times across all groups and who have not yet qualified through their teams or among the top ten individuals will enter as wildcards.

Where will the meeting take place?

The group championships will return to Holmdel Park in Holmdel.

What time does the competition start and when does each race take place?

The first race will start at 9:30 a.m. Here is the full program for the day and when each group will take place:

9:30 a.m. – Group 1 Boys

10:00 a.m. – Group 3 Boys

10:30 a.m. – Group 1 Girls

11:00 a.m. – Group 3 Girls

11:30 a.m. – B Boys non-public

12:00 p.m. – Group 4 Boys

12:30 p.m. – Non-public B girls

1:00 p.m. – Group 4 Girls

1:30 p.m. – A Boys non-public

2:00 p.m. – Group 2 Boys

2:30 p.m. – Non-Public A Girls

3:00 p.m. – Group 2 Girls

Will there be rewards?

Yes, a trophy and ten (10) certificates to the first team of each group. Medals to the first ten (10) in each group.

Additionally, award ceremonies will be held for each race. Here is the approximate schedule for the awards ceremony:

11:15 a.m. – Group 1 – Boys followed by girls

11:45 a.m. – Group 3 – Boys followed by Girls

1:15 – Non-public B-Boys followed by girls

1h45 – Group 4 – Boys followed by Girls

3:15 p.m. – Non-public A – Boys followed by girls

3:45 p.m. – Group 2 – Boys followed by Girls

Bakari Tice can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow or message him on Twitter/X at @BakariTice.

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