One thing is clear this season: a surge of young talent is ready to make its mark on New Jersey cross-country.

From freshmen surprising everyone with meet wins, to sophomores building on breakout seasons, and juniors solidifying their status among the state’s best runners, cross-country and distance running has never been more competitive than it is now.

Here are the runners who shined the most during the opening week of the season.

BOYS

Watt smashes meet record en route to huge win

Bernards senior Brody Watt made a statement in the opening race of his final high school cross-country season, capturing the individual title at Saturday’s Roxbury Invitational. Watt crossed the finish line in a blistering 15:04.41, shattering his previous personal best of 15:18.59 set last year at the Bat

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