Cross-country Group Championship preview, 2024: FAQ and what to know ahead of Saturday

Sectionals have come and gone and now the teams and runners that made it out now look ahead to Saturday’s Group Championships as 12 teams across both genders will be crowned as state champions.
A state title isn’t the only thing teams are fighting for, however. The final goal will be a spot in the coveted Meet of Champions, set to take place next week and crown N.J.‘s state’s best runner and team.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the NJSIAA Group Championships.
The NJSIAA cross country Group championships is considered to be the second round of the postseason where teams that advanced after sectionals will compete for state championships and also a spot at the Meet of Champions, the final round of the postseason. With there being 6 groups (1, 2, 3, 4, Non-Public A, Non-Public B), 12 champions will be crowned between the girls and the boys.
How do teams and runners advance to the Meet of Champions?
For teams, all six Group Champions will automatically qualify. After them, all non-qualifying teams will be merged, and the top eight schools after the merge 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 top ten (10) individual finishers in each Group automatically qualify. After them, the next thirty individuals with the fastest times across all Groups combined who have not already qualified via their teams or a top ten individual finish will get in as wildcards.
The Group Championships will once again return to Holmdel Park in Holmdel.
The first race will get underway at 9:30 AM. Here’s the full schedule for the day and when each Group will run:
9:30am – Group 1 Boys
10:00am – Group 3 Boys
10:30 am – Group 1 Girls
11:00 am – Group 3 Girls
11:30am – Non-Public B Boys
12:00pm – Group 4 Boys
12:30 – Non-Public B Girls
1:00 – Group 4 Girls
1:30pm – Non-Public A Boys
2:00pm – Group 2 Boys
2:30pm – Non-Public A Girls
3:00pm – Group 2 Girls
Will there be awards?
Yes, a trophy and ten (10) certificates to the first-place team in each group. Medals to the top ten (10) individual finishers in each group.
Additionally, there will be award ceremonies held for each race. Here is the approximate award ceremony schedule:
11:15 – Group 1– Boys followed by Girls
11:45 – Group 3 – Boys followed by Girls
1:15 – Non-Public B- Boys followed by Girls
1:45 – Group 4 – Boys followed by Girls
3:15 – Non-Public A – Boys followed by Girls
3:45 – Group 2 – Boys followed by Girls
Bakari Tice can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him or send him a message on Twitter/X at @BakariTice.
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now!
Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)