Columbia High School Cross Country Team's Historic 2025 Season

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Columbia High School Cross Country Team Achieves Historic Success in 2025 Season

Record-breaking performances and championship titles highlight an exceptional year

The Columbia High School Cross Country team, guided by coaches Alex Simon and Michael Johnson, embarked on the 2025 season with unprecedented achievements.

At the Roxbury Invitational in early September, Keira Monagle secured second place, recording the second-fastest 5k in school history at 18:41.82.

Notably, Leo Klint shattered the school's 5k record, finishing fourth with a time of 15:33.09, marking the eighth fastest time on the Roxbury course.

Freshmen Cecily Taber-Kewene, Chloe Tarry, and Niko Reese also made their mark by breaking the freshman school record.

In October, the team excelled at the Super Essex Conference (SEC) Championships.

The varsity boys, freshman boys, and freshman girls clinched first place, while the varsity girls, novice boys, and novice girls secured second.

Leo Klint triumphed in the American Division race for the second consecutive year.

At the Essex County Championship at Cedar Grove Park, the boys' team achieved a remarkable sweep, winning the championship, junior varsity, and freshman races for the third year in a row.

Leo Klint placed second in the championship race.

The girls' team earned second in the championship and won both the junior varsity and freshman races.

Keira Monagle defended her individual championship title, setting a course record of 18:55.57.

Concluding the season in November, the boys' varsity team advanced to the NJSIAA Group Championships for the second consecutive year.

Leo Klint and Levi Taber-Kewene qualified individually for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, marking the first time in school history that more than one boy qualified.

Senior Keira Monagle also qualified for the girls' NJSIAA Meet of Champions for the second year in a row, recording the second-fastest time in school history at Holmdel Park.

In December, Keira Monagle was honored as the SEC Cross Country Girl of the Year, and the boys' team was named SEC Team of the Year.

Coach Alex Simon received the Coach of the Year award from both the Essex County Track Coaches Association and NJ.com for the second consecutive year.

These accolades underscore the team's dedication and exceptional performance throughout the 2025 season.