The Streak Reaches 400 Straight for CBA XC
“The Streak” all started with seven runners and head coach Tom Heath in September 1974. CBA defeated Marist, 15-50, on that day and incredibly enough, have not lost since.
Just a few days shy of The Streak’s 50-year anniversary, CBA notched the next memorable milestone on September 18: win number 400 in a row.
The Colts notched their 399 and 400-straight dual meet wins against Point Boro and Southern Regional on their home course.
During Heath’s 45-year career as CBA’s cross country head coach, he created one of the most successful high school teams. Heath led CBA to an astonishing 26 state championships, 21 Meet of Champions titles, 15 Eastern States Championships wins, and a Nike National Championship in 2011.
The national record for consecutive dual meet wins was broken in 2004, when CBA won its 266th straight.
Paving a new way is head coach Sean McCafferty, who is filling big shoes after Heath retired in 2015. Unsurprisingly, McCaffery picked up right where Heath left off, continuing CBA’s dominance.
Coincidentally, McCafferty’s first dual meet in September 2016 was a mere five-point victory over Colts Neck in one of CBA’s closest calls during The Streak.
“Taking over for Heath eight years ago was tough, but I’m glad I was able to do it and do it well,” McCafferty said.
Of course, it is the runners who are lighting fast on the course. This fall, the Colts are led by defending 2023 Meet of Champions individual winner, senior Joe Barrett.
“We’re going to train hard day in and day out,” senior Joe Barrett said, “ Keep the same work ethic that we’ve had all summer long.”
Starting with just those seven runners and Heath coaching solo in 1974, he built the program into one of the top high school teams in the nation.
Win number 400 was even more special, as the momentous day was capped off with a public display of appreciation for Heath. The famed course on the CBA campus is now named the Tom Heath Cross Country Course, with a new arch at the finish line.
“It is pretty cool,” Heath said after the race. “The best part is we had a lot of alums here and they remember all of the good things. It is really, really nice.”
