2021 Daily Chronicle Boys Cross Country All-Area Team

Dekalb's Alex Boyden in the boys varsity race during the 51st Eddington Invitational Cross Country Meet Saturday September 18, 2021 in Elburn at Kaneland High School.

2021 Daily Chronicle Boys Cross Country All-Area Team

Runner of the year

Riley Newport, sr., DeKalb

First team

Alex Boyden, sr., DeKalb — Boyden posted a best time of 15:37 and had two top three finishes at invitationals. He was part of the state-qualifying Barbs team, something they hadn’t done since 1977.

Naif Al Harby, soph., Sycamore — Harby took 64th at state, finishing in 15:57. He was one second off his season-best time, set two weeks earlier at the regional meet.

Ethan Solifsburg, jr., Sycamore — Solifsburg posted his best time of the year at state, with his 15:48 powering him to a 47th-place finish. He was fourth in his regional and 20th in the sectional.

Evan Nosek, fr., Kaneland — Nosek saved his best for last, running a personal-best 15:17 in the state meet to take 21st. He was the Interstate 8 Conference champion.

Jacob Barraza, fresh., DeKalb — Barraza was the fifth-fastest freshman in the state meet. He had a best time this year of 16:00.

Zander Ward, sr., DeKalb — His best time was a 16:01 this year and was an All-DuPage Valley Conference selection.

Christian Phillips, sr., Kaneland — Phillips also put in his best time at the state meet, taking 45th in 15:45. He was an All-Interstate 8 Conference selection.

Honorable mention

Brady Babka, jr., Kaneland; Logan Cunz, sr., Kaneland; Nolan Allen, sr., Kaneland; Nick Kocher, sr., Sycamore; David Valkanov, sr., Kaneland; Aiden Garrell, sr., Sycamore; Trevor Neal, jr., Kaneland; Nathan Brening, jr., Genoa-Kingston

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