December 01, 2022
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Sports - DeKalb County

Daily Chronicle 2022 Boys Cross Country Preview: Five to watch

By Lenny Eisele
Sept. 18, 2021 file photo - DeKalb's Riley Newport in the boys varsity race during the 51st Eddington Invitational Cross Country Meet Saturday September 18, 2021 in Elburn at Kaneland High School.

Sept. 18, 2021 file photo - DeKalb's Riley Newport in the boys varsity race during the 51st Eddington Invitational Cross Country Meet Saturday September 18, 2021 in Elburn at Kaneland High School. (Brian Hill/Daily Herald)

Riley Newport, DeKalb, sr.

Newport is the top returning runner for the Barbs. He finished third at the state meet last year and has shown no sign of slowing down this fall. He also is an accomplished track athlete with state experience. Look for him to repeat as a top runner in the state.

Jacob Barraza, DeKalb, so.

Barraza ran on the state cross country team in the fall and the state-qualifying 3,200-meter relay team in the spring. Although he is only a sophomore, he has established himself as top runner on the Barbs and will be an important part of their run back to state this season.

Naif Al Harby, Sycamore, jr.

Al Harby was the top runner for the Spartans at almost every race they ran last season, and he has looked the part of a top runner all throughout the offseason. He will be a major part of the Spartans trying to repeat their state run.

Ethan Solfisburg, Sycamore, sr.

Solfisburg is back for a third season of high-level running for the Spartans. He has been a big part of the Sycamore program for years and has the experience and talent to make a big impact this season.

Evan Nosek, Kaneland, so.

Nosek is coming off a hip injury in the spring but has used that time to learn more about the sport and training. He has all-state experience and should be the top runner for the Knights as they make another state run.