Name: Evan Nosek

School: Kaneland, freshman

Sport: Cross Country

Why he was selected: Nosek was the individual champion at the Interstate 8 cross country meet Oct. 16. As a team, Kaneland won first place. Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson caught up with Nosek to discuss his season. Below is an edited transcript presented by Don McCue Chevrolet in St. Charles.

Bartelson: What has been the most rewarding part of your season up on varsity?

Nosek: Honestly, just being able to hang out with the [upperclassmen runners]. Being up with them and giving me the motivation to keep on going, them keeping me in place. Even during races and stuff, [they’ll tell me] ‘get up there’ and all that. It’s just been so motivating and, honestly, one of the best parts of being on Kaneland’s team.

Bartelson: I know cross country is part of your family lore in a lot of ways. What’s your favorite part of the sport and what does it give you?

Nosek: Running itself … [it can be] painful, but the best part is the afterward. Having the confidence in yourself that [you] just got done with something good. I’m actually doing something with my time in my days instead of wasting the hours. That’s a huge thing of why I like running.

Bartelson: Was that the first time you medaled for first place?

Nosek: I used to have this old club in third grade called Accelerators. [My early experience with the club, plus middle school and high school teams and] my coaches [who] trained me very well and that’s probably why I’ve grown to be the person I am today. … The races back then, I’ve gotten a couple medals.

Bartelson: Were you up on varsity the entire time this season or did you get pulled up halfway through?

Nosek: For the beginning of the season, I was kind of on frosh/soph. … After awhile, as I started improving a bit and as those [upperclassmen] started bringing me up a bit more, every once in a while [Kaneland coach Chad Clarey] would switch me to varsity. … I alternated.