Batavia senior Francesco Benelli finished his high school career with a 13th-place finish at the 3A state meet, while also breaking a 51-year old school record. Benelli has been named the Kane County Chronicle boys cross country Athlete of the Year.

Batavia sophomore Avery Hacker enjoyed a happy return to the Class 3A state cross country meet Saturday, finishing an All-State eighth to lead the Bulldogs to fifth place. Meanwhile in Class 2A Kaneland's Evan Nosek took third, becoming the Knights' first four-time All-Stater.

After having two of their top 5 miss a month throughout the regular season, Kaneland is ready to comeback in full force at the Class 2A state meet. Plus, looks at the other teams and individuals running at Detweiller Park on Saturday.

DeKalb's Jacob Barraza ran a personal record time in holding off Wheaton Warrenville South's Josiah Narayanan as boys champion, York swept the boys and girls team titles, York freshman Karlin Janowski won the girls race and Batavia boys and girls were second at Lake Park.

Carson Kaiser is wise beyond his years. The Kaneland freshman has fit in wonderfully at the Maple Park school and was a key reason why the Knights were able to hold off runner-up Dixon and the rest of the field during Saturday’s Class 2A Kaneland boys cross country sectional.

Lucas stayed in stride with senior teammate Olivia Pinta during Saturday’s Class 2A Kaneland sectional as the duo finished in the top 15 to lead the Gators to second place.

Led by wins from Avery Hacker and Francesco Benelli in the girls and boys races, Batavia came away with both team titles at the DuKane Conference meet on Saturday at Lake Park.

At the Peoria High School Invite, Ellensohn dipped under the 15-minute barrier in a 3-mile race for the first time this season, running a 14:57.9 for a third-place finish in the Boys 3A race. Ellensohn was picked as the Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

Downers Grove North's boys and girls teams took home the team title, with Philip Cupial and Gavin Schroeder leading the boys with a 1-2 finish, while Sandwich's Sunny Weber controlled the girls race to take the individual title.