Freshman Lennox Szymonik placed fourth individually and led Jacobs to a state berth with a sixth-place finish Saturday at the Class 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional.

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Area high school runners compete in the Fox Valley Conference Cross Country Meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

Amana Omale led the Crystal Lake Central boys to victory, while Huntley won the girls title and Prairie Ridge's Emaline Foster claimed victory in the girls race during Saturday's Fox Valley Conference Cross Country Championship meet at McHenry County College.

Woodstock's Ellery Shutt placed second at the Crystal Lake South Rich Eschman Invite at Veteran Acres Park last week for the area’s best finish. Shutt is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

Cary-Grove's Jameson Tenopir enjoyed a blazing start to the 2025 boys cross country season with a first-place finish at the McHenry County Meet at Emricson Park in Woodstock. Tenopir is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

The 2025 boys cross country season is underway. Check out our team-by-team previews with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team in the Northwest Herald area.

Here are five runners to watch for boys cross country in the Northwest Herald coverage area in 2025.

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Area high school runners compete in the McHenry County Cross Country Meet on Saturday, August 30, 2025. at Emricson park in Woodstock.

Huntley senior Tommy Nitz ran a personal-best time in his final high school race, earning Class 3A All-State honors, and is the Northwest Herald Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year for the third year in a row.