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.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Herald All-Area boys cross country team.

Huntley's Tommy Nitz, Jacobs' Max Sudrzynski, Woodstock's Ellery Shutt and Johnsburg's Grady Smith all placed in the top-25 to medal Saturday at the IHSA Cross Country State Meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

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.

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Local runners compete in the Fox Valley Conference Cross Country meet on Saturday, Oct. 19,2024 at Hickory Nut Grove Preserve in Cary.

Cary Grove junior Jameson Tenopir used a big surge in the final mile to win the boys race, St. Charles North boys win first home meet, and Shayne Dietzen's win in girls race paces Glenbard West to team win.