Cross Country

Hinsdale Central senior Aden Bandukwala, who swept all three postseason races and repeated as Class 3A state champion, is the Suburban Life boys cross country Runner of the Year. His story, and the Suburban Life All-Area cross country team.

York senior Michaela Quinn, who overcame a badly sprained ankle to win the West Suburban Silver meet and led the Dukes to their second Class 3A state championship in three years, is the Suburban Life Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Her story, and the All-Area team.

Sandwich sophomore Sunny Weber is The Times Cross Country Runner of the Year

With state medals, personal records and more up and down the lineup, it was a standout year for the runners on the boys all-area team.

Swanson led all area runners at the Gary Coates Invitational, Three Rivers Conference, Class 1A Seneca Regional and Class 1A Oregon Sectional meets.

Longtime PHS coach Pat Hodge and program historian ranks Frueh and Acker as the best freshman duo in 40 years since Brenda Wesner and Kelly Bosworth ran together in 1983 and Becky Scott and Jennifer Knoshbin the year before in 1982.

Yorkville sophomore Owen Horeni, who helped lead the Foxes to their top team finish in the state in Class 3A and individually entered the program's top 20 all-time performance at Detweiller Park, is the Record Newspapers boys cross country Athlete of the Year.

Sandwich sophomore Sunny Weber, who won conference, regional and sectional championships and broke a school record in taking third at state, is the Record Newspapers girls cross country Athlete of the Year.

Recognizing girls from Bureau Valley, Princeton and St. Bede

Featuring boys from Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton and St. Bede

Plainfield North sophomore cross country runner Thomas Czerwinski was voted the Herald-News Athlete of the Week after he finished fifth at the Class 3A state meet and led the Tigers to a runner-up team trophy.

Plainfield North's boys cross country team finished as the state-runner up in Class 3A, while Plainfield South took third. Both teams say their rivalry pushes them, but the district foes celebrated together at state.

Check out photos from the Class 2A girls State Cross Country meet on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Downers Grove North's Eddington siblings, senior and sophomore Lily, could be in for a memorable final race running together at the state meet. The Downers North boys have been ranked No. 1 all season, the girls are a top five-rated team.

Ryan Eddington, who took third place at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in 15:24.7, leading Downers Grove North to the team championship, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is his Q&A with Joshua Welge.