Dixon Cross Country Teams Advance to State at Kaneland

Dixon cross country teams advanced to the state tournament on Saturday at the Kaneland Sectional. The boys won the Class 2A team title, and the girls earned a fifth-place finish that qualified them for the state meet.

The Dukes recorded 32 points to claim the sectional championship. They return to the state finals as a team after holding the title last year. Thomas Jochum of Glenbard South won the individual race in 14:33. Carson Kaiser of Kaneland finished second in 14:44.

Three Dukes placed in the top five. Averick Wiseman finished third in 14:53, Alonzo Bautista placed fourth in 14:55, and Dean Geiger came in fifth in 14:58. Ethan Carter ran eighth, Bentlee Lawrenz was 12th, and Brody Hopper took 15th. Isaiah Rojop of Sterling also qualified for the state meet individually with a time of 15:05.

The Duchesses accumulated points for a fifth-place team finish. Brynleigh Davis led the group with an 11th-place finish in 18:22. Grace Conderman and Audrina Setchell placed 28th and 29th, respectively. Jade Setchell ran 44th, Lillian Haws was 55th, and Kyara Chavez took 56th. Addison White finished 65th.

Individual qualifiers from the surrounding area included Sophia Davis of Sterling, who placed 13th in 18:46, and Jaz’Mya Castaneda of Sterling, who finished 34th in 19:43. Anya Anaya of Oregon advanced from the Class 1A Oregon Sectional after an 18th-place finish in 20:05.

Other Cook County runners competed in the 1A event. Ashley Rodriguez of Rock Falls placed 33rd in 20:58 but did not qualify. Kenadee Carrigan of Morrison finished 48th. Jessie DeNeve of Erie-Prophetstown was 50th, Scarlett Payne of Amboy ran 62nd, and Grace King of Newman took 67th. Jade Hammer of the Hawks finished 74th.