Dixon cross country teams advance to Illinois state meet

Dixon cross country teams earned spots at the upcoming state championship meet on Saturday. The boys captured the Class 2A Kaneland Sectional title, while the girls advanced as a team after placing fifth in their respective sectional.

The defending state champion boys team dominated the race. They finished with 32 points, securing the team title. Averick Wiseman, Alonzo Bautista, and Dean Geiger placed third through fifth for Dixon. Glenbard South’s Thomas Jochum won the individual race in 14:33. Kaneland’s Carson Kaiser finished second in 14:44.

Three other Dixon runners placed in the top 15. Ethan Carter finished eighth. Bentlee Lawrenz placed 12th, and Brody Hopper crossed the line 15th. Sterling’s Isaiah Rojop also qualified for the state meet individually after running 15:05.

Brynleigh Davis led the girls team with an 11th-place finish in 18:22. Her performance helped the Duchesses claim the fifth-place team spot. Grace Conderman and Audrina Setchell finished 28th and 29th. Jade Setchell placed 44th, Lillian Haws was 55th, and Kyara Chavez was 56th. Addison White finished 65th.

Individual qualifiers emerged from the girls competition as well. Sterling’s Sophia Davis took 13th in 18:46. Jaz’Mya Castaneda finished 34th in 19:43. Both runners will compete at the state level.

Other local athletes competed in different sectional brackets. Oregon’s Anya Anaya qualified for state from the Class 1A Oregon Sectional. She finished 18th in 20:05. Rock Falls’ Ashley Rodriguez ran 33rd in 20:58 but did not qualify. Morrison’s Kenadee Carrigan finished 48th. Erie-Prophetstown’s Jessie DeNeve placed 50th. Amboy’s Scarlett Payne finished 62nd, and Newman’s Grace King was 67th. Jade Hammer finished 74th for the Hawks.