Downers Grove North Wins First State Cross Country Championship

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Members of the Downers Grove North boys' cross country team receive a resounding welcome Saturday when they returned after cinching the school's first state cross country championship in Peoria. They rolled into town with a police escort and a full caravan to take part in a celebration at the high school.

The history-making team is made up of seniors Jacob Ridderhoff, Nick Chudzik, Sam McCool, Miles Christensen, Ryan Birkmeier, Brendan Lockerby, and junior Jack Roberts. Christens, Chudzik, Ridderhoff, and Roberts took home individual medals.

The team emerged with a total time of just over 1 hour and 13 minutes and an average time of 14 minutes and 44 seconds, defeating second place Neuqua Valley High School of Naperville by a margin of nine points.

Downers Grove North Athletic Director Denise Kavanaugh extended her congratulations and told the students "We are proud of you" in a celebratory email.

Congratulations to Downers Grove North boys' cross country team on this awesome victory!

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