St. Charles North Makes History with DuKane Conference Wins

UPDATE: St. Charles North is celebrating a historic victory at the DuKane Conference cross country meet held on October 14, 2023, at Lake Park’s East Campus. The North Stars not only claimed their first individual title but also secured their first-ever team championship in the conference’s history, a significant achievement since they had never won a title since the conference began in 2018.

In a thrilling performance, junior Sam Hill dominated the boys’ 3-mile race, finishing first in an impressive 14:57.6. Hill led his team to victory with a total of just 26 points—the lowest point total recorded by any team in the conference meet’s history. This remarkable feat comes despite one of their top runners finishing outside the top five. “I just took it out fast and didn’t really look back from there,” Hill stated. “It feels good, and I’m really proud of the team.”

Following Hill, Batavia’s Eddie Polaski secured second place with a time of 15:15.8, helping his team finish with 63 points. “I felt good in that first mile, but then my second mile I just felt terrible,” Polaski remarked, highlighting the mental and physical challenges athletes face.

Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South rounded out the top four teams, with junior Jack Sanders finishing third in 15:20.1. The Falcons totaled 71 points, while Wheaton Warrenville South finished fourth with 94 points.

On the girls’ side, Kara Glenn of St. Charles North surged ahead to win the 3-mile race in 16:54.9, showcasing her talent despite battling a plantar fasciitis injury. “I liked my strategy for the race. My goal was to just stay strong throughout,” Glenn explained. Her victory was part of a strong performance for the North Stars, who finished fourth overall as a team.

Batavia’s Avery Hacker, the reigning conference champion, crossed the line in second place at 16:59.3, leading her team to a successful defense of their title with 61 points. “She did a good job managing the gap between her and Glenn,” said Batavia coach Chad Hillman.

The competition was fierce, with Geneva’s Sofia Borter finishing in a distant third at 17:30.0 and leading her team to a third-place finish with 79 points.

As teams celebrate their achievements, all eyes will now be on the upcoming regional championships, where St. Charles North hopes to continue their momentum.

This extraordinary day at the DuKane Conference not only marks a milestone for St. Charles North but also sets the stage for thrilling future competitions. Share this historic moment with fellow fans and follow the teams as they prepare for what’s next!