Joel Boenitz

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Joel Boenitz

Headlined by 2025 Kane County Chronicle Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year Freddy Hassan of Kaneland, here is the Kane County Chronicle All-Area boys track and field team:Francesco Benelli, senior, Batavia: Benelli finished the season with the second-fastest 3,200-meter time in the state, running an 8:56.2 at the Wanner Knights’ Invitational and breaking the school record. The Loyola commit capped his high school career with a 14th-place finish at state in the event.

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Joel Boenitz

Freddy Hassan wanted to make sure he got back onto the podium at the state meet in Charleston. The Kaneland senior, who earned All-State honors in the high jump in both his sophomore and junior seasons, was willing to do anything to make sure he attained that goal. So much so that he couldn’t even wait for basketball season to end before getting into track and field shape.

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Joel Boenitz

Standing at the bottom of the podium at state was a bit of a wake-up call for Rosary’s Katie Kostro last season. After taking ninth in the Class 2A high jump, the then-sophomore left her first trip to O’Brien Field in Charleston dissatisfied and knew she wanted two things in her junior season. First, get the school record in the event, which was 1.65 meters by Amy Kus in 2008. And follow it up with a state title. Kostro achieved both goals.

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Joel Boenitz

Headlined by 2025 Kane County Chronicle Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year Katie Kostro, here is the Kane County Chronicle All-Area girls track and field team:Margaret Andrezjewski, junior, St. Francis: A key part of the Spartans’ distance crew, the junior ran a personal-best 2:13.05 in the 800-meter run at state to take third place for All-State honors. She finished 10th in the 1,600.

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Joel Boenitz

JOLIET — Luke Wildes has had a wild senior year with Benet. His senior football season was cut short after he tore his ACL in Week 9 against DePaul Prep. The senior put all of his focus on making sure that he could make it onto the baseball field. Not even six months later, he was back on the diamond for the Redwings, batting in the middle of the order and occupying right field for them. “It’s all I wanted to do. It became my life, trying to get back on the field,” Wildes said.