PEORIA — The Rochelle Hub cross-country teams participated in a big field of teams at the First to Finish meet in Peoria this past Saturday.
In the boys’ race 506 runners competed, while in the girls’ race 417 runners took part. Kaneland won the Class 2A boys race. and Vernon Hills won the Class 2A girls race.
Hub coach Mark Zilis said the large pool of runners is good for the Rochelle athletes and often brings out the best individually.
“The First to the Finish Meet is always a great experience for our team with thousands of runners competing on the state championship course at Detwelleier Park in Peoria,” Zilis said. “Every one of our runners set their season’s best time at this meet.”

In the boys’ competition, Rochelle placed 53rd out of 59 teams with Santi Cordoba leading the way in 156th place with a time of 17:25.
Rochelle’s Tucker Louis placed 270th with a time of 18:13 and Josue Huerta was 304th with a time of 18:29.
Aiden Seldal finished with a time of 19:36, David Wanner ran the course in 19:58 and Evan Horner rounded out the times with a 21:02.
Baez leads girls
Rochelle did not have enough runners to compete in the team competition, but Lady Hub Britney Baez turned in a solid time of 20:45, which was good enough for 114th place in the girls’ division.
Sara Johnson was 203rd with a time of 22:03 and Emily Garcia ran a time of 29:45.
“Our standout runners were both Britney and Sara on the girls’ team,” said Gilis. “Santi, Tucker and Josue ran well for the boys, and David Wanner broke 20:00 for the first time, which is great for a freshman competing in only his third high school meet.”
The Hubs’ next meet is this Thursday at Skare Park in Rochelle.