Boys Freshman Of The Year

We now move onto our best freshman of the year. We took the 4 fastest freshman from the state meet across all classes in order to make this list. Hope you enjoy voting for who you believe deserves this award.

Karanveer Patil (Lake Zurich) - Patil made history this past season as he bested Charlie Kern Jr.'s Freshman State Record of 14:34. He ran 14:30 at the State meet to be an all-stater. His best performances aside from state were at Richard Spring Invite (8th, 14:56), Palatine Invite (16th, 15:12), Loyola Flight Night (2nd, 15:16), NSC Conference (1st, 14:36), Warren Regional (3rd, 14:50), and Hoffman Estates Sectional (9th, 14:55).

Carson Kaiser (Maple Park [Kaneland]) - Kaiser placed 6th at the IHSA 2A State Meet in 14:41. He was a very highly touted freshman and lived up to the hype. His best performances aside from state were at FTTF Invite (14th, 15:23), Larry Eddington (6th, 15:10 [2.92]), Patricia Harland Invite (1st, 16:06), Interstate 8 Conference (2nd, 14:50), Belvidere North Regional (3rd, 15:20), and Kaneland Sectional (3rd, 15:06). His most impressive performance was likely at NXR Midwest where he took 39th place in the Championship race in 15:36.

Micah Weiss (Chicago [Latin]) - Weiss took 30th place at the 2A State Meet in 15:03. Weiss entered high school as a Indoor Mile National Champion last year as an 8th grader. His best performances aside from state were at Red Devil Invite (29th, 15:17 [2.9]), FTTF Invite (12th, 15:18), Latin Prep Classic (3rd, 15:28), Lisle Mane Invite (5th, 16:29 [5K]), Elmwood Park Regional (2nd, 15:22), and Hinsdale South Sectional (5th, 14:40 [2.9]).

Grady Smith (Johnsburg) - Smith was 9th place at the 1A State Meet in 15:04. Smith really developed nicely over the season and put Johnsburg back on the map for Cross Country. His best performances aside from state were at McHenry County Invite (4th, 16:58), Rich Eschman Invite (3rd, 16:22), KRC Preview (2nd, 16:19), FTTF Invite (10th, 15:33), James Taylor Invite (2nd, 16:00), Patricia Harland Invite (4th, 16:20), Amboy Invite (2nd, 15:18 [2.95]), KRC Conference (2nd, 15:56), Elgin Harvest Christian Regional (1st, 16:20 [5K]), and Lisle Sectional (2nd, 16:06 [5K]).

Freshman Of The Year

• Karanveer Patil (Lake Zurich) 14:30
• Carson Kaiser (Maple Park [Kaneland])
• Micah Weiss (Chicago [Latin])
• Grady Smith (Johnsburg)