BOYS - CLASS 1A, 2A, 3A

The Class 1A and Class 2A team titles went to pair of first-time champions in 2009, as Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) edged runner-up Canton by a single point (122-123) to take Class 1A honors. Later in the day it was Belvidere (North) claiming its first boys cross country state championship trophy, as the Blue Thunder topped their closest competitor by 42 points and cruised to the Class 2A crown behind junior Paul Zeman's Class 2A individual title (15:09). Belvidere (North) placed second in 2008.

The Class 3A race saw Naperville (Neuqua Valley) win its second state title in thee years (second overall) and help keep Naperville as the current boys cross country title town in Illinois, as Naperville (North) was the 2008 champion.

The Class 1A individual honors went to Rockford (R. Christian) junior Justin Rehfeldt (15:06), while Orland Park (Sandburg) sophomore Lukas Verzbicas backed up his national ranking by pacing the Class 3A field with the day's best time (14:07).

GIRLS - CLASS 1A, 2A, 3A

The Class 1A race saw repeat title performances for the team and individual in Winnebago and Bloomington (Central Catholic) senior Kelly Curran (17:46), respectively. Curran became the ninth runner in state history to win two individual state crowns or more in a career, while Winnebago edged Decatur (St. Teresa) by four points (123-127) for the school's fifth consecutive girls cross country state championship and IHSA-best twelfth overall.

The Class 2A team title remained in Springfield, but moved across town from 2008 winner Springfield (Sacred Heart Griffin) to Springfield (H.S.), which marked the first girls cross country state title for the Senators. Palatine (H.S.) is no stranger to girls cross country state titles, as the school sits only behind Winnebago for the most in IHSA history and added its seventh overall and first since 1996 when the Pirates ran away from the Class 3A field to post a 43-point victory.

Woodstock (H.S.) junior Kayla Beattie (17:14) crossed the Class 2A finish line six seconds ahead of 2008 champion Margo Richardson (17:20) of Mt. Vernon, while Chicago (Whitney Young) senior Lavinia Jurkiewicz (17:11) took top individual accolades in the Class 3A race with a six-second win of her own.