FIRST TEAM
Mike Bianchina, Geneva, Sr.
Limited in training as he recovered from a fractured left leg suffered during track sectionals last spring, Bianchina took 90th at the Class 3A state meet in 15:20 after running a personal-best 15:13 to place third at sectionals. “Had he not broken his leg,” coach Bob Thomson said, “I’m pretty confident he would have been an all-stater.”

Kyle Carter, Kaneland, Jr.

Carter overcame plenty – including an knee injury during the state series – to shave 23 seconds from his 2011 2A state meet time. His run of 15:22 helped the Knights to a 13th-place team finish. “Kyle brought our whole team’s level of training higher,” coach Chad Clarey said.