Gillespie's Chaz Oberkfell Dominates 1A IHSA State Cross Country Once Again

MELHS places 16th as a team in 1A cross country; Roxana 23rd, McGivney 27th.

Dan Brannan, Content Director

Nov 9, 2025 9:35 AM Nov 9, 2025 9:40 AM

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PEORIA — Gillespie’s Chaz Oberkfell captured the 1A IHSA State Championship in cross country on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, with a commanding time of 14 minutes, 32.1 seconds at the state meet held in Peoria.

Oberkfell led the field decisively, finishing ahead of Evan Knobloch, who placed second with a time of 14:46.3. Blake McLeese of Tuscola was third in 14:46.5, followed closely by Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian) in fourth at 14:48.4. Elijah Teeny also finished near the top, recording a time of 14:49.0.

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Among other notable individual performances, Metro East Lutheran runners included Lucas Abbott in 54th place (15:35.96), Jack Shank in 65th (15:45.20), and Dean Hemmer in 107th (16:06.34). Roxana’s Anthony Hardin finished 104th (16:04.85), with teammates Noah Crump, Easton Johnston, and Chase Kallal placing 128th (16:17.22), 139th (16:21.8), and 140th (16:21.96), respectively. Adam Jansen of Althoff Catholic was 122nd (16:15.33), Henry Reiseck of MELHS was 157th (16:36.34), and Connor Schmidt of Father McGivney placed 159th (16:35.73).

In the team competition, Metro East Lutheran High School secured 16th place with 409 points, Roxana finished 23rd with 538 points, and Father McGivney placed 27th with 685 points.

The team championship was claimed by Eureka, which scored 151 points to take the 1A state title.

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