This is the time of year for the Winnebago girls, the Rockford Christian boys, and the rest of the Rockford-area cross country stars, to really shine.

And they all stepped up this weekend as four teams and 12 individuals soared to next week's IHSA boys and girls state cross country meets in Peoria on Saturday. More Rockford-area sports: Boylan, Byron boys soccer look to turn conference titles into long postseason runs

Class 1A state qualifiers

The Rockford Christian boys won the 1A Sherrard Sectional as Evan White took third and led a trio of Royal Lions across the line. Julian Honeyville took fourth and Blake Lindberg placed fifth, and the Royal Lions soared to the sectional team title. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Byron's Tim Starw

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