Naperville Central Wins DuPage Valley Conference Title
The team secured the championship victory while Jesse Gudauskas claimed the individual title at the conference meet.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Running
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Naperville Central captured the DuPage Valley Conference boys cross country championship on October 19. Jesse Gudauskas led the field with a first-place finish, completing the course in 15:03.05.
Why it matters
The team's victory was anchored by a balanced scoring performance across multiple top finishers. The result provides a strong foundation for the squad heading into the upcoming regional competition.
Jesse Gudauskas finished first at 15:03.05, while Grayson Meek took second in 15:13.1. Chase Gewin and Gustavo Bacellar recorded times of 15:21 and 16:00, respectively.
The players
Jesse Gudauskas
He is a cross country runner who secured the individual first-place title at the conference meet.
Grayson Meek
He is a cross country runner who earned second place in the conference championship.
Chase Gewin
He is a cross country runner who placed in the top six at the conference meet.
Gustavo Bacellar
He is a cross country runner who achieved a top 15 finish during the conference event.
Naperville Central
This is a high school athletic program that secured the team victory at the conference championships.
The details
Naperville Central secured the win through a collective effort, while individual runners like Shrey Meyer, Derek Williamson, and Manny Najera rounded out the top finishers. The race route at Northern Illinois University initially featured a downhill segment during the first mile.
Timeline
The DuPage Valley Conference cross country championship occurred on October 19, 2026.
The regional cross country meet is scheduled for October 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This victory establishes Naperville Central as a key contender in the regional landscape. The team looks to carry this momentum into the next qualifying round to maintain their competitive position.
The conference result determines the seeding and qualifying status for the upcoming regional meet on October 24. Performance times, such as the 15:21 mark for Chase Gewin, highlight the competitive standard required for advancement.
The takeaway
The team victory was driven by strong depth across the roster rather than individual dominance alone. Athletes preparing for the regional meet can focus on maintaining their current pace after successfully navigating the opening downhill segment of the conference course.
What happens next
The regional cross country meet is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Further reading
Stay updated on local results by visiting Naperville Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NCTV17.
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