BLOOMINGTON, Ill.- The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's cross country teams held their annual team banquet Sunday, Dec. 5. Head coach Greg Huffaker announced that senior Rebekah Harden (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Way-North) and junior J.D. Barrett (Tuscola, Ill./Tuscola) were named as the MVPs for the 2021 season.  

Harden produced an outstanding senior season for the Green and White. The Tinley Park, Ill. native was named to the All-Region team after finishing a team-best 27th place at the NCAA Midwest Regional, Nov. 13, with a time of 22:44.3. She was twice named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Runner of the Week for the week (Sept. 21 and Oct. 5), after winning the Gill Dodds Invitational with a time of 22:39 and placing fifth at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational as she clocked in with a time of 22:22.60. Harden also earned All-CCIW honors. 

For the men's squad, Barrett competed in all seven races with a season-best finish of 13th place at the Titan/Hawk Invitational (Sept. 10) with a time of 28:57.05. The Tuscola, Ill. native was one of IWU's top-two finishers in six of seven races this season. 

The team recognized one individual from the men's and women's team who was the hardest worker throughout the year. For the women's side, senior Lexie Dorsey (Mahomet, Ill./Mahomet-Seymour) took home this award. On the men's team, senior Zach Orpilla (North Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) garnered the distinction. 

Freshmen Annalese Chudy (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) and Nick Fisch (Woodridge, Ill./Montini Catholic) were recognized as the winner of the "Best Freshman" on the women's and men's teams, respectively.

The complete list of letterwinners can be found by clicking here. 

Illinois Wesleyan cross country will look to return to competition in the fall of 2022. To stay up-to-date on all things IWU cross country be sure to follow the team on social media @IWU_XCTF on Twitter and @IllinoisWesleyanXCTF on Instagram.