NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 7, 2025) – Junior Nolan Crooks of the North Central College men's cross country team has been named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Runner of the Week for his efforts leading the Cardinals to a first-place team finish at the Skyhawk Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4. Crooks was the overall top finisher in the race, marking the first race win of his career.
 
The weekly award is the first of Crooks' career and is the third time a Cardinal has won the award this season, with BJ Sorg and Ari Elmayan earning the honor on Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, respectively.
 
Crooks led the way at the Skyhawk Invitational in Dixon, Ill. last Saturday, taking first-place by a 13-second margin. The junior turned in a time of 26:04.0, just one second shy of his career-best. The Cardinals swept the top 11 spots in the race for a perfect 15-point team win.
 
North Central will take a short break in competition before heading to Augustana College for the Augustana Interregional Invitational.