Here are the top 10 local sports stories of 2012, as voted on by the Northwest Herald sports staff. There were no team state champions, but three groups who came close top the list.

1. Cary-Grove football: Cary-Grove was the Class 6A state runner-up after losing to Crete-Monee, 33-26, in the championship game. The Trojans were 13-1 on the season.

C-G was not seriously pushed in the regular season and advanced to the title game for the second time in four seasons. Although the Trojans came up short of their ultimate goal, it was still a historic season with fullback Kyle Norberg rushing for 2,218 yards and 27 touchdowns.