JCA's Sartori Secures A Four-Peat

As a freshman, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Rachelle Sartori wondered what all the fuss was about. As a senior, Sartori set her sights on a certain cross country race as early as September.

Fast forward to Oct. 15. In the East Suburban Catholic Conference Championships at Melas Park, Sartori covered the 3-mile course in 19:00, finishing 13th to earn a fourth straight all-conference award.

And this time, she knew too.

“I was very excited,” Sartori said. “My freshman year, being all-conference wasn’t even a goal. It was just a nice surprise. Then my sophomore year, I realized that I had gotten something as a freshman and it ended up being the last possible spot, so I was lucky. But now I know what it means and I wanted it.

“It adds more and more pressure every year, but I’m glad this year for the fourth one because I’ve been thinking about it for several weeks. I was nervous, but to be able to get it done is a big accomplishment.”

Sophomore Moira McSteen (Channahon) placed 32nd and senior Stephanie Demos (Plainfield) placed 33rd with identical times of 20:10 and junior Francesca Sikorski (Shorewood) came in 44th with a 20:54.

Senior Emily Egizio (52nd, 21:39), sophomore Chloe Korst (60th, 22:24) and senior Jasmine Smith (61st, 22:44) rounded out the runners as the JCA girls placed sixth with 174 points. Benet won with 49.

For Sartori, the ESCC race was a revelation. As a sophomore, she advanced downstate in Class 2A, but battled through health problems and injuries last fall. This year, the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly.

“I’m just so happy for her,” JCA co-coach Mindy Izzo said. “It’s quite an honor to be all-conference for four years, and with everything that she has been through in her four varsity seasons, it’s exciting to see her have this success. She knows how to run her race and she knows what her body can handle now.”

“Last year, she basically ran injured and she still was all-conference,” JCA co-coach Mark Clarke said. “This year, she feels good mentally, physically and emotionally. She was ready to make history.”

Four years after winning her initial award, Sartori did make history in cross country as the school’s first four-time all-conference runner. With the regional race on the docket this weekend, expect the same.

Or better.

“I have been more aggressive running in races,” Sartori said. “I’ve pushed myself more to achieve my goals. I have been tentative at times because I’ve had the injuries and fainting, and I didn’t want that to happen again. Before I played it safe to finish the race as opposed to pushing it and passing out.

“But I wanted to get to the finish to be all-conference and I knew the race that I had to run to get there.”