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Schools

Sartori's The Spark For JCA

Rachelle Sartori was among three medalists as the Joliet Catholic Academy girls cross country team placed sixth among 16 teams at the Joliet Steelmen Invite.

With senior Rachelle Sartori leading the way, the Joliet Catholic Academy girls cross country team came up with another strong finish, this time at Saturday’s Joliet Steelmen Invite.

One week after winning the Tiger Conditioner, the Angels placed sixth out of 16 teams with 163 points. Oswego won the meet with 46, but JCA stayed in the game, sending three medalists through the chute.

Sartori (Joliet) placed eighth overall with a time of 19:34, while Erin Kennedy (Custer Park) placed 16th with a 20:02 and Moira McSteen (Channahon) placed 17th with the same 20:02.

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For Sartori, who has run track for the past three years, being healthy has made a huge difference.

“That’s the biggest thing,” JCA cross country co-coach Mindy Izzo said. “She doesn’t have any injury problems anymore, so we’ve noticed that she’s finally happy running and her times have showed it.”

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“Considering the quality of the competition, our girls had a great day, finishing as high as we did in the team standings,” JCA cross country co-coach Mark Clarke said. “We’re proud of our three medalists.”

There was more to the Angels, however, than on the medal stand. Francesca Sikorski (Shorewood) placed 50th with a 21:32, Chloe Korst (Joliet) took 73rd with a 22:42, Lauren Randich (Joliet) placed 74th with a 22:50 and Emily Egizio (Joliet) placed 75th with a 22:56.

Other runners for JCA included Maddie Kennedy (23:21), Laura Gordon (24:46), Marisa Corrals (25:56), Maddie Seneker (25:59), Alessa Smith (26:13), Alexis Kwaben (26:22), Maggie Huspek (26:29), Lauren Faber (26:47), Katie Schmig (28:08) and Megan Hines (31:12).

Izzo saved special praise for Gordon, a sophomore.

“Laura ran a pretty awesome race,” Izzo said. “She set a personal best and that’s always great to see.”

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