By Randy Whalen

It wasn't just a race, it was an event.

When the Joliet Central and Joliet West cross country teams kicked off the season it wasn't in a conventional race. Instead, it was a community event. That took place on Thursday, August 29 at Joliet Junior College. 

The kickoff event, which was held last year at Joliet West, featured short races for local grade schools Troy, Gompers, and St. Raymond’s were there, with the junior high students running a pair of races. One was .75 of a mile and the other one was 1.5 miles long. It was moved to JJC this season because of construction at Joliet West but went well with the community.

The high school race followed. But, although times were kept, it wasn't an official race. It was half the usual distance as it was just 1.5 miles. Plus, while Joliet West had both boys and girls teams there, only the Joliet Central girls ran. The Steelmen boys participated in Providence Catholic Celtic Conditioner, along with Joliet Catholic Academy, Marian Catholic, and the host school, the day before. 

"We were excited to have it here at JJC," Joliet West girls cross country coach Renae Batsch-Haaker said. "There was a hill on the course and the hills are nice. It was a good course.

"It's not an official race but more importantly gets the Joliet schools together. It was also good for the girls to get their legs underneath them."

Joliet Central junior Maddie King won the girls' race in a time of 8 minutes: 58.4 seconds. But the Joliet West girls’ followed with the next five finishers. They were freshman Erin Santerelli (2nd, 9:17.7), junior Briahna Klobnak (3rd, 9:51.1), along with sophomores Paola Gonzalez (4th, 9:56.4), sophomore Caitlin Podell (5th, 9:57.2), and Leah Blunk (6th, 10:08.7).

"The races are longer but I feel close with the team," Santerelli said of running high school cross country. "We've done a lot of team bonding and running together."

Klobnak is a veteran on the team and has big goals in mind.

"It's my third year on the team and we're hoping to make it to state this year or next year," she said. "That's the long-term goal. It's just pushing each other. We've got to take the risk out there. We've got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable."

Gonzalez echoed those thoughts.

"It's just pushing each other to take risks together," Gonzalez said of this season. "For me it's just reaching the goals and proving to myself that I'm capable of more. I ask, 'What's the best that can happen?'"

Podell will be pushing herself too.

"Just pounce on every opportunity," she said of the key to success. "We have 10 sophomores but I expect to have a very competitive team and all come together."

Being the only boys' team there, the Tigers ran against themselves on the JJC course.

The top times were sophomore Casey Koerner (8:01.4), senior Julian Esquivel (8:02.1), freshman Lucas Houlihan (8:02.3), junior Andres Pedroza Sanchez (8:18.2), and senior Elijah Zamoras (8:22.6).

"It felt good," Koerner said of getting out on the course. "We have returners from last year and we've been working hard. We're definitely improved. We want to get to the sectional as a team and we have a good shot."

Being a 4-year varsity veteran, Esquivel is looking forward to it too. He was glad to see Koerner win as the top three runners were all within a second of each other. 

"Today was really a team day," Esquivel said. "My goal was to stay with the pack and make sure we're doing our best. Casey is capable of this and I couldn't be happier for him."

Being a freshman, Houlihan is only a year older than some of the grade school kids that participated. 

"It's exciting because I get to compete at a higher level and push myself," Houilan said. "It was also pretty fun to see all the middle school runners and cheer them on having the experience."

Sanchez is happy to compete with the team. 

"This is my first year," he said of running cross country. "I like it. I just have to keep working hard and never give up. I like running and keep working."

Joliet West boys cross country coach Mike Brower is in his first year as head coach of the Tigers. But he brings a wealth of experience to the position. 

"I ran cross country at Sandburg for John O'Malley," said Brower, who graduated in 2015. "I've coached some of these guys and it's very exciting being around them. I've had great relationships with them. 

"I loved that the guys could be out there during the middle school race, encouraging them and high-fiving them. We're really excited to have Tony Kochen as an assistant coach. He's a great example of work, determination, and attention to detail."

Brower is in his sixth year as a math teacher at Joliet West. He knows there are challenges to the season but believes the Tigers are up to them.

"This is one of the biggest programs we've had here," he said. "We have 44 guys total and they're working hard and having fun.

"Our team hasn't advanced past the regional since 2015. But we know if we take care of what we have to take care of and not quit, that we will do well this year. We want to represent our families and school. We know that we're better together and we want to grow the program for the next few years."