FOLSOM, Calif. – After a week delay and another challenging week dealing with the poor air conditions, the St. Francis cross country team won their third consecutive title Saturday morning at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships. The Troubadours scored 27 points, placing their top five among the top 10 to out-score Whitney (68) and Rio Americano (106) in the Division II race.
"It is surreal," said Head Coach Aaron Rios. "It is something we have talked about. You never know until you race and you see the final results. It was a lot of hard work we put into it."
St. Francis won its 12th overall section title, winning their third straight for the second time after winning three in a row from 1989-91.
The championships were originally scheduled for Nov. 10 but were postponed one week. The sub-varsity races were also canceled due to the poor air conditions with only the varsity competing on Saturday.
"The girls and the parents have been remarkable over the last week and a half," said Rios. "There has a lot of sacrificing and adjusting with the last minute planning on where we were going to train. They put it all together – the physical, mental and spiritual."
St. Francis was led by junior Izzy Fauria, who won the individual title. She is the school's third individual section champion, joining Kolleen Kassis (1987) and Cybelle McFadden (1990, 1991).
"For her to go out there and build confidence over the season after missing a year and half, it was something she had as a goal," said Rios. "She kept working and grinding. For her to win today along with a team section title is phenomenal."
Fauria had to weave through the Division 1 field that started first, running from the lead. She posted a time of 18:44.
"We came to the race not knowing if we were going to run," said Fauria. "Being able to run today was great. It was motivating to be able to pass some girls. It is good to know all of our work paid off."
Freshman Cate Joaquin was third overall in the field of 78 runners among the 10 teams. She crossed the line in 18:58.
"I thought my race today was pretty good," said Joaquin. "It went really well and to have the team do so well added on to that."
Senior Sophie DeBenedetti was the third runner for the team, placing sixth overall and fifth among scoring runners in 19:32.
"Cate and all the girls rallied behind Izzy," said Rios. "No matter the circumstances, we are going to pull together as a team with one heart, one spirit, one team."
Junior Haley Silva placed 10th in 19:53, while freshman Emily Castles was 12th (10th among scorers) in 20:02. Freshman Tatiana Cornejo posted a time of 20:21 to finish 19th overall and Hanna Hekkanen was 28th (20:53).
St. Francis advances to the CIF State Championships for the eighth consecutive season.
"It feels amazing and I am really proud of this team," said Silva. "It is really exciting to go race at state and show them we have."
The Troubadours will run for a state title on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Woodward Park at 10 a.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and children.
"We want the girls running outdoors," said Rios of prep this week. "But more important it is the confidence and metal focus leading into the state meet to prove everything they have done over the last six months has been worth it."
St. Francis All-Time Individual Section Champions
1987 Kolleen Kassis
1990 Cybelle McFadden
1991 Cybelle McFadden
2018 Izzy Fauria
Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Team Results
1. St. Francis 27; 2. Whitney 68; 3. Rio Americano 106; 4. Vacaville 138; 5. Woodcreek 1421; 6. Granite Bay 153; 7. Ponderosa 172; 8. Rocklin 201; 9. Elk Grove 208; 10. Oakmont 244.
St. Francis Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Individual Results
1. Isabella Fauria 18:44.4
3. Cate Joaquin 18:58.7
6. Sophie DeBenedetti 19:32.7
10. Haley Silva 19:53.2
12. Emily Castles 20:02.9
19. Tatiana Cornejo 20:21.1
28. Hanna Hekkanen 20:53.6
