Montini Catholic congratulated four athletically accomplished seniors on Monday, May 11th at their annual Athletic Awards Night.  Each year the Montini Catholic Athletic Department and program head coaches nominate and select gold and silver medalists to be honored as Athletes of the Year.  "These students represent the highest ideals of excellence, perseverance and teamwork and have inspired future generations of Bronco athletes to strive to achieve their own dreams," said Lindsay Bava Leeberg '06 and Montini's 2006 Female Athlete of the Year.  (Also presenting the medals was Mike Mucha '05, Montini's Male Athlete of the Year in 2005.)

 

The Female Silver Medal was presented to volleyball standout, Francesca Lorenzo, an outside hitter and consistent all-around force for the Broncos throughout her career at Montini. During her senior season, Lorenzo earned All-Tournament honors with exceptional performances at the Metea Valley Tournament and O'Fallon Tournament. She finished the year with a team-leading 240 kills, helping guide Montini to its second consecutive Illinois High School Association Regional Championship. Her outstanding play also earned her All-Conference, All-Area, and All-State honors.

 

Robert Sansone took home the Male Silver Medal for Athlete of the Year.   Sansone has established himself as one of Montini's most accomplished and competitive student-athletes. A two-year varsity starter in basketball and a standout presence on the baseball field, he has consistently demonstrated toughness, leadership, and determination throughout his athletic career.  On the basketball court, he emerged as the Broncos’ go-to player in key moments, averaging 19 points per game and helping lead the team to double-digit victories this season. His outstanding play earned him a place in school history as the first two-time All-Chicago Catholic League selection, while also receiving Special Mention honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team.  In baseball, Robert has continued to excel on the mound, compiling a perfect 5-0 record as a starting pitcher this season. He currently carries an impressive 1.85 ERA and 0.85 WHIP, further showcasing his consistency and impact as a competitor for the Broncos.

 

Sydney Gertsen earned the Female Gold Medal.  "In the 60-year history of athletics at Montini Catholic High School, few student-athletes have achieved the level of excellence and success of this year’s Female Athlete of the Year," said Leeberg.   A standout in both cross country and track & field, ​S​ydney made an immediate impact as a freshman and has competed at the varsity level with remarkable consistency ever since. Throughout her career, she has qualified for the Illinois High School Association State Finals every season in both sports, earning All-State honors each year as a Bronco.

In track & field, she is a three-time state qualifier and All-State performer in the 3200-meter run, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at last season’s IHSA State Finals. Entering the 2026 State Finals, she currently ranks second in Illinois in both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs, solidifying her place among the state’s elite distance runners​.  ​S​ydney's accomplishments in cross country have been equally extraordinary. Across four consecutive appearances at the IHSA State Finals, she finished 21st as a freshman, 8th as a sophomore, and 6th as a junior before delivering a historic senior season performance. This past fall, she erased a deficit of more than 25 seconds, overtaking the race leader in the final eighth of a mile to capture the Class 2A Cross Country State Championship ​- becoming the first female individual state champion in Montini Catholic history.​ 

"​S​ydney's legacy will forever be part of the record books at both Montini Catholic and the IHSA, and later this summer she will represent the Broncos on the national stage at the High School Nationals in Philadelphia​," added Leeberg.

Santino Tenuta was thrilled to hear his name announced as Montini's Male Gold Medalist for Athlete of the Year.  "To fully appreciate the impact of this year’s Male Athlete of the Year, it helps to understand the level of commitment he brought to his senior season," said Mucha.  "Between summer camps, daily practices, postseason runs, and out-of-state competitions, Santino spent nearly the entire year competing at the highest level across three sports."