by Phil Johnson

The Lady Gauchos’ competitive cross country and track teams have been ranked at the top of them, but senior Dominique Ratto has consistently been one of the team’s top runners since her freshman year. As one of members of the dominant teams, Dominique Ratto is one of the best distance runners in the SCL.
Ratto qualified for the NCS Meet of Champions in Berkeley in the 1600 meters where she qualified for the finals with a new personal record of 5:10.17. She has also excelled at the 800 meters this season, clocking a time of 2:22. Ratto also qualified for MOC her junior year in the 800 meters. She has competed at the NCS Meet of Champions in Berkeley for the past two years, running the 800 meters last year.
Senior standout runner Jacque Taylor leading the pack all four years may have taken Ratto out of the spotlight, but more importantly gave her someone to compete against.
“It’s good that we have Jacque on the team; it gives us all something to work towards, and high goals to set for ourselves,” Ratto said. “It gives me extra motivation to do better: more than I would have if I was the fastest.”
Ratto will run cross country and track next year at Sacramento State University and is excited about the prospect of improving.