Kishwaukee College seemed like a really good option and it has good benefits… I’m looking forward to meeting my new team and having new players around me. I’m excited about that.”

Kara Martinez

ROCHELLE — Rochelle senior Kara Martinez has been a multi-sport athlete throughout her four years in high school, competing in three sports including tennis, basketball and soccer while earning varsity roles with all three teams. Martinez intends on remaining a multi-sport athlete at the collegiate level after signing to play basketball and soccer at Kishwaukee College.

“It’s close to home and I’ve wanted to start at a community college for a while,” Martinez said. “Kishwaukee College seemed like a really good option and it has good benefits… I’m looking forward to meeting my new team and having new players around me. I’m excited about that.”

Martinez played four years of basketball at Rochelle, with two years coming at the varsity level. The senior guard was an Academic All-Conference honoree as well as an All-Conference Honorable Mention in the Interstate 8 during her senior season, averaging 6.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Martinez helped lead the Lady Hubs to a 13-18 overall record and a win over the Plano Reapers in the IHSA 3A Regional tournament at RTHS.

“This year was where I improved the most as a player,” Martinez said. “Even though I had an injury, I grew a lot from last summer to now and I thought this was the best season I had in all four years. The coaches helped me a lot this year and my skills became a lot better… Our 6 a.m. practices over the summer really helped me and there were no excuses for us. We always had to try and give 100 percent and those are things that players in college want to do.”

Martinez also played four years of soccer at Rochelle, spending all four years with the varsity team. The senior forward was an Academic All-Conference winner and an All-Conference Honorable Mention in the Interstate 8 during her junior season, where she scored six goals and added five assists. Martinez recorded two goals and two assists as a sophomore in 2022, when the Lady Hubs reached double figures in wins and enjoyed their best record in over a decade.

“There was a big change between my freshman year and my sophomore year because our team improved tremendously,” Martinez said. “Our team has grown a lot and we have a lot more potential now, but my sophomore year was when we realized that Rochelle can compete. Coach [Male] has us run a lot and that’s something that will prepare me for college. He also expects the most out of me and I think that’s something that my college coach will expect too.”

Martinez played two years of varsity tennis at Rochelle, receiving Academic All-Conference recognition during both seasons. Martinez said she intends to study business while at Kishwaukee College before continuing her education and her athletics at a four-year school.

“Kara was a huge part of our team,” RTHS girls basketball coach Jon Gehm said. “She was a vocal leader for us throughout the season and set the tone for us at the beginning. After returning from an early ankle injury, she really injected a lot of energy into the team and provided shooting and playmaking for us. She put constant pressure on the opponent and had some huge games for us. Her offensive skill set was key for us all season. She also stepped up defensively for us.”