Senior pitcher Gianna Certa has never lost a regular season conference game during her time with the Illinois Wesleyan Titans Women’s Softball team, according to a May 6 announcement. Certa, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over ten years ago, has managed her condition while competing at the NCAA Division III level.
Her experience highlights the challenges faced by student-athletes managing chronic health conditions. The Illinois Wesleyan Titans Women’s Softball program competes in intercollegiate athletics as part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and hosts its games at Inspiration Field in Bloomington, Illinois, according to the official website.
“Throughout my ten years of having diabetes, I have had to learn to manage multiple aspects of my health while competing at a high level,” said Certa. “It has taught me mental toughness, resilience, and to never take for granted the opportunities I have been given.” Her father Chris Certa added: “There are nights when her Dexcom alarms go off at 1 a.m. with her blood sugar in the 60s or even the 50s, and I’m texting or calling her to make sure she’s up taking care of it. That’s the part most people never see — the constant, invisible work she has to do just to stay healthy enough to compete. She’s carried that burden for four years without ever asking for attention or sympathy.”
Certa finished her collegiate career undefeated in regular season conference play with a record matching her jersey number—23 wins—and received two Pitcher of the Year awards from the conference. She said: “Since diabetes has affected my athletic career, any little thing can affect my blood sugar and my body. Having to constantly quietly fight these battles behind the scenes may go unnoticed, but it is truly a core part of who I have become and the accomplishments I have achieved.” The program participates in intercollegiate athletics as part of both NCAA Division III and its conference affiliation, according to their official website.
The Titans have hosted every College Conference tournament during Certa’s four-year tenure on campus. As they aim for another league championship on their home field this season with Certa leading from within the circle,according to Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics, both teammates and supporters recognize not only athletic achievements but also perseverance through personal challenges.
