In Mid-Suburban League meet, Barrington reigns

Barrington's girls track team wanted to put on a show on Friday night for its home crowd at the 43rd annual Mid-Suburban League meet.

And the host Fillies did just that - eventually.

Despite a 75-minute weather delay that pushed back the start of the meet and a persistent rain the pelted the track from start to finish, Barrington thundered to its second consecutive MSL title with 201.5 points.

Palatine took second with 157.5 points followed by Prospect (128), Fremd (84.5), Hoffman Estates (65.5) and Wheeling (61).

"I'm very happy with the total team effort," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis, whose program won its seventh overall MSL title. "Under some adverse conditions the girls really hung tough."

Barrington was strong from start to finish winning seven events, including three relays.

Senior Nina Hodges gave the Fillies a huge lift by winning the 100 (12.46) and 200 (25.32). She also was part of the winning 400 relay (48.60) and 800 relay (1:42.68).

"I thought it was going to be tough," said Hodges of the harsh conditions, "but after the first race I started to get used to the weather. "We have been working really hard in practice and I think it came together tonight."

Sophomore Kelsey McLaurin also had a memorable night. She was part of the 400 relay and 800 relay, and she also anchored the Fillies' 1,600 relay to a meet-ending victory. In between, the sophomore secured a triple jump title.

"All the hard work is paying off," said McLaurin. "It was special to win in front of the home crowd and I think we have a lot left to show."

Sophomore Addi Coy added a victory in the 400 (57.86) to bolster the Fillies' attack.

Junior Kelly O'Brien gave Palatine a huge lift by winning both the 800 (1:42.68) and the 1,600.

Senior Caitlin Riedy also had a big impact for the Pirates with a victory in the 300 low hurdles (45.99).

Junior Maya Mason paced Prospect by taking first in the 100 high hurdles (15.38), with sophomore Brooke Wilson adding a first place for the Knights in the 3,200 (10:47.42).

Fremd's 3,200 relay took first in an impressive 9:19.66.

Hersey's Kelly Hill won her fourth consecutive pole vault title (10-6), with Venus Jones adding a victory in the discus (117-02).