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Girls swimming: Big gains for Barrington

Barrington's girls swimming and diving program lost a tremendous competitor when four-year freestyle standout Kirsten Jacobsen graduated after last school year.

But oh, what the Fillies have gained.

Showcasing a deep and complete lineup against visiting Fremd on Thursday, Barrington left no doubt about who's the top team in the Mid-Suburban League with a 129-57 dual meet victory.

The Fillies won every swimming event except the 200 free relay and had multiple 1-2 finishes. In the 100-yard butterfly, Barrington came up with a 1-2-3-4 effort. True, that fourth-place finish didn't count toward the team score, but it underscores just how deep Barrington's lineup is.

"I think we were all a little nervous heading into this year, just because when you lose someone like Kirsten you know it's going to have an effect," said junior Emma Graves, the top Fillies finisher in the butterfly. "But then so many of our younger swimmers have been stepping up, and I think now we're feeling pretty confident."

Among a big group of emerging Barrington talents are freshman Becca Galovich, who had winning performances in both the 200 and 500 freestyles, and sophomore Ally Penrod, tops in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.

A pair of key members from last year's conference-winning team were also instrumental, as junior Maggie Emary claimed the 100 back and sophomore Bridget O'Leary won the 50 and 100 freestyles. Barrington has yet to lose this season.

"We're getting great contributions from our younger kids," said Barrington coach Jim Bart. "I've got a group that's really having fun swimming together - they're good listeners, and they're working hard.

"You take a kid like Galovich . . . 1:56 in the 200 and 5:13 in the 500? Not bad for a freshman."

The outcome was not unexpected, but that did not stop some Fremd seniors from presenting Bart with a card expressing their gratefulness for his contributions to MSL swimming. Bart is calling this his last season as Barrington's head coach.

"Most of our seed times for the conference and even sectional meets have come from this dual meet, against Barrington," said Fremd coach Andrew Kittrell. "That's because of Jim and the kind of teams he's had. They always have brought out the best in us."

There was plenty of good on this night for Fremd - especially in the case of sophomore Emily Bolger. She had terrific efforts in both the 200 free and 100 free, along with a leg on the winning 200 free relay and her best 100 clocking yet on the leadoff leg of the 400 free relay.

"In her case, there's always been plenty of in-water ability and she's been great on deck with the team," Kittrell said. "And now we're starting to see her get more comfortable with the performance part of the sport - about being that person that can come up with a big performance in the spotlight."

Fremd freshman Sophia Kuehn had a strong runner-up finish in the 100 back as well, and Kittrell was pleased with a handful of strong performances in the second half of the meet - including that victory in the 200 free relay.

Palatine d. Schaumburg: The host Pirates used 1-2-3 sweeps in the 200 freestyle, the 500 freestyle and diving to earn a 100-71 victory.

Megan Obernesser, Molly Kleinfeldt and Steele Rehberger went 1-2-3 in the 200 free, and Obernesser, Olivia Jarzab and Rehberger repeated the feat in the 500. In diving, Sydney Aikman (179.65) led teammates Julia Hanson and Clarissa Domanus.

Other winners for Palatine included Ellis Nelson (100 fly, 100 breast), Katelyn Kurrie (50 free) and Jane Smith (100 free).

Schaumburg claimed victories from Hana Mollin in 200 IM (2:12.74) and Ingrid Hay in the 100 back (1:04.56).

Elk Grove d. Wheeling: The host Grens got wins from Kate Duffy in both the 200 and 500 freestyles along with a terrific diving score from Anna Sprenger (230.15) in earning a 98-83 victory.

Wheeling's Meghan Hergert was tops in both the 100 fly and the 50 free.

  Fremd's Rebecca Ballo swims breaststroke in the 200-yard medley relay during Thursday's girls swimming meet at Barrington. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Barrington's Becca Galovich swims the 200-yard freestyle during Thursday's girls swimming home meet with Fremd. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Fremd's Emily Bolger swims the 200-yard freestyle during Thursday's girls swimming meet at Barrington. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Barrington's Maggie Emary swims butterfly during the 200-yard individual medley during Thursday's girls home swimming meet with Fremd. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Fremd's Sophia Kuehn swims breaststroke in the 200-yard individual medley during Thursday's girls swimming meet at Barrington. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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