Girls track: Barrington's all-around effort leads to 8th MSL crown

Barrington's girls track team was solid from start to finish on Friday night in the Mid-Suburban League championship meet.

Freshman Molly Fitzpatrick got things rolling for Barrington, and senior Jocelyn Long closed the door as the Fillies won their eighth MSL title with 134 points.

"Points were coming from everywhere," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis. "These kids stepped up big time and came through in the clutch."

Fitzpatrick (10:53.31) and freshman Anne Berquist (11:32.32) gave the Fillies a nice jolt to start the meet by going 1-2 in the 3,200. Long (5:00.95) and sophomore Alyssa Norris (5:11.39) then closed the door by finishing 1-2 in the 1,600.

"It's really incredible," said Long, who took second in the 800 (2:14.37) and also aided the Fillies' second-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:26.84). "We've been working so hard the whole season, so it was good to get the title."

"We knew coming in it was going to be very competitive," said Fitzpatrick, a key to the Fillies' second-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:03.69). "We went out there with no expectations and ran for our teammates. It feels great to win."

Two-time defending champion Prospect took second with 107.5 points, followed by Wheeling (105.5 points), Palatine (102 points) and Hersey (49 points).

Freshman Olivia Helmer (1:00.01) added to the Fillies' attack by taking second in the 400 with senior Nicole Barcroft contributing a second-place finish in pole vault (10-3).

Senior Annie Walsh, junior Grace LaCamera, Natalie Kowalczuk and Erin Sherwood combined to lead Prospect to a victory in the 800 relay (1:44.70). Samantha Berman joined Walsh, LaCamera and Kowalczuk to help the Knights win the 400 relay (49.22).

"We've been focusing on our handoffs and it has been really fun," said Walsh. "We all did our best tonight."

Junior Alexis Knight won her third consecutive 400 (57.47) conference title for Wheeling. Other major contributors for the Wildcats were Nicole Nguyen winning in the long jump (17-9) and Nosa Igiehon taking first place finish in the triple jump (35-2).

"I felt pretty good and felt really strong in the 400," said Knight, who placed second in the long jump (17-2.5), second in the 200 (25.40) and had a second-place finish with her 400 relay team (49.63). "It was a good night."

Junior Erin Oleksak helped pace Palatine with three individual wins - in the 100 high hurdles (15.13), the 300 low hurdles (45.74) and the high jump (5-4).

"I have been running with a lot of confidence," said Oleksak.

Junior Jess Streepy added a first-place finish for the Pirates in the pole vault (10-9).

Schaumburg senior Maddie Marasco had a big night, taking first in the 800 (2:11.53) and combining with Maggie Centano, Rachel Vaccaro and Lauren Kubinski to win the 3,200 relay (9:17.36).

Marasco also keyed the Saxons' victory in the 1,600 relay (4:02.73).

"I just wanted to come out and compete today," she said. "I was happy with every race."

Buffalo Grove senior Nya Carr won her third MSL title in the 100 dash (12.24) and then came back to add a victory in the 200 (25.14).

"I was aiming for some good times and the competition really helps to get those times," said Carr. "I am working hard to stay up there and pushing myself."

Hersey's Barbara Rydzewski took first in the discus (126-0), while Hoffman Estates' Makiyha Blackwell came up with a win in the shot put (39-10.5).