BHS's Learch runs as savvy veteran

Barrington's Samantha Learch picked a perfect time to run her best race.

Last year Barrington cruised through the regular season, and after winning the Mid-Suburban League cross country title and the Rolling Meadows regionals, the Fillies seemed primed for the state meet.

But Barrington hit a bump on the way to Class AA state finals, finishing second to Palatine at the Schaumburg sectional. It was kind of a crossroad for a talented Fillies squad.

"I think it was one of those things where they knew they were a good team, but they didn't realize how good they were," said Barrington coach Debbie Revolta. "They might have thought things were going to come easier for them. So when they got beat it was one of those eye-opening things."

"It was kind of an awakening," added Learch of the team's performance at the sectionals. "We had done so well all season, I think losing that meet was good for us. It brought us together."

Questions surrounded Barrington the week leading up to the state meet, but the Fillies had the answer.

"One of two things was going to happen," said Revolta of her team. "We were either going to bounce back and run well or they were done."

Needless to say the team bounced back in a big way. Learch earned her first all-state honors, taking 21st place at the AA state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria and leading Barrington to a second-place trophy.

"That was my best race," said Learch who ran the 3-mile course in 17:33. "Sometimes I think too much, I get caught up in all the other stuff. But at state I didn't worry about anything I just ran with my instincts."

Learch staked out her position in the first mile, pounding the second mile, then gutting out the third mile to pace the Fillies.

"I think state last year was one of her best races ever," added Revolta of Learch's performance. "She went out hard then battled the whole second mile. It was probably one of the first times I saw Sam kick at the end. She really laid it on the line there."

But that has been nothing new for Learch, as the four-year cross country runner has been doing that since she entered Barrington.

As a freshman, Learch was part of a squad that was living in the shadows of the 2003 Barrington state champion team. The Fillies finished seventh in the MSL that year and did not advance to state.

Sophomore year, Learch helped lead Barrington to a second-place finish in the MSL. She placed 47th at state as the Fillies finished in 16th as a team.

"Every year she has run a little bit better and improved," said Revolta of Learch's progress. "That's a credit to her."

It's even more amazing considering Learch is more of a sprinter than distance runner. Her times in track events are eye popping.

Learch has run a 12.0 in the 100-meter dash, a 25.0 in the 200 dash, and a 57.1 in the 400, a 2:12.44 in the 800 and a 5:21.3 in the 1,600.

She was a member of the 3,200 relay team that set a school record at the MSL track meet last spring, then that same relay team went on to win the state title.

Oh, by the way, her track team also captured the state championship last spring.

"Sam's versatility as an athlete is incredible," said Barrington track coach Jody Gitelis. "She is competitive in the 100 through the 1,600 on the track. Sam possesses a unique combination of raw speed and endurance."

Learch has won three state medals in track for the 3,200 relay (state champions 2007 and sixth place 2005) and sixth place in the 800 (2006). Her range of ability has her coaches even searching for words.

"You don't see that," added Revolta. "For her to be able to run a low 12.0 in the 100 consistently, then run an 800 in 2:14, and then a 3-mile in 17:00 … it's really unique."

Learch admits there is a big difference between the sprints and the distance.

"It's all mental in cross country," added the senior. "You're running a lot longer so you're much more aware of how your feeling, the weather, and all the little things.

"Sprinting is just so fast, you don't even know if you pull a muscle."

While sprinting has come naturally for the talented senior, distance running has been a work in progress.

"I think of myself as being a sprinter or a mid-distance runner," added Learch. "Mentally I've grown a lot learning to cope with the distance, coping with whatever pain comes to you."

And now Learch is set to lead the Fillies on their quest for another state trophy.

"We always knew she was a good sprinter," added Revolta. "And she's opened up to running more of the distances. Now that she's learned that, I think she going to do even better."

Defending state champion Hinsdale Central, Mother McCauley, Palatine, Lockport and Naperville North will all be waiting for Barrington.

But the Fillies and Learch can rely on the experience they gained last season.

"Experience comes with age," added Learch. "So I think we'll be prepared for it. Being a senior I know myself, so I know what my body can do, so I'll be prepared for it."

The Fillies and Learch have definitely come of age.