Fillies, Graham rise to the top

Barrington's girls track team and Conant senior Toni Graham put on an encore performance at the 76th annual Palatine Relays on Saturday.

As a chilly west wind howled across Chic Anderson Field, the Fillies and Graham roared to some impressive marks.

Barrington won five events in capturing its third straight relay title with 129 points, followed by Palatine (112 points), Conant (60 points), and Hoffman Estates (51 points).

"The competition was great," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis of the 16-team field. "The weather dealt all of us a difficult hand, but you have to do what you have to do."

And Graham did what she had to do in breezing to victories in the 100 dash (12.0) and 200 dash (24.7). The Alabama-bound senior also anchored the winning the 400 relay (48.5) and 800 relay (1:41.8) in securing her second straight Gerald McElroy Award for the meet's most outstanding female athlete.

"I'm a pretty happy kid," said Graham, who hit a personal best in the 200. "It's senior year so we're looking to bring home some gold medals."

Barrington knows all about gold medals after securing the Class AA state title last year and the Fillies don't seem to be in any hurry to give up that title.

Starting with senior Molly Glantz, who came from behind in the 300 low hurdles, the opening event of the day, powering down the final 100 meters to secure the victory and set a school record (43.7).

Glantz also combined with Rebecca Tracy, Amanda Schnack, and Kayla Bingham to win the distance medley (12:37.3).

The senior finished her day by combining with Bingham, Mel Brindise, and Samantha Learch to bring home the victory in the 3,200 relay (9:33.5).

"We don't have anything to chase, we're already in front," said Glantz of defending the state title. "We just have to watch our backs, but we can do that. I think we're trying to prove to ourselves we're still Barrington and we can still do great things."

And that's what Barrington did, as Learch combined with Jayne Jaderholm, Amanda Schnack and Jorie Frey in leading the Fillies to a victory in the meet-ending 1,600 relay (4:03.3).

"I think as team we do better when we don't think or don't worry about anything," said Learch, who also finished an impressive second (2:15.9) to a state-best effort so far from Bloomington's Ashely Verplank (2:11.3). "I think we still have some things to work on, but it's coming."

Tracy added a victory in the 1,600 (5:16.6) for the Fillies, who are ready to strut their stuff.

"We know what we have, it's just getting a chance to prove it," added Tracy.

A young Palatine team is starting to prove that they too are a threat as the Pirates won four events in taking second.

"I was extremely happy with how we competed," said Palatine coach Steve Currins. "Today it was all about competing and not about fast times. I think the older kids are setting a tone and the younger ones are grabbing ahold of it."

And the youngster certainly did that as sophomores Ruth Allen and Angie Gonzalez combined with freshmen Meghan Flannagan and Sarah McIntosh to lead Palatine to a victory in the frosh/soph 1,600 medley relay (4:21.8).

Senior Jocelyn Kuksa then combined with sophomore Robin Anderson and freshmen Flannagan and Morgan Quinnett to lead the Pirates to a victory in the 400 high hurdle shuttle relay (1:07.2).

Kuksa also cleared 11 feet in a stiff wind to lead the Pirates to victory in the pole vault relay (19-6).

"We're real excited about the team coming together," said Kuksa, who took an early lead in the 300 low hurdles before finishing third.

And let's not forget about the powerful Palatine throwers. Junior Katie MacFabe had a breakout day, hitting 40-11 and leading the Pirates to second place in the shot put to Mahomet-Seymour and Danielle Bunch, who hit a meet record 48-10½.

MacFabe (129-06) then combined with Lauren Orris and Martha Shepard in setting a meet record and winning the discus relay (356-0).

"Everything was just kind of clicking for me today," said MacFabe of her throws. "It showed me a little bit more of my potential, which I wasn't sure I had."

Speaking of potential, the Conant sprint relays showed they have plenty.

Brianna Millar, Emily Quinones, Destiny Arps and Graham ran right through the wind in picking up a pair of comfortable victories in the 400 and 800 relays.

"We're taking it seriously and we know what we have to do," said Arps as the Cougars zero in on the state target.

"They are on a mission," said Conant coach Bob Borczak of his relay team and sprinting standout Graham. "They're running with a bit of an edge and I think we're ready."

Hoffman Estates' Altrese Hawkins also looks ready. The senior hit 17-4½ in the long jump, combining with Cindy Allen (15-11) and Brittany Phee (15.85) to secure first place for the Hawks in the jump relay.

"I'm focusing on my form and making sure I pop," said Hawkins, who is eyeing a state berth in the long jump. "I'm really excited but I'm just taking it one meet at a time."

Ashley Chervinko hit 41-6 in leading Hoffman to third place in the shot put relay.

Angela Tichelbaut (16-7) and Angie Bacci (17-5) combined to lead Wheeling to second place in the long jump relay.

"The wind was at our backs, which helped," added Bacci, who hit a career best. "I think we both work off each other."

Jamie Notaro hit 17-0 in the long jump, Ashley Ruff hit 35-1 in the triple jump, and Ashley Fullerton cleared 5-1 in the high jump to lead Fremd.

Sarah Ross cleared 11-0 in the pole vault to lead Jacobs to second place.

"Just had to cope with the environment today," said Ross, who has cleared a state best 11-9 in the pole vault. "Today was another learning step. I'm happy with the vaulting."