Barrington proves it again

Barrington's Molly Glantz and Samantha Learch have little left to prove.

The two seniors have definitely left their marks on the track for the defending state champion Fillies.

But the pair is not quite finished, and at the 37th annual Mid-Suburban League meet, Glantz and Learch proved it all night once again in leading Barrington to its third consecutive title at Hersey in Arlington Heights.

The meet was interrupted for 54 minutes midway through due to a weather delay, but there was no stopping the Fillies.

Barrington won its fifth overall MSL title with 147 points, followed by Palatine (118), Conant (89 points), Prospect (77 points), and Hoffman Estates (64 points).

Glantz won her fourth consecutive 300 low hurdles title (44.8) and Learch took first in the 400 (57.10). The two then combined with Jayne Jaderholm and Jorie Frey in leading the Fillies to a victory and a meet record in the meet-ending 1,600 relay (3:57.4).

"It doesn't happen very often when you can win conference three out of your four years," said Glantz, who also took second in the 100 low hurdles (14.8) and 800 run (2:15). "It's been about proving ourselves our entire four years, that's the best way to run having something to fight for and prove."

And Barrington proved it from the beginning, as Learch combined with Rebecca Tracy, Kayla Bingham, and Melissa Brindise in leading the Fillies to a victory in the 3,200 relay (9:16.4).

"Today at conference we all had a common goal and came out and did our best," added Learch, who also took third in the 100 (12.10).

Tracy seemed like she had point to prove in dominating the 1,600 (4:59.8). The junior took control of the race with 2 laps remaining, then displayed a devastating finishing kick in setting a school record.

"I knew I had to kick," said Tracy of her sub-5:00 mile. "Scoring points for the team came first, and time came second, but they both came together today."

Jaderholm, Frey, Sarah Bach, and Jenny Schnack added a victory for the Fillies in the 800 relay (1:44.6) and Anne Etherington set a school record in taking second in the pole vault (11-0).

"We're not the team we were last year -- this is a brand new team," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis, whose Fillies won the MSL by a larger margin last year. "This year we have to battle in every single event, and the girls did that tonight."

Proving once again why they are the champs.

But Palatine gave Barrington a good chase, with Jocelyn Kuksa taking first and setting a meet record in the pole vault (11-9) and adding a victory in the 100 high hurdles (14.7).

"We tried our hardest," added Kuksa, who also took second in the 300 low hurdles (45.0). "But I think they (Barrington) help us grow every time we go against them."

The Pirates went 1-2 in the discus as Lauren Orris set a meet record (138-0) and Katie MacFabe (133-9) took second.

"Warm-ups went really well," said Orris, who hit the winning mark on her first attempt. "I think it's coming. I'm peaking at the right time."

Martha Shepard added a victory for the Pirates in the shot put (42-05½).

"We had good night," said Palatine coach Steve Currins, whose team took second in the 3,200 relay (9:20.20). "Barrington had a great night and their experience came through."

Conant's Toni Graham showed her experience in winning and setting a meet record in the 100 (11.80) and then the senior combined with Brianna Millar, Emily Quinones, and Destiny Arps in winning and setting a meet record in the 400 relay (47.40).

"I wanted the record in the 100 all to myself, so I went for it," said Graham who went into the meet with a share of the record. "We all ran really well."

Millar (25.5) and Arps (25.5) went 1-2 in the 200 for the Cougars.

Prospect's Lucy Taylor set a school record in winning the 800 (2:14.7). The senior took control of the race with 300 meters remaining, then held off a late charge by Barrington's Glantz to secure the title.

"I was kind of hesitant," said Taylor of taking the lead. "But it wasn't the time to pace myself. If I didn't go, I would ruin the race for myself."

Senior Victoria Miktsa took first in the high jump (5-4) and senior Altrese Hawkins added a victory in the long jump (16-11) to lead Hoffman Estates.

Wheeling's Amber Stack led from start to finish in securing her second straight conference victory in the 3,200 (11:17.6).

Fremd's Ashley Ruff took first in the triple jump (35-03).