Conant: A team of Destiny
Conant's first girls track trophy was special in more ways than one for Cougars coach Bob Borczak.
Conant tied Batavia for third at the Class AA girls track meet at Eastern Illinois last weekend, giving the Cougars their highest finish.
It goes a little deeper for Borczak, a 1975 Conant graduate.
"It's a big thing," said Borczak, whose team missed a trophy by 1 point in 2007. "It's for my school, retiring athletic director Washington Bush, former coach Ron Gummerson, and for all the people that have been a part of this program."
Borczak knew he had talent especially with senior sprint stars Destiny Arps, Toni Graham, Brianna Millar and Quinones and leading the way.
The four seniors led Conant to a second-place medal and a school record in the 400 relay (46.47).
Those same girls then capped a special season by taking first in the 800 relay (1:38.96).
Mary Ann Johnson took first in the shot put in 1974 and '75, and Stephanie Benight added first in the discus in 2002 for Conant, but the Cougars had never captured a gold medal on the track until Saturday.
"We wanted the gold, so we tried our best to go out and get it," said Arps.
Graham capped her brilliant career by adding two second-place medals in the 100 and 200 dash. In the process Graham and her teammates changed the thinking on what a suburban sprint squad could do.
The Cougars medaled in the 400 relay four straight years and took their second consecutive medal in the 800 relay.
"Being from the suburbs we get a lot of slack," said Graham. "We have to earn what we get and I think we did that today."
Millar, Quinones, Arps and Graham made for a perfect combination the past two years, and the four definitely clicked last weekend.
"We've worked really hard for this," added Millar, "I can't think of a better way to end our senior year."
Return to glory: Last year Barrington won the state championship even with key member Samantha Learch at less than full strength.
Learch entered last year's state meet limited by a calf injury which forced her to drop out of the 1,600 relay.
This year Learch came into the state meet at full strength, and it showed.
She was a part of the 3,200 relay title that set a state record, she took seventh in the 400, and the senior finished her day by anchoring the 1,600 relay that took third place and secured the Fillies the second-place team trophy.
Quite a turnaround for Learch, considering she was also hampered during the cross country season with an iron deficiency.
"Last year was a little bit upsetting because I wasn't at my best," said Learch of her injury. "But this year to be healthy and have everything come together … it's a great way to finish."
Flying marks for Etherington: One of the unsung heroes for Barrington was pole vaulter Anna Etherington. The sophomore hit a school record and career-best, clearing 11-0 and earning a fifth-place medal for the Fillies.
Barrington coach Jody Gitelis gave credit to pole-vaulting coach Mitch Beck for Etherington's improvement.
Knights earn 2-mile mark: For the second consecutive year, Prospect set a school record and won a state medal in the 3,200 relay (9:11.48).
The Knights won their third consecutive medal and sixth overall in the 2-mile relay.
Lucy Taylor, Claire Hollis, Amy Abdnor and Emily Stalzman combined to lead the Knights for the second straight year, but the state meet marked the first time the group had ran together this season.
Abdnor ran the pivotal third leg, lifting the Knights into second place.
"I was feeling really confident before the race," said Abdnor, "I just knew it was now or never.
Back in business: When it comes to girls track, Schaumburg has solid record. But the Saxon have been in a bit of a drought lately not having won a medal since Laura Pearson finished ninth in the 1,600 in 2003.
That should all change next year.
A strong freshman class gained valuable experience this year and they should continue to grow next year.
Freshman Karen Lesiewicz will lead the charge. She just missed medaling in the 800 (2:16.34) in Saturday's finals, but the freshman did set a school record.
"Hopefully this will prepare me for the future," said Lesiewicz of her finals appearance. "It's an honor to be a part of this team, just to be a part of something so big, even a small part is amazing."
Upcoming events: The 10th Annual Senior All-Star Meet at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls will be held June 7.
Any seniors interested in participating can obtain information on the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Web site at www.itccca.com .
The 2008 multi-event state championship will be held on May 30 and 31 at Bolingbrook High School. Those interested in participating can obtain information at www.dyestat.com (go to the Illinois track and field section) or e-mail Bob Geiger at geiger@illinoispreptoptimes.com.