Fillies expect dominance to continue

Barrington's girls swim team is on a pretty impressive roll.

The Fillies have finished in the top 10 at state for three consecutive years, including a runnerup finish in 2006.

Barrington has also won 16 straight Mid-Suburban League titles.

Last year the Fillies took seventh at the state meet, scoring points in the 200 medley relay (fifth), 200 free relay (eighth), and the 400 free relay (12th).

Individually senior Kim Steelman took eighth in the 100 free and junior Emily Fogle took second in the 100 breaststroke and 12th in the 50 freestyle at last year's state meet.

Despite the fact that Barrington's numbers may be down, the cupboard is not exactly bare.

Joining Steelman and Fogle are state qualifiers junior Victoria Waring (200 medley relay), senior Amy Madden (diving) and senior Maureen Doyle (diving).

"We have some good returning talent," said Barrington coach Jim Bart of his five state qualifiers. "We are looking for big things out of those five - however we still have holes to fill."

This will be the smallest Barrington team in Bart's 23 years, but the Fillies are not looking to back down.

"It's going to be harder because our returning state qualifiers are kind of slimmer than years past," added Steelman, who also was a member of the three medal-winning relays last year. "But it's a great mesh of girls; everybody knows their place and what their job is."

"Since our team is so slim, toward the end of the year spots will spread out," added Fogle who has finished second in the breaststroke two straight years. "By sectionals it will kick in, I feel it will be a strong team."

Flexibility will be a key component of the Fillies teams, as the swimmers may be asked to do more with less.

"We have a lot of variety in our swimmers," added Waring, "we have some swimmers that can do one event really well - then we have others that can do everything pretty well. We'll just try and see what works best for us."

"My entire four years of high school I have not swam the same event twice at the state meet except for the relays," added Steelman. "So people realize you may be a freestyler or 50 sprinter, but you may be in other events."

Leadership will also be key for the Fillies and Madden and Doyle will supply that in diving.

"Last year our goal was just to get to state," said Madden of her first state trip. "This year I know all the hard work you have to do to get there, I just want to continue that."

"Last year all focus was on making it to state," added Doyle. "In a way there will be less pressure this year because I know I have the ability to get there, I just have to concentrate."

Bart is also looking for contributions from seniors Jill Nagel and Chelsea Simon, sophomores Jacqueline Holdsberg and Ann Jacobsen and freshman Erika Elliot.

"There will be more opportunities," added Bart, "Everyone has a chance to contribute. I'm very excited about what we're doing. The kids are working hard and the attitude is great.

"They realize there are some holes to fill, and people need to step up to get it done - so far they've been doing it."

Look for the Fillies to keep rolling.