Barrington 'comes through in fine fashion'

Barrington is right on schedule.

With the calendar flipping to November, the Fillies have flipped their switch and sprung into action.

The Fillies won seven of the 11 swimming events, including a sweep in the relays, en route to an unprecedented 17th consecutive Mid-Suburban League title with 302 points on Saturday in Barrington.

"We had a bit of adversity throughout the season," said Barrington coach Jim Bart, "but the kids have come through in fine fashion. Maybe we're rallying together. We keep moving forward."

Fremd (184 points) took second, followed by Schaumburg (143 points). Wheeling (129 points) nipped Prospect (127 points) and Palatine (127 points) for fourth place.

But the Fillies dominated the meet from start to finish.

Junior Emily Fogle (2:07.72) got things rolling by setting an MSL record in winning the 200 IM, finishing ahead of Buffalo Grove senior Erin Rodriguez (2:08.29) in a classic battle.

"I knew I had to pick it up in the breaststroke," said Fogle, who trailed Rodriguez after the first two legs but used a dominating breaststroke to take command. "I could see Rodriguez coming up in the freestyle (final leg), so I knew I had to turn it on."

Fogle then turned it on again and barely missed setting a record in winning the 100 breaststroke (1:03.74).

The junior was joined by senior Kimmy Steelman, who won both the 50 free (24.69) and 100 free (53.77) in the Fillies' assault.

"We all have our individual goals and we definitely have team goals," Steelman said. "That's to keep winning conference and holding the MSL championship title."

Fogle and Steelman combined with Jacqueline Holdsberg and Anne Jacobsen to win the opening 200 medley relay (1:48.94).

The combo of Fogle and Steelman were at it again, joining Jacobsen and Victoria Waring to take the 200 free relay (1:40.26).

"This is a start to the new season, the start of championship season," Steelman said. "We want to erase everything that happened in the past and start new."

The Fillies' Holdsberg and Waring combined with Andi Leesley and Erika Elliot to take first in the meet-ending 400 free relay (3:46.58).

"We swam aggressive throughout the meet," said Bart, whose Fillies picked up four second-places and two thirds. "The kids didn't back down."

Senior Kelli Dicanio took second in the 100 breast (1:08.52) for Fremd. Sophomore Megan Kennedy added a third for the Vikings in the 500 free (5:26.31).

"We're still working really hard, so I expected to go 1:08," said Dicanio of her breaststroke. "We still haven't started tapering so I expect that time to drop."

Schaumburg sophomore Sammy Schuckles just missed going under a minute in winning the 100 back (1:00.31). The sophomore was also second in the 50 free (25.25) and was part of the Saxons' second-place 200 free relay (1:43.60) and third-place 200 medley relay (1:56.52).

"I knew I had to sprint the first 50, then hold on the second 50," said Schuckles of her win the 100 back. "I was hoping to break the record and go under a minute, but now that I won I'm pretty happy about that."

Senior Amanda Creevy added a second for the Saxons in the 100 free (55.95).

Wheeling senior Marissa Reeve made a strong move at the midpoint to win the 500 free (5:19.52).

"As soon as I dove in I was kind of like 'it's my race I know I can do it,'" said Reeve, who also took third in the 200 free (2:01.86) and was part of the third-place finish in the 400 free relay (3:51.85). "You have to stay positive the whole way. You can't give up at all."

Senior Liseli Baich added a third the Wildcats in the 100 free (55.96).

Meg Dix, Kelly Wilson, Michelle Schueler, and Molly Nordyke combined to power Prospect to third in the 200 free relay 1:44.17, as the Knights finished fifth.

Sophomore Monica Dorszewski took first in the 200 free (1:57.36) and added a third in the 100 breast (1:08.71), as Palatine was fifth.

"I knew I had a chance of winning," said Dorszewski who surged in the third 50 to defeat Elliot of Barrington. "She was a half of body length in front, so I knew I had to turn it up."

Freshman Nicole Huffman added a third for the Pirates in the 100 fly (1:01.67).

BG's Rodriguez won the 100 fly (59.16) in addition to her second in the 200 IM. Rodriguez was also part of BG's second-place finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:55.88) and 400 relay (3:51.25), as the Bison were seventh.

"It was a season best in the 200 IM, so that's always a good thing," said Rodriguez, "I was tired in the 100 fly, so I was glad to win it."

Kathryn Korff took third in the 50 free (25.54), leading Hersey to eighth place.