Fogle, Rodriguez deliver

Barrington's Emily Fogle and Buffalo Grove's Erin Rodriguez both entered Friday's girls swimming state meet prelims with high expectations.

And both met - and in some ways exceeded - those expectations at Evanston.

Rodriguez enters today's finals with the third-best time in the 200-yard IM (2:05.38), while Fogle (1:02.91) is set for a thrilling match-up with St. Charles North's Angie Chokran (1:02.85) after the pair finished with the top two times in the 100 breaststroke.

"I was expecting to be in the top 12," said Rodriguez who set a new school record. "But being in the top three is unbelievable - I could never imagine that."

"My goal was to become state champion this season," said Fogle, who set a school record. "I like to race. Now I just have to keep focus."

Rosary is well on its way to securing its third consecutive state title as the Beads swept all three relays, including state records in the 200 medley (1:44.85) and the 200 free (1:33.89). Rosary also qualified nine individuals to Saturday's finals.

Downers Grove North also had an impressive day as senior Adrienne Bicek set a state record with the top qualifying time in the 500 free (4:46.66). She also has the top mark in the 200 IM (2:00.94).

New Trier qualified all three relays and six individuals to the finals. The action begins at 1 p.m. at Evanston.

Fogle narrowly missed the cut for the finals in the 200 IM, finishing with the 13th-best time. But the junior didn't disappoint in the 100 breast.

Fogle jumped out to an early lead and and was able to gut out the final 50 yards.

Chokran turned in stellar performance in securing the top mark to set up today's showdown.

"It's going to be a good one," said Barrington coach Jim Bart.

Fogle has finished second at state the past two years but believes she can turn it up a notch today.

"I think the back half could have been a little faster," said the junior. "Before the race I couldn't stop shaking. I don't know if I was nervous or cold. I knew that would be a factor. Tomorrow I just need to keep warm."

Barrington also qualified two relays for today's finals.

Freshman Erika Elliot, sophomore Anne Jacobson and senior Kimmy Steelman combined with Fogle to lead the Fillies to the fifth-best mark in the 200 medley (1:47.77).

Victoria Waring joined Fogle, Elliot, and Steelman in leading the Fillies to the fifth-best time in the 200 free relay (1:37.62).

"We came in here today and all we wanted to do was make the top six," said Steelman of the Fillies' goal. "Beginning of the season, we were not anticipating being this good. But all the girls are stepping up and it's showing."

Steelman added a season-best in finishing with the 14th-fastest time in the 100 free (52.78). Jacobson added a career-best time in finishing 23rd in the 100 back (59:58).

It all added up to a pretty good day for the Fillies.

"We're real happy with what we've done," added Bart. "We've been building up to this point."

Rodriguez has also been building up to this point after missing the finals in her freshman and sophomore years. This year the senior used an explosive first two legs, then finished strong in advancing in the 200 IM.

"It's my first time making it to the finals," added Rodriguez who also set a school record in finishing in 17th place in the 100 fly (58:11). "I knew this was my day, and tomorrow will be too."

"She didn't panic at all," said BG coach Tom Mroz. "The thing that kept her in it was she just had fantastic turns."

It is also shaping up to be a big day for Conant's Kelly Hendricks and Palatine's Mallory Fisher.

Hendricks qualified for today's diving finals with the fourth-best score (287.00). The senior won both Mid-Suburban League title and the York sectional title.

Fisher also qualified for the diving finals with the 10th-best effort (270.20). The sophomore took second in the MSL and second at the Stevenson sectional.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=253129">Saturday state girls swimming photo gallery</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=253053">Friday state girls swimming photo gallery</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>