Fantastic finish for Fogle

The third time truly was a charm for Barrington's Emily Fogle.

The junior finished second at state in both her freshman and sophomore years in the 100-yard breaststroke.

But on Saturday at the girls swimming state meet finals, Fogle finally claimed the top spot. She won the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.61 at Evanston Township High School.

"It all fell into place and it felt great," said Fogle, who led from start to finish in securing Barrington's first individual swimming title in the Fillies' illustrious team history. "This is what I wanted - this is what I worked for."

Rosary cruised to its third consecutive state title with 184 points, easily outdistancing New Trier and Hinsdale Central, who tied for second with 101 points.

The Beads swept the three relays, including setting a state record in the 200 free relay (1:33.88) for the second consecutive day. Mackenzie Powers took first in the 100 fly (55.51).

Waubonsie Valley (85 points) and Downers Grove North (77 points) rounded out the top five. Barrington (60 points) captured seventh place, finishing in the top 10 at state for 13th time.

And Fogle led the way with her state title in the 100 breast. The junior entered Saturday's finals with the second-best qualifying mark, behind St. Charles North's Angie Chokran.

But Fogle took control of the race once she hit the water, hitting the 50-yard mark in 29.11 with Chokran nipping at her heels at 29.81.

The junior then used an explosive burst on the final turn to nail down the championship with Chokran (1:03.20) taking second.

"Right into the turn I accelerated," said Fogle of the final spin. "That's the key turn, it's the last lap and it's where you get your breath. You shoot off for the last lap and that's what I did."

"She accelerated into the wall and life was good," said Barrington coach Jim Bart of Fogle, whose time was also a school record. "She executed the plan."

Fogle started the day by combining with sophomore Anne Jacobsen, freshman Erika Elliot and senior Kimmy Steelman in setting a school record and taking fourth place in the 200 medley relay (1:47.04).

Junior Victoria Waring joined Fogle, Elliot, and Steelman in taking fourth place in the 200 free relay (1:38.12).

The Fillies' relays came alive this season and their state performances capped an impressive finish.

"There wasn't one key player on any of our relays," said Steelman, who picked up her ninth and 10th state medals. "It's not like we depended on one person to bring us home. We were all so in synch and we've all been working hard."

"It was a good meet," added Bart of the Fillies' performance. "We're happy with everything. It was a good year for our team."

It also was a good year for Buffalo Grove's Erin Rodriguez. The senior capped her season and high school career by taking third and setting a school record in the 200 IM (2:05.08).

"There is so much pressure off of me now," said Rodriguez, who won her first state medal. "I'm happy to be that medal winner - it's awesome."

Rodriguez hit the water hard in the back and breaststroke, positioning herself in third place behind Downers Grove North's Adrienne Bicek (2:01.30) and Rosary's Olivia Scott (2:02.28). The senior then maintained her pace the final two legs to secure the third-place medal.

"Same as yesterday, she knew she had to take it out hard," said BG coach Tom Mroz. "In her head she wanted to hang with the leaders until the breaststroke, then she maintained it."

Conant's Kelly Hendricks capped her career with a bang in diving. The senior missed the finals last year, finishing in 13th place, but she came back this season and secured a fifth-place medal (385.00)

"I've been working so hard to get to finals," said Hendrick's of her first medal. "I'm so happy to finally get a medal."

Palatine's Mallory Fisher got her medal, too. The sophomore capped a stellar season by taking 10th in diving (355.70).

"It's really what I was aiming for this year, to make the final cut," said Fisher, who clinched her medal with a reverse and a half. "It wasn't the best one I've ever done, but it wasn't the worst."

Mundelein's Taylor Reckert picked up her second consecutive medal in diving (369.45) with a seventh-place finish.

The senior used an inward double on her first dive to propel her medal drive.

"I love that dive because inwards are my favorite," said Reckert who took fifth last year. "Good way to finish."

<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>