Barrington makes emphatic statement with invite title

Barrington has enjoyed quite a run the past two years, winning the Class AA state title in 2007 and finishing second in state last year.

But with Barrington graduating a talented core from those two teams and also dealing with a few injuries, one might be inclined to write off the Fillies this spring.

Not so fast.

The Fillies erased many of those doubts by taking first at the 19th annual Hinsdale Central Invite on Saturday, edging the host Red Devils 148-144.

Brittany Smith hit an outstanding 147-11 to take first in the discus and also took first in the shot put (42-4.5) to lead Oak Park-River Forest (87 points) to third place.

Barrington's Anna Etherington won the pole vault (11-0) to lead a strong showing in the field events - and Jenny Schnack, Jorie Frey, and Rebecca Tracy did their usual damage on the track to help propel the Fillies to the title.

"Don't write us off just yet," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis. "They competed, and I think the younger ones have learned that from the veterans. They keep coming and stepping up to the plate."

Frey blistered the final 200 meters to win the 400 (57.5), and the junior also took second in the long jump (16-5.5) and 200 (26.10).

"When I come around the final turn I give it everything I have," said Frey of her 400 victory. "I try to attack it."

Schnack flashed her state-quality talent by taking first in the 200 (25.9), third in the 100 (12.8), and running the third leg of the 1,600 relay (4:06.4) in 59.5 in which the Fillies were second.

"It's my senior year, I want to go out on a strong note," Schnack said.

Tracy clocked in at 11:06.7 to take first in the 3,200. The senior separated from the pack in the final 800 meters.

"I was patient, but I knew when it was time to go," said Tracy of her final 2 laps.

Last season, Hinsdale Central earned state medals in the 3,200 relay (third), 800 relay (eight), and 1,600 relay (sixth). The Red Devils flashed that same talent Saturday.

Chelsea Celistan, Amanda Freyn, Lizzie Lusk and Monique Bronowicki combined to lead Hinsdale Central to first in the 800 relay with a time of 1:44.

The Red Devils stuttered on a handoff and finished second in the 400 relay (49.7), but they ran a smooth 800 relay.

"We wanted to go hard, but make sure we got the baton," said Celistan, who took first in the 100 dash (12.4).

"We were a bit upset about the 400 relay," said Freyn, who ran a powerful second leg of the 800. "I think that kind of made us run faster."

The Red Devils switched it up a gear in the 1,600 relay, with Lusk, Stephanie Iantorno, Stephanie Green and Lauren Roush combining to take first in 4:03.4.

"We're coming together," said Green who took fourth in the 400 (59.50), two spots behind Roush (58.0). "We're hoping to place at state. We want to prove we can do it."

Hinsdale Central also took first in the 3,200 relay (9:57.50). Graylin Harrison separated from the pack with 200 meters remaining to take first in the 800 (2:24.5), and Heather Stevens added a first for the Red Devils in the 1,600 (5:09.60).

Caitlin Groeper cleared 5-2 in taking first in the high jump, leading Glenbard East to fourth place (49 points).

Freshman Lindsay Rakosnik challenged for the lead in the first 250 meters before finishing third in the 400 (58.30) for the Red Raiders.

"I tried to keep going, but my legs can only do so much," said Rakosnik, who also helped lead Glenbard East to third in the 1,600 relay (4:08.20).

Alyssa Corrigan took first in the 300 low hurdles (48.20), and Anne Strychalski took second in the 800 (2:26.20) for Libertyville.

"I'm still working on my steps," said Corrigan of the hurdles, "I had a good start, but was starting to tire at the end."

Chariese Porter took second in the 100 (12.60) to lead Willowbrook

Uzo Okoro took first in the triple jump (34-3.75) and Chika Okoro, despite a miss step on the final two hurdles, took second in the 100 high hurdles for Hinsdale South.

"The start was good," said Chika Okoro, "I had a good rhythm until the final two hurdles."

Gina Erbacci contended for the early before settling for second in the 3,200 (11:18.60) leading Elk Grove.

"I'm further along than I was last year," said Erbacci, "now I just have to maintain."

Wheaton North Invite

Sarah McIntosh took first in the 3,200 (11:10.3) to lead Palatine to the team title at Wheaton North with 112 points.

Hoffman Estates tied Sandburg for second with 104 points.

Katie MacFabe took first in the discus (131-6) and Martha Shepard added a first in the shot put (42-10) to help propel the Pirates.

Hoffman Estates took first in the 400 relay (50.6).

Buffalo Grove's Olivia Jones (5:04.7) edged Hoffman's Hannah Worman (5:09) and Palatine's Ruth Allen (5:10.3) for first in a competitive 1,600.