Girls track: Stellar efforts from Long in her Barrington track finale
Barrington senior Jocelyn Long has had quite a run for the Fillies.
The Northwestern-bound senior has already earned 3 state medals in cross country and 2 in track.
She sure seems to be good position to add to that last number.
Long looked comfortable on Friday in taking first and breaking her own school record in the 3,200 meters (10:39.47). She added a first-place finish in the 1,600 (4:13.90) in helping the host Fillies to a second-place team finish at the Barrington Invitational with 105 points on a chilly night.
"I'm feeling really good," said Long. "It was my last time running on my home track, and getting the two wins with the school record is really incredible."
New Trier took first place with 112 points, with Plainfield North taking third with 77.3 points, followed by Grant (66.3 points) and Warren (63.3 points).
Relays gave the Fillies a nice lift.
Freshman Anne Berquist, freshman Katherine Shein, junior Sophie Hoeltgen and freshman Molly Fitzpatrick gave the Fillies a nice start by winning the 3,200 relay (9:39.53).
Junior Gabby Cossio, freshman Reagan Pokorny, senior Eleni Filley and freshman Olivia Helmer added to the Fillies' attack by capturing the 800 relay (1:49.92).
"We've really been working on our passes and we have great team chemistry," said Cossio, who also finished second in the 300 low hurdles and helped key a third-place finish in the 1,600 relay. "We have had some freshman step up, and that has really helped."
Warren junior Janii Jenkins also had a pretty special night. The Blue Devils junior took first in the 400 (58.90) and also won the 200 (25.71), to go with a runner-up finish in the 100 (12.72).
"I'm feeling much more confident this year," said Jenkins who took third in Class 3A in the 400 last season. "I just wanted to run a smart race in the 400. I had a good start in 200. I'm really proud - especially with the weather conditions."
Grant senior Ariyona Wallace was a state qualifier in the 100 and 200 last season, and she's aiming for a state medal this season. Wallace flashed her speed by winning the 100 (12.69) and taking second in the 200 (26.41).
"I have trained harder this year and I'm hoping to make podium this year," said Wallace. "It's my senior year so I want to give it my best."
Hoffman Estates junior Makiyha Blackwell also looked impressive in taking first in both the shot put (37-09) and discus (106-00).
"I just wanted to do my best and show everyone what I have," said Blackwell, a state qualifier in shot put last season. "I have been working on my technique in both the shot put and discus and hoping for a big year."
Sophomore Janae Dean, junior Mikkaela Palmer, junior Nikki Rong, and junior Anna Miller gave Hoffman a nice lift by taking second in the 1,600 relay (4:14.15).
Conant senior Leah Jones took first in the 300 low hurdles (48.59).