Girls track: Fitzpatrick, Barrington edge out Palatine

Barrington freshman Molly Fitzpatrick came through when it counted.

A late sub for the 1,600 relay, the final event of a long day, she was anything but rattled.

With Barrington clinging to a small lead over host Palatine, the Broncos needed a big performance, and Fitzpatrick provided it.

Despite a shaky final handoff, Fitzpatrick held off a late Palatine surge to secure second place in the event in 4:08.13, which propelled the Fillies to the title with 132 points at the 86th annual Palatine Relays on a bright but brisk day at Chic Anderson Stadium.

"That gave me some motivation, and I knew I had to go," said Fitzpatrick of her final and decisive leg. "It's amazing to win. Coming in, we weren't sure what was going to happen, but we just wanted to give it our best."

Host Palatine finished a close second with 129 points, followed by Evanston (83), Wheeling (64) and Hersey (52).

Evanston senior Enyaeva Michelin earned her second consecutive McElroy Award, given to the meet's most outstanding female athlete, by taking first in the 800 (2:11.33) and then coming back to set a meet record and win the 1,600 (4:50.03).

"It feels great," said Michelin of her special day. "There was a lot of great competition."

Fitzpatrick played several key roles in the Fillies' victory. She took second individually in the 800 (2:17.81) and then combined with Sophie Hoeltgen, Morgan Magro and Katherine Shein to lead the Fillies to victory in the 3,200 relay (9:28.09).

Fitzpatrick ended her day by combining with Hoeltgen, Magro and Megan Miller to secure second in the 1,600 relay.

"We went into the 1,600 relay knowing we were close to Palatine," said Miller, who finished fifth in the 400 (1:01.58). "We knew we had to give it our all. Molly got thrown in at the last minute but she pulled it off - a great team effort."

Senior Jocelyn Long also contributed to the Fillies' big day by winning the 3,200 (11:05.27) and taking second in the 1,600 (5:10.66).

"I just wanted to cruise through the 3,200, keeping it smooth," said Long. "I think we showed our depth in the distance events today."

Reagan Pokorny, Ally Butirro, Morgan Magro and Alyssa Norris combined to power Barrington to first place in the frosh-soph 1,600 sprint medley relay (4:24.65).

Gina Polito took first individually for the Fillies in the shot put (35-09.50).

Palatine kept it close with junior Erin Oleksak keying the attack. She started the day by taking first in the 300 low hurdles (46.52), then nipped Lane Tech's Natasha Bernett for first in the 100 high hurdles (15.24). The Pirates scored team victories in both hurdle events.

Oleksak also was part of the Pirates' third-place finish in the 800 relay (1:48.51).

"I really worked hard during the off-season and I think it's paying off," said Oleksak. "I think the team is coming together at the right time."

Junior Jess Streepy gave the Pirates a nice lift by winning pole vault (11-3) and keying a team victory in the event. Anya Ball gave the Pirates a lift by taking second in the high jump (4-10).

Wheeling also seems to be peaking at the right time - especially that 1,600 relay. Nicole Nguyen, Nosa Igiehon, Yailene Leon and Alexis Knight combined to power the Wildcats to a swift victory in 3:59.98.

Leon (59.67) and Knight (59.90) also went 2-3 in the 400 to help a Wheeling team event win.

"It's exciting," said Leon of the Wildcats' winning relay. "We definitely wanted to come out and post a fast time."

"This is what we've been working for," said Nguyen, who also was part of the Wildcats' run to second place in the 400 relay (50.21). "We know how to work together and how to push each other."

Barbara Rydzewski (122-02) and Janine Boyan (109-04) went 1-2 in the discus for a first-place Hersey finish.

Rydzewski also took second in the shot put (35-09) to lead another Huskies event win.

"I'm pretty confident with my throwing and feel like I'm getting better," said Rydzewski. "We all worked well together today."