The 2024-25 Herald Cup: No. 2 Barrington
Editor’s note: Now that the 2024-25 high school sports year is over, it’s time to announce the top schools in the Herald Cup standings. We devised a points system based on team state finishes to measure which of the 80-plus high schools from the Daily Herald circulation area had the best athletic year. Last week we announced the top five small schools in the Herald Cup standings. This week we’re unveiling the top large schools, one per day, starting with No. 5 on Monday through No. 1 on Friday.
Mia Sirois and Barrington’s girls cross country team started the school year on a perfect note. Her dominant effort earned her an individual Class 3A title and helped the Broncos to the team title as well.
Highlighted by final four appearances in girls soccer and softball, Barrington piled up impressive state performances in 11 sports. Calculating success by weighing team finishes throughout the fall, winter and spring, Barrington earned 135 points to place second in the 2024-25 Herald Cup standings for large schools.
How they did it
After the girls cross country team won the state title, the track and field team finished seventh. The Broncos also landed in the top 10 in boys cross country, girls and boys golf, and boys tennis.
In addition to a second-round appearance for the football team in the Class 8A playoffs, the girls and boys lacrosse teams won sectional titles.
Who made it happen
Sirois, a sophomore, set a Detweiller Park course record in the state cross country race and in the spring set a Class 3A record in the 3,200 meters.
Softball player Mimi Cline was named the Daily Herald’s Cook County All-Area team honorary captain after batting .477 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI for a team that fell to Oswego in the 4A final.
Piper Lucier, a three-time all-state player and the All-Area team honorary captain in girls soccer, led the Broncos to a third-place state finish with 19 goals and 20 assists.
Key stats
Reese Wallace shot a 144 in the Class 3A girls golf meet to place fourth overall. She finished five strokes behind the champion, and only three strokes separated her from second place.
Tight end Austin Coles, who will be a junior this football season, holds 15 scholarship offers including from a large chunk of the Big Ten, SEC and ACC.
Key fact
Led by William Lange’s seventh-place medal, the boys golf team was fifth in Class 3A. It was the program’s sixth straight top-10 finish, not including the canceled COVID season in 2020.
Barrington boasts 15 top-five finishes in boys golf dating back to 1957, including a Class AA title in 1992.
They said it
“I knew that the course record was possible, but I knew I had to fight for it.” — Sirois after winning the cross country state title.
“I have so many weapons to work with. I got in a good tempo and I have good connection with Austin Coles. He runs the hitches and posts well. He is so lanky and catches everything.” — Barrington quarterback Nick Peipert after completing 20 of 22 passes for 379 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 66-13 playoff win over South Elgin.
“They were just like big sisters or moms to the whole team.” — junior lacrosse player Emma Menke, talking about the 12 seniors who helped the team win a sectional title.
“It’s just such a great feeling that we made it here. We have worked so hard all year and it paid off by getting to state.” — softball player Shaylee Hiser after a 1-0 10-inning win over Lockport in the state semifinals.