Girls track and field: Sirois shines in weather-shortened Gitelis invite
Everyone knew that Mother Nature was not going to cooperate with the Jody Gitelis girls track and field invitational Friday night at Barrington.
Officials moved up the starting time of the powerful 12-team meet by 30 minutes so they could get as much of the competition completed before lightning in the area ended the meet at 7 p.m.
The meet will not be resumed, but Lake Zurich led the host Fillies 71-66 when the competition had to be stopped after 10 of the 18 events were completed.
After missing the entire cross country season due to injury, Barrington junior sensation Mia Sirois is off to a great start as the two-time 3,200-meter state champion broke her own meet record with a winning time of 10:06.02 in the 3,200 despite windy conditions.
"I think this was my best time on this track. My goal was to be sub-10 minutes, but the weather doesn't always agree with me," said Sirois. "I would really like to get the state record in the 3,200 (9:53.96 by Richland County's Tatum David in 2023). I've been eyeing the state record for a long time, and if all of the pieces come together that would be my main goal."
Barrington coach Debbie Revolta was happy with Sirois' performance, and she said Sirois is back to 100% now.
"It was her best time this season, but she broke 10 minutes last year and she's ready to do that if it wasn't as windy as it is right now," said Revolta. "The 4x800 looked good. Everybody has to stay healthy and we hope they can do well the rest of the way."
Lake Zurich's 4x800 team of University of Colorado-bound Polina Krupsky, Chloe Wettstein, Abigail Kocher, and Celia Blaylock held off Barrington by .57 seconds to win in 9:24.90. The Bears took fifth in the state last year in the 4x800.
Lake Zurich also got a first place from defending state champion Arisa Bisofa (42.97 meters) in the discus. Lakes senior Leanna Zalapi (5.54 meters) won the long jump while Warren's Anna Iwuagwu (10.74 meters) won the triple jump.
“Both of our schools are always competing to be the best, and my kids love coming to this meet and being able to run against Barrington in the 4x800," said Lake Zurich coach Suzie Santiago. "Both teams have really special 4x800's this year, and we would love to go to state and try to better their placement from last year."
Barrington freshman Lana McKendree (12.99 seconds) edged Lakes senior Makayla Williams by .08 seconds to win the 100-meter dash. Krupsky (2:16.06) won the 800-meter run by .76 seconds over Prairie Ridge's Anneke Dam. Hoffman Estates senior Nina Oliver (16.22 seconds) was able to nip McKendree by .10 seconds to win the 100-meter hurdles.
Conant's 4x200 team of Evelyn Hernandez, Nataly Nikolova, Mitsuki Takeda, and Katie Cheng easily won in 1:54.38 to beat runner-up Bartlett by almost five seconds. Lakes' 4x100 team of Williams, Samaya Mullings, Evelyn Belcher, and Elizabeth Mercure placed second to Plainfield North.