Barrington trio's run near an end

It was a quick turnaround for Barrington track stars Samantha Learch, Amanda Schnack and Molly Glantz.

On Friday night the three seniors led Barrington to its third straight sectional title at St. Charles North and set the defending state champion up in good shape in its quest for a repeat.

Saturday morning found the three gathered at a café just off Main Street in Barrington with Learch, Schnack and Glantz excitedly talking about times.

The discussion didn't center on the times at the sectional, which included the school record-setting 3,200 relay of 9:03.1, smashing the 2007 mark of 9:09.2.

Rather it was time to discuss the days the three seniors had left at Barrington before graduating.

After some quick calculations, the three concluded they had five school days left.

"That scares me when I think about it," Glantz said.

What scares the rest of the state is that starting today the three still have two full days on the track at the IHSA state track and field meet in Charleston.

Learch, Schnack and Glantz have shared quite a few experiences on the track, starting in sixth grade at Barrington's Station Middle School. They led the team to a fourth-place state finish in eighth grade.

But after winning three Mid-Suburban League titles, three sectional titles and one state championship at Barrington, the hour glass for the trio is finally starting to empty.

"We're definitely savoring each day we have left of track," Schnack said. "In the past there would always be a next day, but now we want to make the most of it and enjoy each moment with the team, the coaches and the experience of being track girls."

"I'm excited because summer is coming," added Learch, "but you start thinking about the team and your friends and it's like you want it to slow down."

Track has always been a common bond for the three. They have experienced the highs and lows of the state meet, they have filled the school's record book, and they will be leaving with a load of state medals.

"We were wowed from the moment they joined the team," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis. "They were a force to reckon with from their freshman year. We knew we had something special."

How special?

The three have combined for 8 state relay medals and 5 individual state medals.

Glantz holds the school records in the 100 high hurdles (14.8), 300 low hurdles (43.7), and is part of the relay teams that hold the school record in the 800 medley (1:47.03) and 1,600 relay (3:50.21).

Glantz also combined with Learch, Rebecca Tracy, and Kala Bingham to set the 3,200 relay record last Friday.

Learch holds the school record in the 800 (2:12.44).

Schnack holds the school record in the 100 (12.12) and 200 (25.16). She is also part of the record-breaking 400 (47.84) and 800 (1:40.46) relay teams.

The three have experienced highs, winning the 2007 state championship, as well as the lows, watching 2006 trophy aspirations evaporate due to a rule infraction.

"I had the best day of my life a year after I had the worst day of my life in the exact same spot," said Glantz, who along with 2007 graduate Val Taylor was disqualified at the 2006 state meet for the rules infraction involving the amount of events in which a runner can compete.

While the records, medals, and titles will always link Learch, Schnack and Glantz in Barrington history, it is the little things that have left a lasting impression on the three Fillies.

Like the look they give each other while passing in the halls of school.

"If we have a look in the hallways, it's a look of understanding," said Schnack, who will attend Harvard next year. "We're good friends in school, but through track there is a level of understanding. We've had our share of failures and disappointments along with our glory days.

"Having that mutual understanding, it kind of creates a special bond between us. We know what each other is going through."

Or the encouragement they give each other after a grueling practice.

"We go through the same thing. Running is not easy," said Learch, who is headed to the University of Arkansas next fall. "So we're all feeling the same, yet we do it. They see us in our best and worse, when we're having our good days and when we're having our bad days."

They're also there to lend a hand after each race.

"We've definitely always been there to pick each other up no matter what our different events might be," added Glantz, who be attending Cornell. "At the end of the day one of us will always be at the finish line to help the other and that's important."

The three seniors are each unique in their special way.

Schnack carries herself with a quiet confidence and calming smile.

Glantz's infectious laugh can brighten any day, while Learch's energy electrifies the track.

However, the three Fillies responded in basically the same way when talking about their final state meet.

"Just attack it," Learch said.

"Run with our hearts because it's our last hurrah," Schnack said.

"My mind going in is to go for it," Glantz said.

The Saturday morning after sectionals was greeted by an inviting spring sun, and the memories of Glantz, Learch and Schnack were just as warm.

The three have shared so much.

They'll travel different roads after Saturday as Schnack heads to Cambridge, Mass., Learch to Fayetteville, Ark., and Glantz to Ithaca, N.Y.

However, they'll never forget the glorious past.

"It won't be a particular race," Schnack said, "but it will be those moments after the meet, circling up, the friendships we built, being part of the team. Having girls not only as teammates but as friends, having that common goal and fighting toward that."

There's no expiration date on memories.