Drama down the stretch for state runner-up Barrington

CHARLESTON - Barrington has finished strong all season, so it was no surprise when the Fillies let loose their lethal attack once again, this time in the final stages of the Class 3A girls track state finals at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.

And the Fillies certainly saved their best for last.

With a state trophy on the line, Barrington earned state medals in four of the last six events, capping its day with a come-from-behind victory in the 1,600 relay to earn the program's third state trophy Saturday.

Barrington tied Warren for second place with 35 points. Lincoln-Way East captured its third consecutive Class 3A state title with 51 points, joining East St. Louis, Evanston, and Morgan Park as the only large schools to win three straight titles.

"It's been an amazing year from start to finish," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis. "With the leadership and young talent, it really came together and just started to snowball."

Barrington need a fifth place-or-better finish in its last event, the 1,600 relay, to earn a state trophy. The Fillies left no doubt about it, delivering a state title in the race.

Junior Sara Kate Capel, junior Anna Cossio, sophomore Addi Coy and sophomore Kelsey McLaurin combined to lead the Fillies to the 1,600 victory in a season-best (3:52.26).

McLaurin came from behind in the final 50 meters to pass Lincoln-Way East (3:53.06) and Oak Park-River Forest (3:53.32) to seal the victory and the trophy placement.

"I just said 'I have to go,' " said McLaurin of her final burst. "We knew it was close, and I wanted to give it everything I had. What a great feeling."

Capel, McLaurin, Coy and senior Nina Hodges came up huge at the end, with each securing two state medals.

Hodges, Capel, and McLaurin combined with senior Liz Nykaza to start Barrington's finishing run by taking fifth in the 800 relay (1:41.84).

Coy then used a final burst in the 300 low hurdles (44.30) to take third place, and Hodges matched her effort by delivering a third-place finish in the 200 (25.06).

And let's not forget freshman Jocelyn Long and her effort in securing a key fourth-place finish in the 3,200 (10:51.36).

"It feels amazing," said Hodges. "I wanted to do it for the team. All the hard work paid off."

"It's unbelievable," said Coy, whose strong third leg in the 1,600 put the Fillies in position for their dramatic finish. "We knew what was at stake and we ran like we know how to."

Junior Kelly O'Brien had a big day for Palatine. She started her day by combining with junior Sam Lechowicz, senior Kara Burton and senior Megan Beach in delivering a second-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:12.43).

It was the Pirates' 11th consecutive top-five finish in the 3,200 relay.

"Yesterday we didn't approach it the right way, we weren't focused," said Burton. "We came in today with a new attitude and asserted ourselves."

O'Brien then lit up the track in her first two laps of the 1,600, cruising through the half-way point in 2:16. She slowed a bit before finishing third in an impressive 4:57.84.

"I just put it all out there, but my last 400 wasn't as solid as they have been," said O'Brien. "A lot changes and challenges, but I definitely feel like I learned a lot from the seniors."

Prospect sophomore Brooke Wilson capped a huge season by taking second in the 3,200 (10:51.36) and sixth in the 1,600 (4:59.78). Wilson hung tough all through the 3,200 and made a nice ending surge to nail down her spot.

"It was exciting after sectionals, and seeing my times we decided to go for the double," said Wilson, who finished 24th at the Class 3A state meet in the fall. "Last year at this time I thought there was no way I'd be a state medalist. Now that I'm here, it's like anything is possible."

Senior Katie Escobar, senior Ayako Higuchi, senior Lauren Ciardiello and junior Nora Finegan combined to lead Fremd to its second consecutive state medal in the 3,200 relay. Last year the same four took eighth place; this year they earned a third-place medal with an impressive 9:13.42.

"It feels incredible," said Escobar. "We got ourselves in good position and we were able to finish strong. No better way to end senior year."

Higuchi came back to take a ninth-place finish in the 1,600 (5:02.81).

Freshman Lauren Kubinski, senior Ali Gutt, freshman Maddy Marasco and senior Erin Falsey put it all together in leading Schaumburg to sixth place in the 3,200 relay (9:16.13).

The Saxons went back to their original order for Saturday's finals after switching it up in the preliminaries and Falsey brought it home to secure the medals.

"Finals are all heart," said Falsey. "And we wanted it so bad."

Hoffman Estate Meagan Biddle didn't have the best sectional time, but the Hawks junior certainly delivered at the state meet, capping her season with an eighth-place finish in the 1,600 (5:00.56).

"I knew it was going to be tough coming in with all the competition," said Biddle of her strong run. "But I wanted to do it for our team."

Class 1A

Christian Liberty Academy sophomore Bella Wolke finished ninth at Class 1A cross country meet in the fall, and she continued to impress on the track this spring. Wolke earned her first state track medal by using a strong finish and placing fourth in the 3,200 (11:15.97).

"It feels amazing," said Wolke. "I tried to work off the leaders and then pushed it at the end to get to the podium."