Barrington fends off Hoffman Estates in invite debut

Barrington made itself feel right at home at its inaugural girls track invitational.

It was close, but the Fillies used a combination of experience and youth to edge Hoffman Estates 140.5-134.5 on a cool Friday night at Community Stadium.

Bolingbrook took third with 106 points followed by Lake Forest (81 points) and Prairie Ridge (68 points) in the seven-team field.

"It's very exciting to see some of our younger kids step up and perform," said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis of the Fillies' effort. "We're a young team with some solid veteran leaders, and they are really coming around."

Hoffman's Melissa Schmidt showed she has recovered from a stress fracture in her left fibula during cross country season by winning and hitting a sizzling 10:52.1 in the 3,200-meter run. The senior also took second in the 1,600 (5:11.2).

"I think I'm getting back to where I was," said Schmidt of her recovery, "Physically I think I was there, but it has been tough getting back into it mentally."

Barrington's veterans set the tone as senior Anna Etherington cleared 11 feet, 6 inches in taking first in the pole vault, then Jorie Frey took first in the 400 (58.5), second in the 200 (26.2), and third in the long jump (16-1.25).

"I think we pulled it off today," said Frey. "We have hidden talent in every event. People may underestimate us, but I think we can be pretty good."

The Fillies then received a charge from their youngsters with sophomore Melissa Madden taking first in the 300 low hurdles (48.7), third in the 100 low hurdles (16.6) before anchoring the 1,600 relay (4:11.5) to a first-place finish.

"We're feeling a lot more comfortable than last year," said Madden of the Fillies' youth, "and it helps with the senior leadership."

Sophomore Caroline Carley added a victory in the 800 (2:24.2) and freshman Rebecca Batliner continues to impress, taking second in the 3,200 (11:02.8).

Hoffman was without state medalist Precious Ogunleye in the shot put and discus, but the Hawks put on an impressive show.

"We were missing a real big piece," said Hoffman Estates coach Dan Anderson, "We're really good all around and we're still putting the pieces together."

Sophomore Haley Goers took charge for the Hawks by winning the 1,600 (4:11.5) and anchoring the 3,200 relay (9:36.1) to first place.

"I'm just feeling more confident this year," said Goers, who has made a strong early impression. "We have a lot of potential in every event and I think we'll keep improving."

Sophomore Emily D'Amico took first in the 100 (12.3) and junior Kristie Hisey cleared 5-2 in taking first in the high jump for the Hawks.

Bolingbrook is the defending state champion in the 800 relay and the Red Raiders looked impressive in sweeping the 400 relay (49.1) and 800 relay (1:44.8) on Friday.

Jasmine Brown added a first in the 200 (25.5) and Kayla Bell took first in the triple jump (33-6) for Bolingbrook.

Carolina Carmichael took first in the 100 high hurdles (15.5) and long jump (16-4) to pace Lake Forest.