Barrington flying under the radar

The Palatine and Schaumburg girls cross country teams have gained most of the attention in early part of the season.

Meanwhile, Barrington has quietly gone about its business, flying under the radar.

But after Barrington won the Peoria Woodruff Invite on Sept. 11th, the secret is out - the Fillies are good.

Last year, the Fillies finished fifth in the Mid Suburban League and missed qualifying for state, taking seventh at the Schaumburg sectional.

The Fillies were hit hard by a late-season virus which derailed their state aspirations.

This year, the Fillies started by tying a solid York squad 70-70 at the St. Charles East Invite and settled for second based on a tiebreaker.

But there was no denying Barrington at the Peoria Woodruff - the Fillies made quite a statement taking first with 93 points.

"It's just been good team chemistry," said Fillies coach Deb Revolta. "They don't care who is first. We've been running as a pack and they trust in each other."

The Fillies face a stern test Saturday at the Palatine Invitational, matching up against the defending state champion host Pirates.

Sophomore Rebecca Batliner won the Palatine Invitational as a freshman and powers the Fillies this season.

Last year Batliner ended the cross country season with the swine flu, and a stress fracture disrupted her track season.

But the sophomore is ready for the challenge Saturday.

"That's what we've all been working for," Batliner said. "We just want to keep running as well as we've been running - just go out there and run."

Junior Ella Tracy has given the Fillies a solid No. 2 runner, while sophomore Rachel Simon, junior Alexa Argianas and senior Sarah Miller have fortified the pack.

"We knew we wanted to work hard and take it day by day," Tracy said. "We know we want it, so we've been working as a group and just trying to come together."

Simon and Miller both ran on the junior varsity team last season, but the two have stepped up big for the Fillies this season.

"All good teams have a number one runner," added Revolta, "What separates the teams are the fourth and fifth runners, and our kids have come up huge, they are scraping for every place."

Barrington has not qualified for the state meet since 2007, but this year team is eyeing a return trip. The Fillies have already crept up to No. 3 ranking in the dyestat.com.

So are the Fillies for real?

"We don't know if we're the real deal, but were here to play," added Simon.

One thing is for certain, the Fillies aren't flying under the radar anymore.

Girl Cross Country

Kaila Privatsky (20:12 ) took first leading a solid Barrington attack as the Fillies took the top 10 places to easily outdistance Conant 15-50 in a Mid-Suburban League West victory on Tuesday at Beese Park.

Sarah Miller (20:13), Alexa Argianas (20:14), Caroline Carley (20:15), and Rebecca Batliner (20:16) finished off the scoring for the Fillies attack.

Carly Acks (22:14) took 11th to lead Conant.

Boys Cross Country

Junior Erik Petersen (16:01) took first leading Barrington to a 19-42 Mid-Suburban League West victory over Conant on Tuesday at Beese Park.

Andrew Foley (16:16), Ryan Graves (16:30), Tim McAuliff (16:32), and Ryan Skelly (16:34) finished 3rd through 6th to give the Broncos a convincing victory.

Senior Troy Cunningham (16:10) took second to lead Conant.