Fremd gears up for strong distance relay

The Mid-Suburban League has a long history of success when it comes the distance events in girls track and field, especially in the 3,200 relay.

The past 10 years offers a hint of this consistent strength.

Palatine has finished in the top five in the 3,200 relay for 10 consecutive years including winning a state title in 2005.

Barrington won back-to-back state titles in 2007 and 2008.

Schaumburg kept things rolling by securing a state title in 2010. Prospect earned eight consecutive state medals. Hoffman Estates has emerged and also has fielded competitive relays, while Conant finished eighth in 2006 and Wheeling has also joined as one of the elites.

Add now, add Fremd to that list.

The Vikings made quite a statement at last season's state meet,securing an eighth-place medal.

Senior Katie Escobar, senior Ayako Higuchi, senior Lauren Ciardiello and junior Nora Finegan made a bit of history last season in setting a school record in the 3,200 relay (9:20.27) and earning a state medal. Now the four Vikings are ready for more.

"It's no secret, the fact that Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, and Barrington have solid teams motivates us," said track distance coach and head cross country coach Joe Marcin. "It motivates us to get better."

The Vikings had a breakout year in 2014, hitting a school record 9:21.63 to win the 3,200 relay at the MSL West Division meet. They then finished third at the MSL meet and qualified to the state meet with a second-place finish at the Lake Zurich sectional. Fremd finished up by hitting another school record in the Friday state preliminaries, and capped the season with a state medal on Saturday.

"Last year was definitely a breakout year," said Escobar. "This year we are looking to keep building and become stronger than ever."

It starts with Higuchi, one of the top distance runners in Illinois. The Vikings senior came to the United States from Japan her freshman year and despite the cultural adjustment has clearly found a home on the track.

Higuchi finished third at the Class 3A state meet in the 1,600 last season. She also has done the job in cross country, finishing second in the MSL the past two seasons and helping her team qualify for the Class 3A state meet this season.

"She is a great example of consistency and getting stronger," said Marcin. "She has adapted well to the culture and is now helping the younger girls."

Cross country and track helped to provide a bridge, easing Higuchi's transition.

"The culture was completely different," said Higuchi of her first year. "I didn't have a good grip of the language, but cross country helped me make new friends and forced me to speak English. I have become more and more comfortable each year."

Escobar also found a comfort zone after joining the cross country team her junior year. The Vikings senior proved to be a quick learner and qualified individually for 1,600. She also was a driving force for the Vikings cross country team last fall.

"She has that competitive edge," said Marcin. "She has a mental drive and wants to do well all the time."

Ciardiello and Finegan provide the wheels for the Vikings relay, flashing the speed both have shown in the 400.

Last year gave the Vikings a taste of success and with all four members returning for the relay expectations have definitely gone up.

"Last year we weren't expected to go that far," said Finegan, "We started to jell and things came together. It has pushed us to work harder during the off-season and we are really excited about this season."

"To get to state was so exciting, and then to medal made it that more exciting," said Higuchi. "We want to continue to get better and keep working hard."

Marcin, a Hersey graduate who ran at Illinois State, is only in his second year as distance coach. But he's already brought the Vikings a long way.

"We are trying to build on the small successes, because the small things we do well will lead to bigger accomplishment," said Marcin. "The girls are starting to believe, and it is motivating the younger kids. Consistency is the key."

The Vikings distance crew took another step forward on Saturday, winning the MSL indoor 3,200 relay title in an impressive 9:26.77 setting the stage for bigger accomplishments during the outdoor season.

"We have drive and passion, and we're pushing each other," added Escobar.