Barrington prevails at Wheeling

Barrington's girls cross country team and sophomore Jocelyn Long started strong on Saturday morning - and they finished even stronger.

Long stayed connected with lead pack for the over the first 2 miles before deciding to take control, using a decisive surge with 800 meters remaining to take first place in 17:25.9. That helped Barrington to the team title with 46 points at the Wheeling Invitational at the newly renovated Heritage Park.

Long's final surge proved to be the difference as she pulled away from Lake Zurich senior Caitlin Shepard (17:33.4) in the final mile to continue a breakout season.

"I was ready to come out today and race," said Long who set the tone for the Mid-Suburban West champions on a sunny and pleasant fall morning. "I was ready for a race and I definitely got that."

Lake Forest took second with 70 points and was hanging tough with Barrington for the first 2 miles before the Fillies used a finishing touch to secure the victory.

New Trier (123 points) used a sixth-place runner tie-breaker to nip Lake Zurich (123 points) for third place, with Lakes (130 points) taking fifth place.

Lake Forest sophomore Emma Milburn (17:47.3) took third place, followed by Barrington senior Lauren Conroy (18:01.5) and Lakes senior Kortney Schardt (18:10.2).

"We've been focusing on taking some risk and finishing the race a little stronger than we've had been," said Barrington assistant coach Mitchell Beck of the Fillies' strong finish. "The girls were able to pick a target in front and go after them. It showed in the way we finished."

Long and Conroy had plenty of help in the Fillies' run, as freshman Sophie Hoeltgen (18:37) survived a late fall and passed two Lake Forest runners at the line to take eighth place.

Junior Samantha Samaryczew (19:05) and freshman Eve Hoeltgen (19:23.3) sealed the victory by taking 14th and 19th place for the Fillies.

"We wanted to go out hard and position ourselves," said Conroy. "The last mile we just had the internal engine we needed to keep moving up … it was awesome."

Shepard has been powering Lake Zurich's team all season, and the senior displayed a bit of all-state potential on Saturday by hanging tough until the end.

"We were running stride for stride, but she kind of let loose," said Shepard of her battle with Long. "I'm feeling like it's all coming together now, and it's becoming more realistic about making all-state."

Sophomore Kelly Ledinsky (19:10.4) gave LZ a boost with a 16th-place finish, with senior Kristie Houghton (19:24.3) adding a 21st-place finish for the Bears.

"This whole season has been about rebuilding the varsity group with a lot of young kids," said Lake Zurich coach Ian Silverman, whose team has been given a lift with a pair of sophomores and a freshman in the top five. "They are coming along and we're seeing some real positive developments."

It's certainly coming together for Schardt, who finished seventh in Class 2A last season and has been the key for the Lakes' squad this fall.

The Eagles senior continued to impress by hanging close to the lead pack before closing hard for a fifth-place finish on Saturday.

"My legs felt a little heavy today, I was hoping to stay with the leaders a little longer," said Schardt. "But I'm really excited about the postseason and I feel like things are coming together."

Freshman Rae Dwyer (19:35.9), freshman Simone Lippman (19:40.4), and freshman Megan Knuettel (19:41.7) also gave Lakes a lift by placing 26-29-30.

Elk Grove junior Emily Stegmeier (18:18.5) continued to build on a breakout season by finishing in sixth place. The Grenadiers junior has fed off a strong track season and has been in a nice zone this season.

"It has been a great experience," said Stegmeier of her emergence. "It has definitely given me boost in confidence that I can run with the top runners."

Buffalo Grove senior Kaitlyn Ko (18:51.5) continued to take a step forward after returing from an early season injury by taking 12th place and powering the Bison to a seventh-place finish.

Ko, a two-time state medalist, missed an early chunk of the season due to a second degree stress fracture, but the senior is quietly finding her touch.

"Obviously I don't want to hit my peak too early," said Ko of her comeback. "But the past week I've gotten to the point where I feel like where I was before the injury."

Senior Natalie Lezama (19:36.1) aided the Bison drive with a 27th-place finish.

Freshman Alyssa Sturino (19:23.7, 20th) and freshman Abigail Rodriguez (19:28.3, 22nd) led Lake Park to eighth place.

Libertyville sophomore Melissa Manetsch (19:09.6) has returned from an early season illness. She placed 15th and led the Wildcats to a ninth-place finish.

"I'm feeling much stronger now," said Manetsch. "This whole week has been a workout week to get to where I need to be."

Senior Gaby Sanchez (19:32.7) took 25th to lead Rolling Meadows.