District 220 board honors Barrington High girls golf champ

Barrington High School sophomore Mara Janess recently was honored for accomplishing a first for the girls golf team.

In October, Mara entered the Barrington High record book as the school's first Class 2A girls golf individual state champion. She snagged the title after winning a one-hole playoff over Glenbrook South High School junior Maria Perakis at Hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur.

Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board members honored Mara at a meeting this month.

"I'll just say, no pressure, but you are a sophomore," District 220 board President Penny Kazmier joked while congratulating the champion golfer.

Mara, who was about 9 years old when she began golfing, has been on a roll since late last season when her game started coming together. She got hot on the back nine the day she won the individual state championship, carding birdies on holes 11, 13, 14 and 16.

"I just want to thank my coaches and my team, especially my friends, for all their support," she said while receiving the District 220 board kudos.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Barrington High Fillies were second at the Class 2A state championship in team play. Lincolnshire's Stevenson High School edged Barrington's girls by 1 stroke.