Girls cross country: Barrington, Prospect finish strong at state meet
Barrington and Prospect had been the class of the Mid-Suburban League all season and the two teams kept rolling on Saturday at the IHSA Class 3A state girls cross country meet.
Barrington won the MSL title and finished second at the Hoffman Estates sectional, while Prospect finished second in the MSL and won the title at the Hoffman Estates sectional.
Both teams followed the script on Saturday with Barrington finishing seventh and Prospect taking eighth at the Class 3A finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Naperville North won its fourth consecutive Class 3A title with 90 points, followed by Yorkville (142 points) and Hinsdale Central (183 points).
Glenbard West senior Katelyn Hart won her fourth consecutive Class 3A title, crossing the finish line in 16:05.
Wheaton Warrenville South junior Samantha Poglitsch (16:37), Batavia sophomore Katrina Schlenker (16:40), Grant sophomore Aly Negovetich (16:42), and Naperville North junior Maggie Gamboa (16:44) rounded out the top five.
Junior Molly Fitzpatrick (17:13) and senior Alyssa Norris (17:17) secured all-state honors by finishing in 19th place and 24th place to pace Barrington.
"I'm so proud of this group, they did a really nice job," said Barrington coach Deb Revolta of her team's Top 10 finish. "They came here to compete. That's all you can do, just do the best you can and that's what they did."
Fitzpatrick was all-state her freshman season finishing in 21st place, but just missed the cut last season finishing in 26th place.
The Fillies' junior got a bit of redemption on Saturday with her 19th place finish. She jumped out to a nice start and held her position.
"I'm happy with how the race went," said Fitzpatrick, who came back from an early-season injury. "I put myself in good position throughout the race and I'm happy with how it played out."
Norris, who finished third in the 1,600 at the Class 3A state track meet in the spring, continued her momentum this fall.
The Fillies' senior got off to a bit of slow start but really stepped it up in the postseason, culminating with her all-state honor.
"That's been my way. I usually get off to a slow start to the season and then when we hit the championship season I do my thing," said Norris, who was thrilled for her first all-state honors in cross country. "It feels great."
Prospect also got it done at the state meet. Sophomore Audrey Ginsberg (17:14) led the charge by securing 21st place and earning all-state. Freshman Cam Kalaway (17:40) also had an impressive day by taking 38th place.
"The girls stepped up and ran great today," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute. "They came in with a totally different energy than the past two years. They had different expectations, the goal was a Top 10 finish and that is what they were able to do."
Ginsberg had an impressive sophomore season and continued it at the state meet, using a surge in the final mile to secure her all-state honors.
"I knew I had to go and I believed in myself," said Ginsberg of her decisive move. "It's really exciting. It's been one of my goals since last year and it's so surreal that it actually happened."
Hersey freshman Anna Harden (17:17) continued her breakout season earning all-state honors with a 23rd place finish. Harden helped Hersey secure a 20th place team finish.
"I'm super excited, a bit tired and a little emotional," said Harden. "I just wanted to get out to a strong start and not get boxed in."
Senior Julia LaDuke (18:00) finished in 62nd place to pace Fremd to a 14th place team finish.
Junior Ann Maria Jordan (70th place) was Palatine's top runner helping the Pirates to a 24th place team finish.
Wheeling freshman Brenda Torres (17:32) capped a big season by taking 32nd place for the Wildcats.
St. Viator junior Katie Castelli (17:58) earned her second consecutive all-state honors by taking 25th place in Class 2A.
Christian Liberty Academy sophomore Julia Wolke (17:45) earned her second consecutive all-state honors by securing seventh place in Class 1A.
Wolke, who also finished seventh last year, admitted the race was a bit more competitive this year, but the sophomore but was able to get in the flow early and secure her position.
"This year's race was little bit harder competition and it went out a little harder," said Wolke. "I feel super great and I'm excited for the next two years. But right now I'm enjoying the moment."