The biggest flame has to start with a tiny spark.

For Batavia's girls track program, the igniter was high jumper Kelli Schumaker in 2001, the Bulldogs' first state medalist in seven years. An individual or relay team has earned a medal each year since, including Brittney Bernardoni's state pole vault championship in 2006 – Batavia's first in girls track.

The latest phase in Batavia's growth took place Saturday in the IHSA Class AA meet. The Bulldogs won their first state trophy and the school's fourth, tying Conant for third place.

“Everybody in the state is going to know about Batavia now,” said Bulldogs senior Brooke Bernardoni, Brittney's sister. “We've been excelling for years in our conference, but now everyone in the state is going to know about us.”

East St. Louis won the championship with 65 points. Barrington took second (38). The Bulldogs scored 34 points, four more than fifth-place Grant. State champion Natalie Tarter contributed 22 points individually and ran the second leg on the fourth-place 1,600 relay behind Brooke Bernardoni.

“It was huge for these girls to know that they could compete with these guys,” Batavia coach Chad Hillman said. “It doesn't matter how big or small we are. They can compete with the East St. Louises and the Barringtons. They're not out of their league. This is our league. That's what we needed them to understand.”

Hillman said the progression has been a result of the accomplishments of Schumaker, hurdler Megan Garrity, Brittney Bernardoni and previous Bulldogs athletes that the current team knew about and possibly looked up to.

Bernardoni's individual state title was the first for a boy or girl since Donald Anderson in 1933, also in the pole vault. Tarter became the town's third state champion Saturday.

“It's still a small community,” Batavia coach Chad Hillman said. “They know who Megan Garrity is. They know who Brittney Bernardoni is. When Brittney Bernardoni wins a state championship, that's an indication we're not little Batavia anymore.”

Tarter won the 300 low hurdles in a personal best and school record 42.14.

“I'm just glad we won something,” she said. “We wanted to get a state championship at Batavia in anything. It didn't matter whether it was the 100 hurdles or the 300 hurdles or the 1,600 relay.

“We've worked so hard this season – and it's all coming together now.”

Tarter was the top seed in the 100 hurdles entering Friday's prelims. She admitted to  being slightly disappointed with her second-place finish in the finals, but said winning the 300 lows title made up for it as the realization of a long-held goal.

“You have no idea,” Tarter said. “I've wanted that for so long. It's all that I've worked for all year. I'm really happy right now.”

Tarter also finished sixth in the 100 meter dash (12.34).