CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

On Thursday, May 3, 2007, Northside Pole Vaulters Vinh Nguyen, Santino Merino, Natalie Hanigan, and Bessie Nolan traveled to Hanson Stadium in Chicago, Illinois to take on Whitney Young in the first Mens City Pole Vault Championship since 1982!! and the first Womens City Pole Vault Championship EVER!!! Northside Junior Vinh Nguyen WON the meet with a personal best vault of 7'0. Nguyen was awarded a Medal, and will also receive a City Champion patch. Nguyen was impressive throughout the competition, and on several of his misses he actually cleared the cross bar, but didn't let go of the pole. Northside Junior Santino Merino had three quality attempts at 5'6. Whitney Young's Christine Rook (9'0, will be vaulting for Hillsdale College in 2008), and Ivory Mills (7'0), finished 1st and 2nd respectively. Senior Natalie Hanigan placed 3rd with a NEW SCHOOL RECORD of 6'0! Hanigan was awarded a medal for placing third. Whitney Young's Natalie Pace placed fourth overall with a vault of 5'6. Northside Freshman Bessie Nolan had three quality attempts at 5'6. The entire competition was video taped by the CPS, and is available on DVD. A special thanks to Whitney Young Head Womens Track Coach Bob Geiger for all of his efforts in promoting Pole Vault in the CPS, and his outstanding sportsmanship. Northside College Prep has no Pole Vault equipment of their own, and borrowed all of their equipment for the 2007 season, including poles, from Bob Geiger. Geiger also opened up his gym 2-3 nights a week throughout the season, and shared valuable vault time with the Mustangs. The Mustangs are looking forward to vaulting in the 2007 IHSA State Sectionals.