CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

In the High Jump, the opening height was set at 5'2. Eight Athletes were able to clear it, and then the bar was raised to 5'4. Manley Senior Patrick Givens made three quality attempts at 5'4, and finished in eight place with an outstanding jump of 5'2. The remaining seven athletes cleared 5'4, or passed to a higher height. The bar was then raised to 5'6. Hope Junior Allen Watson and Mather Junior Eddie Seda made three quality attempts at 5'6, and tied for sixth place with a jump of 5'4. The tie was broken by awarding sixth place to the athlete with the least total number of misses in the competition. Mather Junior Eddie Seda had the least total number of misses, and was awarded sixth place, and a Medal for scoring and earning All City honors. The bar was then raised to 5'8. Mather Junior Steven Devroe, Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Sophomore Mark Gaines, Kenwood Academy Junior Tarik Simpkins, Harlan Junior Trevor Gills, and Northside Senior Eric Nelson remained in the competition. Northside Senior Eric Nelson came into the meet, having his best practice of the season on the Friday prior to the meet, training and jumping with former NCAA Division I two-time National qualifier Coach Cordell Lewis. However, on his very first attempt at 5'8, Northside Senior Eric Nelson injuried his hamstring. Eric Nelson decided to stay in the competition, and felt it was just tweaked at that point in the meet. Eric cleared 5'8 on his second attempt. Kenwood Academy Junior Tarik Simpkins also cleared 5'8. Harlan Academy Trevor Gills also cleared 5'8. Whitney Young Junior Stephan Devroe (5th), and Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Sophomore Mark Gaines (4th) made three quality attempts at 5'8, and earned Medals and All City honors by finishing in 5th and 4th place respectively. The bar was then raised to 5'10. Kenwood Academy Junior Tarik Simpkins made three quality attempts at 5'10, and the crowd applauded his efforts. Tarik Simpkins was awarded a Medal, and All City honors for placing third overall with an outstanding jump of 5'8. The bar was then raised to 6'0 with only two athletes remaining. Harlan Academy Junior Trevor Gills and Northside Senior Eric Nelson both cleared 6'0, and the entire stadium crowd cheered. The bar was then raised to 6'2. Northside Senior Eric Nelson cleared it, and again the stadium crowd cheered. Harlan Academy Junior Trevor Gills made three quality attempts at 6'2, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation for his outstanding efforts. Trevor Gills was awarded a Medal for placing second overall, and earned All City honors. As a result of his hamstring injury, Eric Nelson took no further jumps, and was scratched by the Northside coaching staff from both the Triple Jump and 4x400m relay. The Northside coaching staff did not want to take any chances with the hamstring injury, and it will be looked at by an ATI physical trainer on Monday afternoon for further evaluation. Northside Senior Eric Nelson was awarded a Medal for WINNING the 2009 Indoor City High Jump Title for the second consecutive year!! His mental toughness and determination was incredible.