CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Friday, May 8, 2009, the Northside College Prep Sophomore-Freshman Boys traveled to Hanson Stadium for the Finals of the CPS Sophomore-Freshman Championships. Over 25 Teams qualified for the finals, including Bogan, Clark, Harper, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Du Sable, Cuire, North Lawndale, Steinmetz, Orr, Jones, Gage Park, Roosevelt, Roberto Clemente, Calumet, Dunbar, Kenwood Academy, Robeson, Ubran Prep, Northside College Prep, Lane Tech,  Mather, Whitney Young, Morgan Park, and Harlan. Individual Events and Relays were scored 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.   

  Two years ago, in 2007, the Northside College Prep Sophomore-Freshman Boys Track Team finished in 13th place, with 12 points, and finished 100 points in back of Lane Tech. On Friday, May 8, 2009, the Mustangs closed that gap to a mere 5.5 points (63.00 to 57.50) and had one of their best Team performances in the history of Northside College Prep. 

   The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys (57.50 points) posted victories over Urban Prep (45 points), Robeson (39 points), Kenwood Academy (27 points), Dunbar (20 points), Calumet (15 points), Roberto Clemente (10 points), Roosevelt (9 points), Gage Park (9 points), Jones (7 points), Orr (7 points), Steinmetz (7 points), North Lawndale (7 points), Curie (6 points), Du Sable (5 points), Lake View (4 points), Lincoln Park (3 points), Harper (3 points), Clark (2.5 points) and Bogan (1 point).

  Harlan won the 2009 CPS Sophomore-Freshman Championships with 91 points! It was their first Sophomore-Freshman Track Title since 1972! Congratulations to Coach Mark Thompson and the Harlan Falcons!!

  In the High Jump, Morgan Park's Dezmond Henderson won it with an outstanding jump of 5'8. Morgan Park Freshman Dareil Crowder and Mather Sophomore Marcus Johnson tied for second place with outstanding jumps of 5'6. Northside Freshman Mac Melto finished in fourth place overall with a PERSONAL BEST jump of 5'4. Lane Tech Sophomore George Chronis finished in fifth place with a jump of 5'2. Northside Freshman Josh Williams tied for sixth place with a PERSONAL BEST jump of 5'2! Williams went from a personal record of 4'10 to 5'2 in one meet!Clark Sophomore Cyle Ashley tied for sixth place with an outstanding jump of 5'2. Kenwood Academy Freshman Deon Morrissette finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a jump of 5'2. A special thanks to Lane Tech Head Coach Kris Roof, who showed great sportsmanship by loaning Mac Melto and Josh Williams tape so they could mark their approach, and measure their steps prior to the High Jump competition.

  In the Long Jump, a Morgan Park Sophomore Steven Newman made history with a jump of 20'06.50 to win the Sophomore title. The Mustangs had no qualifiers in the Long Jump.  

  In the Triple Jump, Northside Freshman Josh Williams finished in 10th place with a personal best jump of 34'06! Williams was seeded 40th when the prelims began on Saturday, May 2, 2009, and shocked the field by qualifying for the finals, and then shocked the field again in the finals, by cracking the top ten with another personal record of 34'06!

  In the Discus, Northside Sophomore Allen Tu finished in 9th place with a personal best 83'06. A special thanks to Urban Prep Sophomore Hiram White, who loaned Allen Tu a Discus so he could compete in the competition. Hiram White finished fourth in the the Discus with an outstanding throw of 107'03.

  In the Shot Put, Morgan Park Sophomore Justin Thomas won it with an impressive throw of 39'02. The Mustangs had no qualifiers in the Shot Put.

  In the 4x800m Relay, the Mustangs were without Freshman phenom Jusuf Skelic due to illness.  With Sophomore alternate Michael Loftus not in attendance, and alternates Charlie Mesimore and Taylor Kuehn scheduled to run the 3200m run, it looked like the Mustangs 4x800m Relay would have to be scratched. Northside has had a constant problem of alternates failing to show up to the meets. However, Northside Sophomore alternate Fahad Sarvari became the hero, and saved the day for the Mustangs. Sarvari arrived just in time for the Mustangs 1:45 pm bus departure. At 3:15 pm, Northside Freshman Pat Duffy, Sophomore Fahad Sarvari, Sophomore Erik Zuehlke, and Sophomore Danny Sobor checked in and received their race numbers for the start of the 4x800m Relay. Northside Freshman Pat Duffy toed the starting line with a silver baton for the first race of the day. The Mustangs finish in the 4x800m Relay would become one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the sport. Northside Freshman Pat Duffy ran a 65 for the first 400m, and then ran a 68 on the final 400m to tie his personal best time of 2:13.82, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Fahad Sarvari. Sophomore Fahad Sarvari ran a 67 for the first 400m, and then ran a 72 on the final 400m for a PERSONAL BEST time of 2:19.56, and made a perfect exchange to Sophomore Erik Zuehlke. Erik Zuehlke ran the first 400m in 66 seconds, and then ran the final 400m in 70 seconds for a PERSONAL BEST time of 2:16.03 to put the Mustangs in second place, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Danny Sobor. Sophomore Danny Sobor ran the first 400m in an impressive 66 seconds, and was on pace for a PR, and was fighting off strong anchors from Mather, Jones, and Lane Tech as he ran towards the finish line. It appeared that Danny Sobor would break 2:20 for the first time, and then he fell one step short of the finish line as the clock continued to run with Teams coming across the finish line, and it looked like Lane Tech's anchor was going to pass him before he would be able to get up and reach the finish line.  Danny Sobor showed guts and determination, and dove across the finish line ahead of the Lane Tech's anchor with a 2:25.43 800m split to edge Lane Tech 9:13.05 to 9:13.07 in one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the sport, to finish in sixth overall and secure vital points for the Mustangs.

 In the 4x100m Relay, Robeson won it with an outstanding time of 45.32.

 One of the Mustangs MVPs of the CPS Sophomore-Freshman Championship series was Sophomore Charlie Mesimore. He anchored the Mustangs 4x800m Relay and 4x400m Relay in the prelims to qualify both relays to the Finals. American Distance legend Steve Prefontaine had a Mile PR of 4:32.00 his Sophomore year of High School. In the prelims, Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore ran a 4:39 Mile, and is now within 7 seconds of Prefontaine. In the Finals, Sophomore Charlie Mesimore became the first Northside athlete to ever win both the 3200m run and the Mile!! 

  In the 3200m Run, Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore defended his 2008 3200m title with an oustanding time of 10:28 to win it! Charlie Mesimore pushed the pace early, and through 2000 meters was on pace to approach the ten minute barrier. It was his strongest race of the season. Charlie Mesimore ran the first 400m in 71 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 76 seconds (2:27 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 77 seconds (3:44 1200m), and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds (5:02 Mile!), and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds (6:20 2000m), and then ran the next 400m in 80 seconds (7:40 2400m), and then ran the next 400m in 86 seconds (9:06), and then ran the final 400m in 82 seconds for an outstanding time of 10:28.59 to WIN the CPS Sophomore-Freshman 3200m run title. Charlie Mesimore was awarded a blue ribbon for finishing first overall! Mather Freshman Bana Negash finished in second place with an outstanding time of 10:52.40. Whitney Young Sophomore Liam Burns finished in third place with an outstanding time of 10:57.77. Whitney Young Sophomore Joe Platt finished in fourth place with an outstanding time of 10:59.07. Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished in fifth place overall with an outstanding time of 11:00.62. Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:22, and then ran a 5:38 for the final mile for an oustanding time of 11:00.62! Taylor Kuehn showed great determination and guts throughout the race, and upset Harlan Freshman phenom Dominique Crutcher (11:08.27, 7th place) to finish as the second fastest freshman in the meet!!! Taylor Kuehn is also the second Freshman in Northside history to make the Mustangs 3200m honor roll as a Freshman! Taylor Kuehn was awarded a ribbon for finishing fifth overall! Mather Sophomore Abdel Elyoussoufi finished in sixth place with an outstanding time of 11:02.30. Jones Freshman Luke Helliker finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 11:30.37.

  In the 110m Hurdles, Harlan Sophomore Brandan Presley won it with an outstanding time of 15.55. Morgan Park Freshman Dareil Crowder finished in second place with a time of 16.27. Morgan Park Freshman DaeShawn Hurley finished in third place with a time of 16.48. Whitney Young Sophomore Anthony Regulus finished in fourth place with a time of 16.69. Urban Prep Sophomore Israel Durley finished in fifth place with a time of 16.92. Mather Sophomore Marcus Griffith finished in sixth place with a time of 16.92. Northside Sophomore Hersh Perlmutter finished in seventh place with an outstanding time of 17.28. Harlan Sophomore Welton Crayton finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 18.83.

  In the 100m Dash, Harlan Freshman Freeman Fulwiley won it with a time of 11.47.

  In the 800m run, Kenwood Sophomore Omar Tall won it with an outstanding time of 2:09.63. Whitney Young Sophomore Sam Redmond finished in second place with a time of 2:09.92. Mather Sophomore Andrew Papageorgeiou finished in third place with a time of 2:09.98. Roosevelt Freshman Jeffery Rector finished in fourth place with a time of 2:10.52. Lake View Freshman Eduardo Chavez finished in fifth place with a time of 2:11.32. Northside Freshman Pat Duffy finished in sixth place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 2:11.93. Pat Duffy was awarded a Ribbon for finishing in sixth place overall. Jones Timothy Warren finished in seventh place with a time of 2:11.96. Lane Tech Sophomore George Chronis finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 2:14.89.

   In the 4x200m Relay, Robeson won it with an outstanding time of 1:34.67.

   In the 400m Dash, Calumet Freshman Spencer Williams won it with an outstanding time of 51.30. Harlan Sophomore Welton Crayton finished in second place with a time of 51.81. Northside Freshman Mac Melto BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a PERSONAL BEST time of 52.47 to place third overall!! Mac Melto was awarded a ribbon for placing third overall. Mac Melto will be honored at practice on Monday, with a watermelon for breaking the school record, and will also receive a record breaker plaque at the June 4, 2009 Track & Field banquet. Mather Sophomore Rahim Foster finished in fourth place with a time of 53.28. Lane Tech Freshman Tomacz Clyo finished in fifth place with a time of 53.59. DuSable Sophomore Tyvelle Emerson finished in sixth place with a time of 54.24. Urban Prep Sophomore Siende Lemon finished in seventh place with a time of 54.72. Clemente Freshman finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 55.69.

   In the 300m Hurdles, Harlan Sophomore Brandan Presley won it with an outstanding time of 41.56. Urban Prep Sophomore Israel Durley finished in second place with a time of 43.75. Whitney Young Sophomore Anthony Regulus finished in third place with a time of 45.19. Morgan Park Freshman DaeShawn Hurley finished in fourth place with a time of 45.55. Northside Sophomore Hersh Perlmutter BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a PERSONAL BEST time of 46.33 to place fifth overal!! Hersh Perlmutter was awarded a ribbon for placing fifth overall. Hersh Perlmutter will be honored at practice on Monday, with a watermelon for breaking the school record, and will also receive a record breaker plaque at the June 4, 2009 Track & Field banquet. Morgan Park Freshman Dareil Crowder finished in sixth place with a time of 47.61. Lane Tech Freshman Michal Sliwiak finished in seventh place with a time of 49.19. Lane Tech Sophomore Dennis McGinniss finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 53.77.

   In the Mile, Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore WON it with an outstanding time of 4:48. Charlie Mesimore ran the first 400m in 69 seconds, and the next 400m in 73 seconds (2:22 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 73 seconds (3:35 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in 73 seconds for an outstanding time of 4:48. Charlie Mesimore is the first Northside athlete to win BOTH the 3200m and the Mile in the CPS Sophomore-Freshman Championships. Charlie Mesimore was awarded a blue ribbon for winning the Mile. Mather Freshman Juan Mendez finished in second place with a personal best time of 4:56.99. Kenwood Sophomore Joseph Laseter finished in third place with a time of 4:58.88. Mather Sophomore Tarik Estrada finished in fourth place with a personal best time of 4:59.54. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished in fifth place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 5:00.69. Erik Zuehlke ran the first 400m in 73 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 75 seconds (2:28 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 81 seconds (3:49 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in a negative split of 71 seconds for a personal best time of 5:00.69. Erik Zuehlke was awarded a ribbon for finishing in fifth place overall. Lane Tech Sophomore Jimmy Orellana finished in sixth place with a time of 5:02.38. Harlan Freshman Dominique Crutcher finished in seventh place with a time of 5:04.54. Lane Tech Freshman Kevin Perez finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 5:07.33.

  In the 200m Dash, Urban Prep Sophomore Cedric Beard won it with an outstanding time of 23.61. Dunbar Freshman Darvell Harris finished in second place with a time of 24.03. Robeson Freshman Jamelle Spencer finished in third place with a time of 24.45. Dunbar Freshman Dion Williams finished in fourth place with a time of 24.51. Harlan Freshman Freeman Fulwiley finished in fifth place with a time of 24.59. Northside Freshman Mac Melto finished in sixth place with an outstanding time of 24.64. Du Sable Sophomore Tyvelle Emerson finished in seventh place with a time of 24.96. Clemente Freshman Melvin Jackson finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with a time of 25.13.

 In the 4x400m Relay, Robeson won it with a time of 3:41.38. Northside Freshman Luis Mesa ran a 67.58 400m split on the first leg of the relay. Northside Sophomore Danny Sobor ran a 69.60 400m split on the second leg of the relay. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke ran a 67.66 400m split on the third leg of the relay. Northside Freshman Pat Duffy ran a 60.71 400m split to anchor the Mustangs to eighth place with a time of 4:25.80.

(Coming Soon: Sophomore-Freshman point totals)