CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Saturday, April 3, 2010, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men's Track & Field Team traveled to River Park Track in Chicago, Illinois for the 10th Annual Mather Invitational. The Mather Invitational features over 900 athletes, and over 25 Teams. All of the best Track Teams in Chicago were in attendance. Relays and Individual events were scored 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. Medals were awarded to the top 6 Relays and Individuals. Team Trophies were awarded to the top three teams. A special thanks to North Park University Head Coach Skip Stolley and Mather Head Coach Dale DeVinney for hosting an outstanding meet.

 Prior to the meet, Lane Tech, Kenwood Academy, and Urban Prep were heavy favorites. Mather High School came into the meet as underdogs, and put it all togther on Saturday, and celebrated the 10th Annual Mather Invitational with a victory. Congratulations to Mather Head Coach Dale DeVinney and staff on winning the 10th Annual Mather Invitational.

 Mather won the meet with 104.50 points. Kenwood Academy finished in second place with 81 points. Lane Tech finished in third place with 76 points. Defending Indoor City Champions, Urban Prep finished in fourth place with a score of 58 points. Urban Prep was missing 800m runner Eric Brown.

 At Indoor City Championships, Northside lost to Urban Prep by a score of 62-27. Northside closed the gap at the Mather Invitational by coming within 2 points of Urban Prep with 56 points for fifth place. 

 The Northside Varsity Men had an impressive record of 22-4 on the day, and posted victories over, among others: 6. Perspectives (43.50 points), 7. Lincoln Park (37 points), 8. Lakeview (34 points), 9. Fenger (31 points), 10. Von Steuben (26 points), 11. University High (22.50 points), 12. Seton Academy (18 points), 13. Francis Park (17 points), 14. Marshall (16 points), 15. Hyde Park (15 points), 16. Prosser (11 points), 17. Steinmetz (8 points), 18. Kelly (5 points), 19. Westinhouse (3 points), 20. Foreman (0.50 points), 21. CICS Northtown (0 points), 22. Senn (0 points), 23. Schurz (0 points), 24. Marine Military Academy (0 points), 25. Roosevelt (0 points), 26. Gage Park (0 points), and 27. Chicago Academy (0 points).

 In the High Jump, the conditions were difficult with steady rains early in the meet. A jumper from Lakeview hit a patch of water during his approach, and went right into the standards. Northside Senior Hunter Speese jumped 5'4 to tie for third place with four athletes. Northside Sophomore Mac Melto jumped 5'2, and was pulled from the competition, and still tied for eighth place. Northside Junior Nicco Simon came in at 5'0, and made three outstanding attempts. He had the height on each attempt, but landed on the bar.

 In the Long Jump, Northside Sophomore Josh Williams jumped 18'0. Northside Junior Nicco Simon jumped 15'8.50. Northside Sophomore Derek Lin jumped 14'7.

 In the Shot Put, Northside Senior Andrew Czyszczon placed eighth overall with an outstanding throw of 34'02.50. Northside Freshman Kapil Garg threw the Shot Put 24'00.50.

 In the Discus, Northside Senior Andrew Czyszczon finished in ninth place with a throw of 81'07. Northside Freshman Kapil Garg had a throw of 54'08.

 In the Triple Jump, Northside Sophomore Josh Williams jumped 36'07.75. Northside Sophomore Derek Lin jumped 34'08.00.

 In the Open Mile, the race was open to all athletes ages 14 - 72. Craig Williams, Father of Josh Williams, came out of the stands to lead the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 5:25. It was the fastest mile ever run by a Northside parent. Craig Williams ran the first 800m in 2:41, and then ran a 87 seconds quarter for a 1200m split of 4:08, and then ran the final 400m in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 77 seconds to break the school record for the fastest mile ever run by a parent, with an outstanding time of 5:25. The record was previously held by David Parks (5:33), Father of Anna Parks, and has lasted since 2006. Craig Williams was a former collegiate Track star, and ran well under 15 minutes for 5000 meters in college. Craig Williams was awarded a Medal for placing in the top 20 in the race. Northside Junior Luis Gaytan ran an outstanding time of 5:34. Northside Sophomore Ezra Edgerton ran a personal best time of 5:35. Northside Freshman Patrick Brennan ran an outstanding time of 5:53. Northside Junior Eduardo Herrera ran an outstanding time of 5:54. Northside Freshman Calvin Gang ran a time of 5:58. Northside Freshman Andy Voung ran a time of 7:10.

 In the 4x800m Relay, Northside Sophomore Pat Duffy ran a time of 2:17 in heavy rains on the first leg of the relay. Northside was in sixth place was Northside Junior Charlie Mesimore received the baton. Charlie Mesimore ran the first 400m in 60 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 70 seconds for a 2:10 800m split, and moved the Mustangs into third place, with a perfect exchange to Northside Sophomore Dan Graham. Dan Graham ran an 800m split of 2:32 on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Junior Dominic Sieminski. Dominic Sieminski ran a 800m split of 2:31 in heavy rains to anchor the Mustangs to 5th place with a total time of 9:29.79. Pat Duffy, Charlie Mesimore, Dan Graham, and Dominic Sieminski were awarded Medals for placing fifth overall.

 In the 4x100m Relay, Northside was disqualifed for failing to make the final exchange before the end of the yellow triangle (exchange zone).

 In the 3200m run, Francis Parker Junior Jon Levin won it with an outstanding time of 10:04.59. Northside Captain Cooper Eben ran a personal best time of 10:11 to place second overall!!! Northside Senior Cooper Eben ran the first 400m in 74 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds (2:32 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 76 seconds (3:48 1200m), and then ran the next 400m in 75 seconds for a 5:03 at the Mile. Cooper Eben then ran the next 400m in 77 seconds (6:20 2000m), and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds (7:38 1200m), and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds (8:56 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 75 seconds for a PERSONAL BEST time of 10:11.25 to place second overall. Cooper Eben was awarded a Medal for placing second overall. Mather Sophomore Abe Haji finished in third place with an outstanding time of 10:20.77. Mather Sophomore Juan Mendez finished in fourth place with an outstanding time of 10:23.07. University High Junior Thomas Aquino finished in fifth place with a time of 10:32.74. Lane Tech Sophomore Danny Zimny-Schmitt finished in sixth place with a time of 10:34.81. Northside Junior Erik Zuehlke ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 10:46.34 to place seventh overall. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 5:17, and then ran the final mile in 5:29 for a personal best time of 10:46.34 to secure vital points for the Mustangs. Mather Sophomore Bana Negash finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an outstanding time of 10:51.89. Northside Sophomore Taylor Kuehn ran an outstanding time of 11:20.22 to finish right behind Kenwood Junior Omar Tall (11:19.23).

 In the 110m Hurdles, Northside Senior Andrew Czyszczon ran an outstanding time of 21.94. Northside Sophomore Luis Mesa ran a time of 24.11. Northside Captain Hersh Perlmutter was in second place in his heat, and then his trail leg hit the final hurdle, and Perlmutter hit the ground hard, and recovered for an official time of 24.55.

 In the 100m Dash, Northside Sophomore Mac Melto placed third in his heat, and seventh overall with an outstanding time of 11.94. Northside Freshman Nathaniel Agharese ran an outstanding time of 12.40.

 In the 800m run, Seton Academy Junior Brian Barney won it with a time of 2:06.36. Northside Captain Wesley Laytham placed second overall with an official time of 2:08.05. Northside Junior Wesley Laytham was awarded a Medal for placing second overall. Francis Parker Senior Mark McHale finished in third place with a time of 2:08.44. Kenwood Sophomore Yusef Hood finished in fourth place with a time of 2:09.26. Fenger Senior Rodney Lloyd finished in fith place with a time of 2:10.97. Kelly Sophomore Enrique Florentino finished in sixth place with a time of 2:11.44. Lincoln Park Senior Brandon Schnake finished in seventh place with a time of 2:11.84. Francis Parker Junior Zach Peppin finished in eighth place with a time of 2:12.12 to complete the scoring. Northside Sophomore Pat Duffy ran an outstanding time of 2:14.89. Northside Junior Ed Moreno ran an outstanding time of 2:22.96.

 In the 4x200m Relay, at Indoor City, Northside wasn't able to score a point in the 4x200m relay. That changed on Saturday, at the Mather Invitational. The Northside College Prep 4x200m Relay ran their fastest time of the season, a 1:41.74, and posted victories, among others, over: Urban Prep (1:41.92), Mather (1:43.76), Lakeview (1:44.99), Lane Tech "A" (1:45.85), Lane Tech "B" (1:50.15), and CICS-Longwood (1:50.15). The Northside 4x200m Relay was also within 2 seconds of the school record. Northside Freshman Nathaniel Agharese ran an outstanding 200m split of 24.32 on the first leg of the 4x200m relay, and made a difficult exchange to Sophomore Josh Williams. Sophomore Josh Williams ran an outstanding 200m split of 26.87 on the second leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Junior Charlie Mesimore. Captain Charlie Mesimore ran an outstanding 200m split of 26.25 on the third leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Senior Hunter Speese. Northside Senior Hunter Speese ran an outstanding 200m split of 24.30, to anchor the Mustangs to fifth place overall with an official time of 1:41.74. Nathaniel Agharese, Josh Williams, Charlie Mesimore, and Hunter Speese were awarded medals for placing fifth overall.

 In the 400m Dash, Northside Sophomore Mac Melto upset Lane Tech Junior Dylan Allingham (53.02) with an outstanding time of 52.87 to place third overall! Mac Melto was also within 0.40 of a second of his own school record. Northside Sophomore Mac Melto was awarded a Medal for placing third overall. Northside Sophomore Dan Graham was on pace to break 60 seconds, but tripped on the final 50 yards, and quickly recovered for a time of 64.26.

 In the 300m Hurdles, Mather Junior Rahiem Foster won it with an outstanding time of 41.06. Northside Junior Hersh Perlmutter BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 45.60 to place eighth overall. Hersh Perlmutter was awarded a Watermelon at practice for breaking the school record, and will receive a plaque at the June 4, 2010 Track & Field banquet. Northside Senior Andrew Czyszczon ran an outstanding time of 50.01.

 In the 1600m run, Lake View Junior Oscar Medina won it with an outstanding time of 4:43.24. Northside Junior Wesley Laytham placed second overall with an outstanding time of 4:46.60. Wesley Laythan ran the first 400m in 73 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in an even split of 73 seconds (2:26 800m), and then ran the next 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 70 seconds (3:36 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in an even split of 70 seconds for an official time of 4:46.60. Wesley Laytham ran the first 800m in 2:26, and then ran the final 800m in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 2:20 for an outstanding of 4:46.60. Wesley Laytham was awarded a Medal for placing 2nd overall. Lakeview Sophomore Eduardo Chavez finished in third place with a time of 4:46.89. University High Junior Robert Meyer finished in fourth place with a time of 4:49.62. Mather Sophomore Abe Haji finished in fifth place with a time of 4:53.49. Northside Senior Cooper Eben finished in sixth place with an outstanding time of 4:54.50. Cooper Eben ran the first 400m in 73 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 74 seconds (2:27 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 75 seconds (3:42 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 72 seconds for an official time of 4:54.50. Cooper Eben was awarded a Medal for placing sixth overall. Kelly Sophomore Enrigue Florentino, who also raced in the 800m run, ran an outstanding time of 4:57.49 to place seventh overall. Mather Sophomore Juan Mendez, who also raced in the 3200m run, ran outstanding time of 4:57.57 to place eighth overall to complete the scoring. Northside Junior Erik Zuehlke, who also raced in the 3200m run, ran an outstanding time of 5:09.02.

 In the 200m Dash, Northside Sophomore Mac Melto placed eighth overall with an outstanding time of 24.17. Northside Senior Hunter Speese ran an outstanding time 25.24.

 In the 4x400m Relay, Northside finished fifth in their heat, and seventh overall with an outstanding time of 3:47.91. Northside Sophomore Pat Duffy ran a 55.32 400m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Nathaniel Agherse. Freshman Nathaniel Agherse ran a 58.80 400m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Junior Charlie Mesimore. Charlie Mesimore ran a 58.40 400m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Junior Wesley Laytham. Captain Weslay Laytham anchored the Mustangs with a 54.78 400m split, to fifth in their heat, and seventh overall with an official total time of 3:47.91.

  After the Meet, the Northside Varsity Men and Varsity Women had a Tailgate Party at the picnic tables behind Northside College Prep. There was over six car loads of food and drink for the entire Team, parents, alumni, and coaching staff. A special thanks to all of the Northside parents for the best Tailgate Party in the history of Northside.  

VARSITY POINTS SCORED AT MATHER INVITATIONAL 

1. Wesley Laytham                           16.50

2. Cooper Eben                                11.00 

3. Mac Melto                                     9.50

4. Hunter Speese                                5.50

5. Charlie Mesimore                           2.50

6. Josh Williams                                  2.00   

6. Erik Zuehlke                                   2.00

7. Pat Duffy                                        1.50

7. Nathaniel Agharese                         1.50

8. Hersh Perlmutter                            1.00

8. Andrew Czyszczon                        1.00