CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Friday, January 21, 2011, the Northside Track & Field Team continued a Final Exams tradition, by gathering at the main entrance of Northside College Prep, for departure to North Park University for the 6th Annual King of the Quarter!

 A special thanks to North Park University Head Track Coach Skip Stolley and staff, for hosting this great event. The event was complete with the best P.A. announcer in Illinois giving the play by play of every race, and updates throughout the evening, with the complete standings for King of the Quarter.

 Former NCAA Champion, and Distance legend Dave Valentine, fired the gun on every heat of 2011 King of the Quarter. In 1980, Dave Valentine ran a cross country personal record of 14:04 for three miles. He was favored to win the State Cross Country Title, and break Craig Virgins course record. However, a hamstring injury ended his season early. Dave Valentine went on to win the NCAA title in the 10,000m run. Valentine was impressed with the Mustangs performance on Friday and the spirit of the Team.    

 Every available member of the Northside Track & Field Team, regardless if they were thrower, distance runner, sprinter, jumper, or hurdler, raced in one of thirty-four heats of the 400m Dash and competed in one of the seventeen flights of the Shot Put.

 The King of the Quarter and Shot Put gives Northside athletes an appreciation for each others events, and makes the TEAM stronger.

 The distance runners also benefit from the 400m Time Trial, by learning their maximum quarter speed. With the knowledge of their maximum quarter speed, the coaching staff is able to provide proper racing strategy for the 800m run. 

 Medals were awarded to the top three Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman in the 400m Dash. 

  Although the event was just a time trial, the crowd was so large at Alford Indoor Track at North Park University, that spectators had to stand in the balcony of the stadium to see the 400m time trial.

 Despite the size of the crowd, you could hear a pin drop, when it was announced Junior Mac Melto and Senior Wesley Laytham would be in the next heat.

 Prior to 2010, the fastest Northside time ever recorded at King of the Quarter was a 57.50. That changed dramatically last year, when Mac Melto broke the record for King of the Quarter with a 54.78!

 In 2011, a new record was established at King of the Quarter!!! 

 Mac Melto broke his own King of the Quarter record, with an outstanding time of 54.36! Mac Melto dropped 0.42 of a second from last year! Mac Melto will be awarded a Medal as the fastest Junior, and King of the Quarter.

 In 2010, the fastest Senior ran a time of 59.84 at King of the Quarter. In 2011, that changed dramatically.

 Wesley Laytham was the fastest Senior and ran the second fastest time overall with an outstanding time 55.60! Wesley Laytham dropped 1.90 seconds (57.50) from his last King of the Quarter Competition. Wesley Laytham will also be awarded a Medal as the fastest Senior.

 Charlie Mesimore was the second fastest Senior, and ran the third fastest time overall with an outstanding time of 56.80! Charlie Mesimore dropped 6.98 seconds (63.78) from his last King of the Quarter Competition. Charlie Mesimore ran 500 miles this past winter, in preperation for Track & Field season. Charlie Mesimore finished in second place in the Senior division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Dan Graham was one of the most improved athletes at King of the Quarter. In 2010, Dan Graham ran a time of 64.50 at King of the Quarter. In 2011, Dan Graham was the second fastest Junior, and ran the fourth fastest time overall with a personal best time of 58.55! Dan Graham dropped 5.95 seconds from last year! Dan Graham finished in second place in the Junior division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Nathaniel Agharese finished in fifth place overall, and was the fastest Sophomore at King of the Quarter with an outstanding time of 59.65! Nathaniel Agharese finished in first place in the Sophomore division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Pat Duffy finished in sixth place overall, and was the third fastest Junior at King of the Quarter. Pat Duffy ran an outstanding time of 61.11! Pat Duffy finished in third place in the Junior division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Josh Williams finished in ninth place overall, and was the fourth fastest Junior at King of the Quarter with an outstanding time of 62.09! Josh Williams dropped 2.29 seconds (65.09) from last year!

 Calvin Gang finished in tenth place overall, and was the second fastest Sophomore at King of the Quarter with a personal best time of 64.00! Calvin Gang dropped 3.69 seconds (67.69) from last year! Calvin Gang earned a Medal by placing in second place in the Sophomore division.