CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Wednesday, February 16, 2011, the Northside College Prep Varsity Mens and Sophomore-Freshman Boys Track Team traveled to Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois for the Spartan Indoor Classic.   

 The Spartan Indoor Classic featured Highland Park, Maine West, Northside College Prep, and host Glenbrook North High School. Maine West competed mostly in field events. 

 The meet was completed very efficiently, in less than 2 hours, and had non-stop action on the Track, which put the crowd on their feet at all times, and created a fun atmosphere for all participating Teams.

 The entire meet was finished, including the 4x400m relay, before the Shot Put Competition was even completed. A special thanks to Glenbrook North Head Coach Matt Purdy for hosting an oustanding meet.  

  It was also a very friendly atmosphere as several reunions took place throughout the meet. Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon attended Glenbrook North from 1986-1990, and is a member of their athletic college wall of fame. Ken Roy and Kevin Wright (former coaches of Jon Gordon) served as the starter, and timer, respectively, for the meet.

 The meet was scored only on the Varsity level, in an effort to provide non-stop action on the track. The following point scale was used for individual events: 6-4-3-2-1, and 6-4-2 was used for scoring relays. 

 The finishes between Northside College Prep, Highland Park, and Glenbrook North were spectacular.

 In the Long Jump, on the very first jump of the meet, Northside Junior Josh Williams BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a Jump of 19'8! It was the second consecutive meet, in which Josh Williams started the meet with a new school record! The only question remaining was whether the Jump would win the meet. An athlete from Highland Park jumped 19'0, and the Mustangs new it could come down to the final jump of the meet. After all the athletes completed their final jumps, the Long Jump pit closed, and Josh Williams was declared the 2011 Spartan Indoor Classic Long Jump Champion!! Josh Williams will also be awarded a Watermelon in practice on Friday for breaking the school record!! Northside Senior Luke Sobieraj jumped 16'5.75. Northside Freshman Walter Johnson-Geis jumped 12'10. Northside Freshman Truman Brady jumped 12'4.5. Northside Freshman Jay Yu jumped 10'11.

 In the Triple Jump, Northside Junior Josh Williams finished in second place with a jump of 37'4. Northside Junior Mac Melto finished in fifth place with a jump of 32'8. Northside Freshman Truman Brady jumped a personal best 28'8.25. Northside Freshman Jay Yu jumped a personal best 26'6.5.

 In the Shot Put, none of the Northside throwers cracked the top 5 for scoring, but several athletes had big days. Northside Senior Damian Azubuike threw an outstanding 32'10. Northside Senior Luke Kotowski threw a personal best 31'4. Kotowski improved 0'8.5 from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! Northside Senior Ottmar Flores joined the 30'0 club, with a personal best throw of 30'5. Ottmar Flores improved by over 3'0 from the Northside King of the Shot Put competition! Northside Senior Luke Sobieraj threw a personal best 28'9. Northside Senior Jameel Ahmed threw a personal best 28'5. Northside Sophomore Kapil Garg threw 27'1. Northside Sophomore Brandon Licuanan threw a personal best 25'2. Licuanan improved by over 3'0! Northside Freshman Henry Lothschutz threw 24'2. Northside Senior Mohammed Ahmed threw 24'0. Northside Junior Andres Del Gado threw 23'5. Andres Del Gado improved by 1'0.5! Northside Freshman Robert Szmurlo threw an outstanding 21'9.

 In the High Jump, Glenbrook North Sophomore Keebe won it with a jump of 6'2! Highland Park's Bricker finished in second place with a jump of 5'8. Northside Freshman Lucien Fitzpatrick finished in third place with a jump of 5'2! Fitzpatrick had only one miss in the competition through 5'2. Northside Senior Luke Sobieraj finished in fourth place with a jump of 5'2! Sobieraj had only three misses in the competition through 5'2. Highland Park's Shaw completed the scoring by finishing in fifth place with a jump of 5'2. Northside Junior Josh Williams cleared 4'10, but did not take another jump in the competition. Northside Freshman Truman Brady cleared a personal best 4'4! Northside Freshman Walter Johnson-Geis also cleared a personal best 4'4! Northside Freshman Jay Yu made three outstanding attempts at clearing 4'4.

 The 4x800m Relay set the tone early for the meet, and created energy throughout the Team. 

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 4x800m Relay, the Mustangs had the biggest time drop in Northside history! On Saturday, February 12, 2011, the Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys placed third overall at Bloom High School in the Lonnell Poole Invitational with a time of 10:32.95. Four days later, on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at the Spartan Indoor Classic, the Mustangs DROPPED 48.51 SECONDS to WIN the Sophomore-Freshman 4x800m Relay with an oustanding time of 9:44.44. Northside Sophomore Patrick Brennan led off the relay with an 800m split of 2:26.10, and made a perfect exchange to Freshman Cesar Rufino. Patrick Brennan DROPPED 6.28 seconds (2:32.38) from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! Freshman Cesar Rufino ran a personal best 2:27.26 800m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Freshman Joel Deleon. Joel Deleon ran a personal best 2:24.68 800m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Calvin Gang. Joel Deleon DROPPED 10.91 seconds (2:35.59) from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! Calvin Gang anchored the Mustangs to victory with a personal best 2:26.49 800m split, for a total time of 9:44.44! Calvin Gang DROPPED 10.72 seconds (2:37.12) from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys 4x800m Relay dropped 48.51 seconds to WIN the Spartan Indoor Classic with an outstanding time of 9:44.44! It was also a minute and six seconds faster than last year's Sophomore-Freshman squad at the Spartan Indoor Classic (10:50.20).  

 In the Varsity 4x800m Relay, Northside would take on Highland Park, and a loaded Glenbrook North 4x800m Relay, that included Joe Poupard, one of the top distance runners in Illinois. The Mustangs 4x800m Relay, featured ALL four Team Captains, Mac Melto, Pat Duffy, Charlie Mesimore, and Wesley Laytham. In preparation for the 2011 Track & Field season, Mac Melto ran Cross Country, and now has the endurance of a distance runner, and the speed of a sprinter. Mac Melto's potential in the 800m is unlimited. Junior Mac Melto ran his first 4x800m Relay race with 160m splits of 25, 27, 27, 28, and then ran the final 160m in a NEGATIVE split of 24 seconds for an outstanding 800m time of 2:11.09, and then made a perfect exchange to Junior Pat Duffy. Pat Duffy ran 160m splits of 24, 27, 28, 29, and then ran the final 160m in a NEGATIVE split of 28 seconds for an outstanding 800m time of 2:16.23, and then made a perfect exchange to Senior Charlie Mesimore. The Mustangs were in third place when Mesimore received the baton. Despite a calf injury, Mesimore stayed in the race and moved the Mustangs past Glenbrook North, and into second place. Charlie Mesimore ran 160m splits of 27, 25, 29, 28, and then ran the final 160m in 31 seconds for an outstanding 800m time of 2:19.68, and then made a perfect exchange to Senior Wesley Laytham. Wesley Laytham closed the gap between Northside and Highland Park, and ran 160m splits of 20, 27, 25, 26, and then ran the final 160m in an EVEN split of 26 for an 800m time of 2:04.80, to anchor the Mustangs to 2nd place overall, with an official time of 8:51.80.          

 In the Varsity 55m High Hurdles, a year ago, Hersh Perlmutter scored with a time of 8.82. This year, Perlmutter missed 3-5 days of practice, and the Lonnell Poole Invitational, and is still working his way back to top form. Perlmutter ran a 9.20.

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 55m High Hurdles, Freshman Walter Johnson-Geis DROPPED 0.87 of  a second from the Lonnell Poole Invitational finals, with an outstanding time of 10.83.

 In the Varsity 50m Dash, Sophomore Nathaniel Agharese finished in second place with a time of 6.20. Senior Jameel Ahmed ran a time of 7.06. Freshman Karl Heinz ran a time of 7.07. Senior Mohammed Ahmed ran a time of 7.12. Senior Damian Azubuike ran a time of 7.26. Senior Ottmar Flores ran a time of 7.40. Junior Andres Del Gado ran a time of 7.50. Sophomore Abdul Ibrahim ran a time of 7.73.

 In the Varsity 800m, Northside Senior Erik Zuehlke took the lead from start to finish, and WON it, with an outstanding time of 2:16.50. Erik Zuehlke ran 160m splits of 22, 27, 27, 30 and then ran the final 160m in an EVEN split of 30 for an official time of 2:16.50. Northside Junior Dan Graham finished in second place overall with an outstanding time of 2:19.0. Dan Graham ran 160m splits of 23, 28, 30, 32 and ran the final 160m in a NEGATIVE split of 26 for an official time of 2:19.0. 

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 800m run, Northside Freshman Robert Szmurlo DROPPED 7.86 seconds for a personal best time of 2:40. Northside Sophomore Henry Tankus ran an outstanding time of 2:43. Northside Freshman Angelo Perez ran a time of 2:48. Northside Freshman Henry Lothschutz ran a time of 2:53. Northside Freshman Christian La Luz ran a time of 2:54. Northside Freshman David Huang ran a time of 3:08.

 In the Varsity 400m, Northside Sophomore Nathaniel Agharese DROPPED 2.16 seconds to place second overall with a personal best time of 56.50. Northside Junior Josh Williams DROPPED 4.0 seconds to place third overall with a personal best time of 58.30. Northside Sophomore Javier Mulero ran a time of 68.20. Northside Freshman Jay Yu ran a time of 69.92.

 In the Varsity 55m Low Hurdles, Northside Senior Hersh Perlmutter finished in second place overall with an outstanding time of 8.40.

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 55m Low Hurdles, Northside Freshman Lucien Fitzpatrick ran a personal best time of 9.80. Northside Freshman Truman Brady ran a personal best time of 11.65.

 In the Varsity 1600m run, Northside Senior Wesley Laytham ran the first 800m in 2:20, and then ran the final 800m in 2:29, to place second overall to secure vital points for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 4:49.90. Laytham improved by 6 seconds and three places (5th in 2010) at the Spartan Indoor Classic!

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 1600m run, Northside Freshman Cesear Rufino came within one second of the record for the fastest Mile by a Northside Freshman at the Spartan Indoor Classic! Cesear Rufino ran the first 800m in 2:31, and then ran the final 800m in 2:52 for a Personal Best time of 5:23.20. Cesear Rufino also DROPPED 10.42 seconds from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! Freshman Joel Deleon ran the first 800m in 2:43, and then ran the final 800m in 2:55 for a Personal Best time of 5:38.30. Northside Sophomore Patrick Brennan ran the first 800m in 2:51, and then ran the final 800m in 2:52 for an outstanding time of 5:43.0. Northside Freshman Alex Gordon ran a Personal Best time of 5:50. Northside Freshman Alec Reinke ran a Personal Best time of 6:05. Northside Sophomore Andy Voung ran a Personal Best time of 6:10.

 In the Varsity 200m Dash, a Glenbrook North athlete won it with a time of 24.97. Northside Sophomore Nathaniel Agharese won his heat, and finished second overall with an outstanding time of 25.34. Agharese DROPPED 0.36 of a second from the Lonnell Poole Invitational.  Northside Junior Ezra Edgerton ran an outstanding time of 26.90. Northside Junior Dan Graham ran an outstanding time of 27.29. Northside Senior Hersh Perlmutter ran an outstanding time of 28.09. Northside Senior Jameel Ahmed ran an outstanding time of 29.10. Northside Senior Mohammed Ahmed ran an outstanding time of 31.20.

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 200m Dash, Northside Freshman Sean Conway ran a Personal Best time of 31.24. Northside Sophomore Abdul Ibrahim ran a Personal Best time of 31.74. Northside Freshman Christian La Luz ran a Personal Best time of 32.68. Northside Freshman Angelo Perez ran an outstaning time of 34.44. Northside Freshman David Huang ran an outstanding time of 35.80.

 The crowd was standing on their feet during the entire 4x400m Relay. For the first time in Northside history, the Mustangs swept the Varsity and Sophomore-Freshman 4x400m Relays against Glenbrook North, Highland Park, and Maine West.

 In the Varsity 4x400m Relay, Northside Junior Mac Melto ran a 53.61 400m split to put the Mustangs in the lead, and made a perfect exchange to Junior Pat Duffy. Pat Duffy ran a 60.03 400m split to protect the lead, and made a perfect exchange to Senior Erik Zuehlke. Erik Zuehlke ran a 59.00 400m split to increase the lead, and dove into the infield, after making a nice exchange to Senior Wesley Laytham. Northside Senior Wesley Laytham, in his third event of the day, ran an awesome 57.54 400m split, to anchor the Mustangs to Victory with an official time of 3:49.51. Mac Melto, Pat Duffy, Erik Zuehlke, and Wesley Laytham were outstanding! 

 In the Sophomore-Freshman 4x400m Relay, nobody expected the Mustangs to win both relays. It would take a "PR" by every athlete in the relay. The Northside Freshman were up for the challenge and had a BIG day! Northside Freshman Lucien Fitzpatrick ran a personal best 62.70 400m split, and made a perfect exchange to Freshman Karl Heinz. Lucien Fitzpatrick DROPPED 1.64 seconds off his best time! On the second leg of the 4x400m Relay, Karl Heinz opened up a lead on Glenbrook North and ran a personal best 68.52 400m split, and made a perfect exchange to Freshman Walter Johnson-Geis. Karl Heinz DROPPED 2.09 seconds off his best time! On the third leg of the relay, Walter Johnson-Geis ran a personal best 64.48 400m split, and made a nice exchange to Freshman Robert Szmurlo. Walter Johnson-Geis DROPPED 5.61 seconds off his best time! Northside Freshman Robert Szmurlo anchored the Mustangs to Victory with a 65.23 400m split, for an official time of 4:22.08. Szmurlo DROPPED 2.41 seconds from the Lonnell Poole Invitational! Northside Freshman Lucien Fitzpatrick, Karl Heinz, Walter Johnson-Geis, and Robert Szmurlo were outstanding!

 In one year, Northside doubled their points total from 2010, with 59 points in 2011 to WIN the Spartan Indoor Classic!