Announcement
Northside Track & Field TEAM honors Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon with a Watermelon Pinata filled with a thousand dollars wrapped around candy!
On Friday, June 1, 2012, the Northside Track & Field Team was honored at the East Bank Club. It was the most successful season in the history of Northside College Prep. 28 athletes earned Watermelons and a plaque for breaking a school record in an individual event and/or relay.
The Varsity Women won the first IHSA Sectional TEAM title in the history of Northside in any sport! A banner is being placed on the GYM wall to honor the team. The Sophomore Girls finished second in the Chicago Public League Championships! Among the 28 school records, members of the Varsity Women's Team also broke the school record in the 1600m and 4x200m relay at the IHSA State Championships! The school record for shot put and the 100m dash was broken at the IHSA Sectional Championships!
The Varsity Men finished second in the Indoor City Championships. Northside also had the first Illinois Prep Top Times Champion, in the history of the school, Mac Melto. School records broken in 2012, in the 100m Dash, 200m Dash, and 400m run were faster than the best marks in the Class 2A State meet. Among the 28 school records, members of the Men's Team also broke the school record in the 4x800m relay at the IHSA State Championships! The school record for Long Jump was broken at the IHSA Sectional Championships!
Northside also had several alumni become heros to the Team in NCAA Track & Field Meets throughout the country!
The most impressive number of the year, was a record, 24 athletes qualified for the IHSA State Championships in an individual event and/or relay! The experience at the state meet was priceless.
The Northside Coaching Staff would like to thank the Northside Boys and Girls Track & Field Team again for their hard work this season. The family-type atmosphere of the Northside Track & Field TEAM is second to none. You are the greatest individuals, on and off the field. This TEAM has enriched us immeasurably and we hope that the athletes take as much away from this season as you have given us. Thank you again for the greatest Track & Field season in Northside history!
The Northside Coaching Staff can't say Thank You enough times for the most incredible banquet of our entire coaching careers.
At the end of the banquet, the Northside Track & Field TEAM honored each member of the coaching staff.
Northside Assistant Coach Jose Nebrida was unable to attend the banquet due to a trip to Arizona. However, the TEAM made a special presentation to him. A Crystal Apple, with the engraving, "Not bad for an old guy", was awarded to Jose Nebrida. Jose Nebrida is a volunteer coach, and he purchased apples at his own expense, for the entire Team for every practice this season. He was also a volunteer official at every meet he attended, and a great ambassador for Northside.
T-shirts from the IHSA State Track & Field Championships, and very generous gift cards, were given to Northside Sprints Coach Mark Morgan, Sprints Coach David Diaz, Hall of fame Jumps and Hurdles Coach Ed Wallace, Throws Coach Charles Milbert, and Certified Athletic Trainer Whitney Harris.
The athletes also gave inspirational speeches, praising each member of the coaching staff.
Northside Captain Josh Williams then presented a large glass plaque, engraved with a Poem, to Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, on behalf of the Team, which read:
"A Thank You to Coach Jon Gordon"
"For a Coach who could always clearly see, much more than we thought we could ever be."
"Who taught us to train and discipline, the minds and bodies we were in."
"Who raised expectations, hopes and dreams, for every athlete on the Boy's and Girl's Teams."
"Who inspired us to go beyond normal endurance, while helping us to gain self-assurance."
"Watermelons and PR's were great motivation, and often led to great celebration."
"Through seasons that were hard fought and points that were sought, we are all so much greater for what you have taught."
"-2012 Northside College Prep Track & Field Team-"
Northside Captain Pat Duffy then gave a speech, praising Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, for his tireless efforts, workouts, Team atmosphere, Gatorade, and Pasta Parties. Pat Duffy then presented Gordon with a very large bag of homemade cookies.
The Northside Track & Field Captains, Nathaniel Agharese, Mac Melto, Pat Duffy, Ezra Edgerton, Dan Graham, Taylor Provax, Lisa Wendt, and Golda Kaplan, then presented Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon with a Watermelon Pinata.
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon took several swings at the Watermelon Pinata with a steele pole, and it finally broke open with a BIG surprise. Twenty dollar bills wrapped around fifty individual pieces of candy, poured out of the Watermelon Pinata, for a total of $1,000.00!
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon has been involved in the sport of Track & Field for over 20 years, and has never received anything like this before in his life. He is forever greatful to the Northside Track & Field TEAM, and parents for their very generous gifts.
The entire Northside Track & Field Coaching Staff would like to thank the Northside Boys and Girls Track & Field Team again for their hard work this season. You are the greatest individuals, on and off the field. It is a priviledge to coach this TEAM. Thank you again for the greatest Track & Field season in Northside history!
