CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Northside traveled to River Park Track in Chicago, Illinois for the FIRST Outdoor Track meet of the seaosn, the Eric Nelson Classic.

 It is important for Northside athletes to learn how to compete in many different weather elements early in the season. The IHSA does not delay a Track & Field meet unless there is lightning, and track meets take place in all kinds of different weather conditions. Several IHSA Sectional and/or State Track & Field meets have taken place in cold, heat, rain, high winds, hail, and even snow.

 Northside was fortunate to experience most of the weather conditions that they will encounter during the season at the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. The race conditions on Saturday, April 2, 2016 included high winds, rain, cold weather, hail, and snow. This experience will be very valuable later in the season.

 The meet featured Chicago Leo High School (2012 IHSA State Track and Field Champions), Chicago Bulls College Prep, Von Steuben, Ogden International, North Lawndale, Chicago Christ the King, Amundsen, and host Northside College Prep.

 The 2016 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic provided a very special Track & Field experience for all participants.

 Medals were awarded to the Top 3 Athletes in each event. The Medals are engraved with each athlete's name on it, and shipped to each respective school. Goody bags were also given to all participants on every team.

 Once a Northside athlete holds the school record and has qualified for the IHSA State Track & Field Championships in that event, the event is then named after the athlete in the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic, beginning the following year. 

 Plaques were awarded to the winner of the High Jump in honor of Northside Alumni Eric Nelson, the winner of the 800m run in honor of Northside Alumni Wesley Laytham, the winner of the Long Jump in honor of Northside Alumni Josh Williams, the winner of the 400m run in honor of Northside Alumni Mac Melto, the winner of the 110m Hurdles in honor of Northside Alumni Lucien Fitzaptrick, the winner of the 300m Hurdles in honor of Northside Alumni Lucien Fitzpatrick, and the winners of the 4x800m Relay in honor of IHSA State Qualifiers Danny Rosen, and Northside Alumni Malcolm Grba, Simon Kafka, and Patrick Brennan.

 River Park Track was spectacular. It is one of the best venues in Chicago for Track & Field.

 A special thanks to Northside parents Juan and Diana Sotomayor for serving as the clerks of the course, and for checking in over 1,000 athletes, and providing them with hip numbers for each event. 

 A special thanks to the Sotomayor Family, the Franke Family, and the Northside Coaching Staff for helping make over 500 goody bags for the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank the McManus Family for helping transport Tents and Equipment at dawn to River Park Track in preparation for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Distance Coach Michael Giberson, Sprints Coach Matthew Madera, Hurdles Coach Makenzie Carr, Jumps Coach David Diaz, Throws Coach Erasmo De La Cruz, the McManus Family, the Brown Family, the Rosen Family, and the Washington Family for helping with all of the heavy lifting of equipment before and during the meet.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Parent Marc Rosen for taking photos of the 2016 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank the McManus Family, the Friedler Family, the Webster Family, and ALL of the Northside parents that contributed to the hospitality table for the Northside athletes. It helped make the meet a more enjoyable experience for all of the athletes and members of the coaching staff.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Volunteer Coach Jose Nebrida for providing Bananas for the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank North Park University Head Coach Geoff Masanet, and staff for providing Northside with all of the Track & Field Equipment for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. 

 The Team would also like to thank Vera Onate and the Chicago Park District for all of their help in preparation for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. 

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Athletic Director Andrew Mayer for all of his help in preparation and meet management for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

  Northside would also like to thank IHSA Official Kerry Dean for serving as the Starter for the 2016 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. Dean was outstanding!

 Northside would also like to thank Prime Time Timing Services. The meet was finished in record time in difficult conditions thanks to their tremendous efforts. Prime Time Timing Services also published the official results immediately after each event was finished on the wall next to the concession stand. Team scores were also provided after each event.

 Last, the Northside Coaching Staff would like to thank all of the Northside athletes. Hours after the meet ended, Northside athletes stayed at River Park Track putting away equipment. Thanks again.

 The athlete of the meet was Von Steuben Junior Jaime Marcos, who won the 3200m, 800m, and also anchored the Von Steuben 4x400m Relay to victory. Marcos scored 22.5 points.

 The meet was scored on the following scale for individual events and relays: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

 Chicago Northside took a BIG step towards winning the 2016 IHSA Sectional Title by earning important victories against, among others, IHSA Sectional opponents Chicago Bulls College Prep, Amundsen, and North Lawndale.

 Chicago Northside won the 2016 Eric Nelson Classic with a record 209 points, and posted victories over: 2. Leo (128 points), 3. Von Steuben (91 points), 4. Chicago Bulls College Prep (31 points), 4. Amundsen (31 points), 6. North Lawndale (12 points), 7. Ogden International (6 points), and 8. Chicago Christ the King (0 points).