Announcement
Philip Wdowiak named winner of Senior Leadership Award
Philip Wdowiak is a special athlete and one of the greatest leaders in the history of the Northside Track & Field TEAM. Philip Wdowiak has the strength of a thrower, the speed of a sprinter, and the endurance of a distance runner.
In 2016, Philip Wdowiak QUALIFIED for the IHSA State Track & Field Championships, in FOUR events, including, the 4x800m Relay, 4x100m Relay, 4x200m Relay, and 4x400m Relay.
The IHSA four events limitation rule prevented Northside from using him in the Discus and additional individual events.
Wdowiak's greatness is not limited to any event group. He could score points as a Thrower, Sprinter, or Distance runner. He has competed in every event from the 100m dash to the 1600m run!! He was one of the top sprinters on Team, and was also one of the top distance runners on the Team!
At the IHSA Sectional Track & Field Championships, he started the day by providing the 4x800m Relay with a tremendous lead that would not be challenged, and ended the day by anchoring the 4x400m Relay to Victory!
Philip Wdowiak was also a three sports athlete, and competed in Soccer, Hockey, and Track. He was an outstanding Soccer and Hockey player. It was a privilege to witness him compete on the Soccer Field or in an ice rink. Wdowiak was also an outstanding student, and finished in first place in Pre-Calculas for the Northside Math Team on May 7 at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathmatics State competition. It was difficult for the Track Team to share him with a Hockey Team during Indoor Track season and the Math Team during Outdoor Track season because it limited the amount of meets he was able to compete in. However, Philip Wdowiak worked extra hard to make it all work, and participated in the Varsity Chicago Public League Championship PRELIMS before he left for Champaign for the Mathmatics State competition. Most importantly, he didn't miss any Track practices, despite all of his sports and activities. He competed at the highest level in every sport and activity.
Philip Wdowiak has incredible leadership skills and was an outstanding TEAM Captain.
After Northside was presented with the IHSA Sectional Championship plaque, and the Seniors were honored in a Team huddle, Philip Wdowiak hoisted the IHSA Sectional Championship plaque over his head, and led the TEAM on a victory lap around Hanson Stadium!
Upon arrival to Charleston for the IHSA State Track & Field Championships, Wdowiak announced to the Team, "Boys were at STATE!"
At the IHSA State Track & Field Championships, after running a personal best 2:02.78 800m split in the 4x800m Relay, he anchored the 4x200m Relay in a personal best 22 seconds split, and then competed in the 4x400m Relay!!
Wdowiak has been praised by multiple coaches and athletes for his outstanding work ethic and strong leadership skills.
IHSA Sectional 800m Champion Alex Ortiz said "He honestly has work ethic so strong that I admire him so much because of it".
Senior Philip Wdowiak trained with both the Sprinters and Distance runners frequently during the season. On Wednesdays, he would often train with the Sprinters at 6 am before school, and then run with the distance runners after school at 4 pm. After two workouts, he would finish the day in the Northside weight room.
Every great TEAM has a leader that will work hard everyday no matter what the circumstances, and that leader for the 2016 Northside Track & Field Team is Philip Wdowiak.
