CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Sunday, February 25, 2018, the Marist VARSITY Track and Field TEAM traveled to Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois for the 2018 I.C.O.P.S. Track and Field Invitational.

 Athletes from 20 Illinois Catholic High Schools gathered at Lewis University for Mass in the Fieldhouse on Sunday morning prior to the commencemnt of the Track and Field Invitational.

 The Marist RedHawks had a BIG day, and posted victories over: Brother Rice (23.50 points), Mt. Carmel (14 points), Niles Notre Dame (14 points), Mundelein Carmel (14 points), St. Rita (13 points), Fenwick (9 points), Aurora Central Catholic (7 points), Holy Trinity (6 points), St. Patrick (6 points), IC Catholic (4 points), Joliet Catholic (1 point), St.Viator (0 points), St.Joseph (0 points), and North Shore Country Day (0 points).

 The point scale for individual events and relays was 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

 In the 55m High Hurdles Finals, Marist Senior Martin Smith won it with a personal best time of 8.09. Smith was awarded a GOLD Medal for winning the 2018 ICOPS 55m Hurdles Championship. Martin Smith is currently ranked #16 in Class 3A for the 55m High Hurdles. The Top 24 hurdlers qualify for Illinois Top Times (Indoor State) and will compete at Illinois Wesleyan University on March 24, 2018. In the 55m High Hurdles Prelims, Marist Junior Tom Johnson hurdled an outstanding time of 10.00.

 In the 55m Dash Prelims, Marist Sophomores Brian Ferguson and Amari Watkins both ran an impressive time of 6.90.

 In the High Jump, Marist Senior Martin Smith tied for seventh place with a leap of 5'2.

 In the Pole Vault, Marist Sophomore Peter Derdzinski made three outstanding attempts at 7'6, but was unable to clear it.

 In the Triple Jump, Marist Junior Tom Johnson had a good Triple jump of 33'10.

 In the Shot Put, Marist Freshman Josh Harris threw the Shot Put an official distance of 31'9.

 In the 3200m, Marist Junior Lucas Pennix ran the first mile in 5:14, and then ran the final mile in 5:36 to finish in 11th place with an outstanding time of 10:50.45. Marist Sophomore Luke Hortsman ran the first mile in 5:48, and then ran the final mile in 5:55 for an official time of 11:43.55. Luke Hortsman dropped 25 seconds (12:08.30) from the Rockford Auburn Jerry Lowe Invitational!

 In the 4x800m Relay, Marist Junior Joe Donnelly ran a 2:33 800m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Alexis Arreola. Marist Junior Alexis Arreola ran a 2:30 800m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a good exchange to Andres Castillo. Marist Junior Andres Castillo ran a 2:47 800m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Peter Derdzinski. Marist Sophomore Peter Derdzinski anchored the RedHawks to 15th place with an impressive 2:36.80 800m split for an official time of 10:26.90.

 In the 800m run, Marist Sophomore Caleb Davis finished in 16th place overall with a season best time of 2:16.66. Davis was the third fastest Sophomore in the 800m run. Marist Junior Alexis Arreola ran an official time of 2:29.71.

 In the 4x200m Relay, Marist Sophomore Amari Watkins ran a 25.32 200m split on the first leg of the relay, and made an exchange to Keyon Turner. Marist Sophomore Keyon Turner ran an impressive 25.01 200m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a good exchange to Tom Johnson. Marist Junior Tom Johnson ran an outstanding 25.62 200m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Antione Davis. Marist Sophomore Antione Davis anchored the RedHawks to tenth place with an impressive 25.64 200m split for an official time of 1:42.11.

 In the 400m Dash, Marist Sophomore Brian Ferguson dropped 2.22 seconds (56.74) from the Spartan Indoor Classic, and ran an Indoor Personal record of 54.52 to complete the scoring for the RedHawks. Ferguson dropped 0.17 of a second off his best high school indoor time (54.69, 2017). Marist Sophomore Tyler Thomas was also impressive, and dropped 10 seconds (70.34) with a PERSONAL BEST time of 60.90.

 In the 1600m, Marmion Academy Senior Michael Ronzone won it with an official time of 4:38.82. Ronzone finished 26th in State at the 2017 IHSA Cross Country Championships. Marist Sophomore Thomas Leonard ran the first 800m in 2:23, and then ran the final 800m in a NEGATIVE split of 2:17.47 to finish in SECOND place with an outstanding time of 4:40.47. In a nice ceremony following the meet, Thomas Leonard was awarded a Silver Medal. Benet Academy Junior Connor O'Keefe finished in fourth place with an official time of 4:41.82. Loyola Academy Junior Eli Miller finished in fourth place with an official time of 4:43.92. Benet Academy Senior Dylan King finished in fifth place with an official time of 4:48.44. Marmion Academy Sophomore Alex Carlson finished in sixth place with an official time of 4:52.09. Loyola Academy Sophomore Alex Owens finished in seventh place with an official time of 4:54.14. Providence Catholic Junior Jimmy Grill completed the scoring with an outstanding time of 4:55.62. Marist's Jonathan Rivera was the fastest Freshman at 2018 ICOPS 1600m run with a PERSONAL BEST time of 5:10.64. Rivera ran the first 800m in 2:32, and then ran the final 800m in 2:38.64 for an official time of 5:10.64.

 In the 200m Dash, Marist Freshman Jovan Marsh earned a Medal by winning his heat, and finishing in fifth place overall with an outstanding time of 24.13. Marist Senior Alton Brooks ran an official time of 27.90.

 The Marist 4x400m Relay was scratched.