CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 A special thanks to North Park University Assistant Athletic Director Susan Zimmer and staff, for hosting this great event. The event was complete with a P.A. announcer that provided 200m splits, play by play, and updates throughout the evening.  

 Every available member of the Northside Track & Field Team, regardless if they were thrower, distance runner, sprinter, jumper, or hurdler, raced in one heat of the 400m Dash and competed in one flight of the Shot Put.

 The King of the Quarter and Shot Put gives Northside athletes an appreciation for each others events, and makes the TEAM stronger. At the end of the night, Team Captains lead the first Team Huddle of the season. 

 The distance runners also benefited from the 400m Time Trial, by learning their maximum quarter speed. With the knowledge of their maximum quarter speed, the coaching staff is able to provide proper racing strategy for the 800m run. 

 Medals were awarded to the top three Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman in the 400m Dash. 

  Although the event was just a time trial, the crowd was so large at Alford Indoor Track at North Park University, that spectators had to stand in the balcony of the stadium to see the 400m time trial.

 Despite the size of the crowd, you could hear a pin drop, when it was announced Senior Mac Melto and Junior Nathaniel Agharese would be in the next heat.

 Prior to 2012, the fastest Northside time ever recorded at King of the Quarter was a 54.36. That changed dramatically on Friday night.  

 In 2012, a new record was established at King of the Quarter!!! 

 Mac Melto broke his own King of the Quarter record, with an outstanding time of 52.66! Mac Melto dropped 1.70 seconds (54.36) from last year! Mac Melto will be awarded a Medal as the fastest Senior, and King of the Quarter. The most impressive thing about the race was his endurance. It was the first time Melto recovered within seconds of crossing the finish line, and  was instantly able to carry a conversation. In the past, he had trouble walking or standing after racing the 400m. Mac Melto is the only athlete in Northside history to win Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior divisions of King of the Quarter. Two weeks ago, Mac Melto was also honored as homecoming King. Melto was also invited to Illinois Prep Top Times in the 400m, before the Mustangs even had their first practice this year. 

 Pat Duffy was the second fastest Senior, and second overall with an outstanding time of 56.60! Pat Duffy dropped 4.51 seconds (61.11) from last year! Pat Duffy has earned All City honors in the 800m run for two consecutive years, and looks even stronger this year. In the fall, he earned All City honors in Cross Country on his way to leading the Team to the State Championships.

 Nathaniel Agharese finished in third place overall, and was the fastest Junior at King of the Quarter with an outstanding time of 56.64! Nathaniel Agharese dropped 3.01 seconds (59.65) from last year! Nathaniel Agharese finished in first place in the Junior division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Dan Graham finished in fourth place overall, and was the third fastest Senior at King of the Quarter with an outstanding time of 58.08. Dan Graham dropped 0.47 of a second (58.55) from last year! Dan Graham finished in third place in the Senior division, and will also be awarded a Medal. In 2011, Dan Graham earned All City Honors in the 4x800m Relay, and ran an impressive 2:04 split at IHSA Sectionals. 

 Patrick Brennan finished in fifth place overall, and was the second fastest Junior at King of the Quarter with a personal best time of 59.64. Patrick Brennan dropped 15.61 seconds (75.25) from his last King of the Quarter competition!! The last time, Patrick Brennan competed in King of the Quarter, he finished 36th overall. In 2012, he improved by 31 places!! Patrick Brennan finished in second place in the Junior division, and will also be awarded a Medal. In preparation for Track & Field season, Patrick Brennan joined the Northside Cross Country Team, and went from a 18:23 for three miles at the Libertyville Invitational to a 16:37 for three miles at the IHSA State Championships!  

 Walter Johnson-Geis was one of the most improved athletes at King of the Quarter. In 2011, Walter Johnson-Geis ran a time of 70.09 at King of the Quarter. In 2012, Walter Johnson-Geis was the fastest Sophomore, and ran the sixth fastest time overall with a personal best time of 61.57! Walter Johnson-Geis dropped 8.52 seconds from last year! Walter Johnson-Geis won the Sophomore division, and will also be awarded a Medal.

 Tom Frejowski won the Freshman division of King of the Quarter, and placed seventh overall with a personal best tme of 61.75. Tom Frejowski also placed second in the Freshman division of King of the Shot put with a personal best throw of 21'7. Tom Frejowski earned two medals, by placing first in the Freshman division in King of the Quarter!, and second in the Freshman division in King of the Shot Put!!

 Sophomore Joel Deleon finished eighth overall, and second in the Sophomore division with a personal best time of 62.06. Joel Deleon dropped 3.96 seconds (66.02) from last year! Joel Deleon earned a Medal by placing second in the Sophomore division of King of the Quarter!

 Sophomore Cesar Rufino finished ninth overall, and third in the Sophomore division with an outstanding time of 62.41. Cesar Rufino dropped 5.98 seconds (68.39) from last year! Cesar Rufino earned a Medal by placing third in the Sophomore division of King of the Quarter!

 Sophomore Robert Szmurlo finished tenth overall, and fourth in the Sophomore division with an outstanding time of 62.58. Robert Szmurlo dropped 4.39 seconds (66.97) from last year! 

 Sophomore Lucien Fitzpatrick finished eleventh overall, and fifth in the Sophomore division with an outstanding time of 64.29. Lucien Fitzpatrick dropped 2.40 seconds (66.69) from last year!

 Freshman Ari Perlmutter finished 12th overall, and second in the Freshman division with a personal best time of 64.40. Ari Perlmutter also won the Freshman division of King of the Shot Put with a personal best 12 lbs throw of 29'5! Perlmutter will be awarded two medals, one for winning King of the Shot put, and one for placing second in the 400m dash! Perlmutter also finished third overall on the entire Team in King of the Shot Put.

 Freshman Max McCoy finished third in the Freshman division with a personal best time of 64.91. Max McCoy earned a Medal by placing third overall in the Freshman division of King of the Quarter!

 Freshman Porter Abbey has already made a huge impact for the Mustangs in both jumps and hurdles. He is quickly mastering every track event. He could be a future decathlete. On Friday, Porter Abbey had personal bests in the 400m (65.84) and Shot Put (21'3.50) to finish fourth in the Freshman division in both events!

 Freshman Matt Osborne finished fifth in the Freshman division in the 400m with a personal best time of 65.89 and third in the Freshman division in the Shot Put with a personal best throw of 21'4. Matt Osborne earned a Medal by placing third overall in the Freshman division of King of the Shot Put!

 Senior Ezra Edgerton, school record holder for the mile (4:34.88), was held out of the 400m dash time trial, and will run in his first race of the season at the Niles West Wolves Indoor Classic on Friday, February 3, 2012.