CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

1. Tom Frejowski                                    8.50

2. Danny Rosen                                     6.50

3. Lucien Fitzpatrick                              2.00            

4. Ari Perlmutter                                    1.00      

5. Malcolm Grba                                    0.50       

5. Simon Kafka                                      0.50       

6. Max McCoy                                       0.25 

6. Cesar Rufino                                      0.25

6. Nate Mendez                                     0.25

6. Matthew Gomez                                0.25 

SEASON VARSITY POINTS SCORED TOTALS (17 Meets)    

1. Lucien Fitzpatrick                             225.25 (Senior - Varsity Points Leader - School Record for points in a season)

 In the 4x100m Relay, Northside Sophomore Steven Kataba, Sophomore Troy Hu, Freshman Brandon Banas, and Sophomore Philip Wdowiak combined to finish in 11th place with an official time of 47.68.

 A year ago (2013), Northside Junior Malcolm Grba ran an official time of 2:07.85 at IHSA Sectionals in the 800m run. The following week, Malcolm Grba ran a 2:04.93 in the 800m run at the IHSA State Track & Field Championships.

 The entrance way to the Olympic Training Center in Marquette, Michigan has a large sign, that reads "Winning isn't everything...Wanting to is..."

 Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was fortunate to coach former Florida High School State 800m run Champion Patrick Weaver at St.Johns in Orange Park, Flordia. Weaver ran a 1:52 800m to win the State Title in Florida. A typical regular season high school meet for Weaver was a 1:59 800m split in the 4x800m Relay, and then he ran a 1:56 800m in the open 800m run, and then he ran a 51.00 400m split in the 4x400m relay. Gordon was also fortunate to coach All American Patrick Sullivan at the University of Chicago in the 1500m. Sullivan was incredible, and it took a future Olympian, Nick Symmonds, to beat him for the National Title in the 1500m run. Gordon was also fortunate to coach a Distance Medley Relay that earned All American Honors for the University of Chicago. All of the above were unbelievable athletes in both work ethic, determination, and mental toughness. However, Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon has seen only one athlete that has exceeded all of the above in work ethic, and mental toughness, and that athlete is Northside Captain Malcolm Grba.

 Malcolm Grba has the speed of a sprinter, the strength of a thrower, and the endurance of a distance runner. He is the most fit athlete on the Northside Track Team. A typical Malcolm Grba practice lasts from 4 pm - 7 pm. Grba always wants to do more, and train harder. In addition to holding the school record for the 4x800m Relay, Malcolm Grba also holds the school record for pull-ups with 41. He trains year round, and has great communication skills. The Northside Coaching Staff is always well informed about his off-season training, including his weekly mileage totals. He has also revolutionized the Northside warm-up, core, and stretching routine. He is also a great leader and a great Team captain for the Northside Track Team.

 After an outstanding baseball career, Malcolm Grba joined the Northside Track Team during his Sophomore year of high school, and had an immediate impact. Grba is only in his second year of the sport of Track & Field. 

 In 2013, he qualified for the Class 2A State Track & Field Championships, in a record four events, including the 4x800m Relay, 800m, 1600m, and 4x400m Relay. He also helped Northside Win their first Sophomore Chicago Public League Title in Track, and first IHSA Sectional Title in Track.

From 2013 to 2014, he has improved in the 800m run from a 2:04.93 to a personal best 800m time of 2:00.52. In the 1600m run, he has improved from a 4:44.68 to a personal best 1600m time of 4:36.10.

 In 2014, Malcolm Grba qualified for the Class 3A Indoor State Championships, in two events, the 4x800m Relay and the 800m run. Grba competed in the 800m run, and reached the Medal stand at Illinois Prep Top Times (Indoor State). Malcolm Grba also won the individual indoor city title in the 800m run, and helped his teammates to the 4x400m Relay Indoor city title. Malcolm Grba also helped Northside win numerous track meets, including and CPS Indoor Championships.

 In 2014, Malcolm Grba WON the 800m run FIVE times, he WON the 1600m run THREE times, and helped his TEAM to VICTORIES in the 4x800m Relay and 4x400m Relay SIX times! Malcolm Grba is a winner. 

 Malcolm Grba also scored the Most Varsity points by a Northside Junior Athlete in 2014. It is the second year in a row that he has led the Junior class in scoring. Malcolm Grba was also second on the entire Team in scoring Varsity points. Malcolm Grba will be honored with a Varsity points trophy, among other honors, at the June 6, 2014 Track & Field Banquet at the East Bank Club.

 To fully appreciate Malcolm Grba's performance in the 800m run at IHSA Sectionals (2014), you had to witness it. It was more than just running faster than his previous years sectional time. At IHSA Sectionals, he went from a 2:07.85 (2013 IHSA Sectional) to a 2:07.12 (2014 IHSA Sectional). Malcolm Grba could have played it safe, and went for just a personal best time, and a Medal. However, he went for it, and ran with the attitude and determination to win it. He ran a pure guts race, and went through 400m in 57 seconds, and held the lead for 500m, before he was passed. It was an outstanding effort and performance. Malcolm Grba has a big future in Track, at both the high school level and collegiate level.

 At the 2014 IHSA Sectional Championships, Northside Senior Simon Kafka ran an outstanding time of 2:02.65.

 In 2011, as a high school Freshman, Simon Kafka competed in Indoor Track, and had personal best times of 61.49 for the 400m, and 2:20.45 for the 800m run. At the conclusion of the Indoor season, he competed in Water Polo. Kafka was a Junior Olympian in the sport of Water Polo, an excellent swimmer, and is a certified lifeguard.

 In 2013, as a high school Junior, Simon Kafka left the Water Polo Team, and made the commitment to both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. Simon Kafka had an immediate impact for the Northside Track & Field Team. He was always willing to do anything for the Team, including score points for his teammates in the High Jump. Simon Kafka helped the Mustangs WIN their first IHSA Sectional Track & Field Team Title by qualifying for the IHSA State Championships in two events, the 4x800m Relay and the 4x400m Relay. Simon Kafka also helped Northside break two school records. First, he ran the 400m leg of the Middle Distance Medley Relay to help break the school record at the Glenbrook North Spartan Relays. Second, Simon Kafka anchored the Mustangs 4x800m Relay to a school record at the IHSA State Championships to advance to the State finals! 

 From 2011 (Freshman Year) to 2013 (Junior Year), Simon Kafka went from a 2:20.45 800m to a 2:07.30 in the open 800m. A time drop of 13 seconds!

 From 2013 (Junior Year) to 2014 (Senior Year), Simon Kafka improved dramatically in strength and speed. Simon Kafka went from a 2:07.30 800m to a 2:00.32 in the open 800m. A time drop of 7 seconds in the open 800m run during his Senior Year! Simon Kafka ran the third fastest 800m run time (2:00.32) in the history of Northside!! Simon Kafka also earned All City Honors and a MEDAL in the 800m run at the outdoor City Championships.

 In the 1600m run, Simon Kafka went from a 4:54.20 (Junior Year) to a personal best time of 4:45.55 (Senior Year).

 Simon Kafka was also Captain of the Northside Cross Country Team for three years, and ran a 3 miles personal record of 16:03 during his Senior year.

 Equally impressive, Simon Kafka has improved from a 61.49 400m (Freshman Year) to a 51.92 400m split, in his final race for the Mustangs at the IHSA Sectional Championships in the 4x400m Relay. A time drop of almost ten seconds from Freshman to Senior Year in the 400m!

 During the 2014 Track & Field season, among other highlights, Simon Kafka anchored Northside to victory in the 4x800m Relay at the Indoor City Championships, and also helped Northside upset Whitney Young in the 4x400m Relay for the Indoor City Title! Simon Kafka also qualified for the Class 3A Indoor State Championships (Illinois Prep Top Times) in the 4x800m Relay. He ran the most impressive leg of the 4x800m Relay at the Indoor State Championships with a 2:01.59 800m split.

 Among other honors, Simon Kafka helped Northside Win the 4x800m Relay at the Indoor Spartan Classic, the St. Viator Inviational, and the Highland Park Twilight Invitational.

 Simon Kafka also has great leadership skills. He helped improve Team culture by coming up with the idea for a game of Ultimate Frisbee during a stressful week of training. He always stepped up to handle every leadership opportunity presented, and looked out for his teammates in the process. Simon Kafka holds multiple school records, and is one of the greatest athletes to ever wear the uniform.

 Simon Kafka will be competing in college in both Cross Country and Track for Beloit College in the NCAA Midwest Conference. The Northside Coaching Staff is looking forward to his continued success on the collegiate level. He will be a tremendous asset to the Beloit College Cross Country and Track Teams.

 In the 4x200m Relay, Northside WON their heat, and finished in ninth place overall with an outstanding time of 1:37.95. Northside Freshman Brandon Banas ran a 24.71 200m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Garret Barch. Garret Barch ran a 24.59 200m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a good exchange to Sophomore Philip Wdowiak. Philip Wdowiak ran a 24.36 200m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Junior Gabriel Jiminez-Ekhman. Gabriel Jiminez-Ekhman anchored the Mustangs to first place in their heat with an impressive 23.81 200m split for an official time of 1:37.95. It was the fastest 4x200m Relay of the season.

 In the 400m Dash, Northside Sophomore Steven Kataba ran an outstanding time of 56.41.

 In the 300m Hurdles, Northside Senior Lucien Fitzpatrick, and Junior Matt Osborne scratched.

 In the 1600m run, Northside Junior Max McCoy ran the first 400m in 69 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 78 seconds for an 800m split of 2:27, and then ran the next 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 77 seconds for a 1200m split of 3:46, and then ran the final 400m in ANOTHER NEGATIVE split of 74 seconds for an outstanding time of 5:00.53.

 In the 4x400m Relay, Northside Junior Malcolm Grba ran the first leg of the relay in a 54.49 400m split, and then made a perfect exchange to Senior Simon Kafka. Simon Kafka ran the second leg of the relay in a PERSONAL BEST 400m split of 51.92, and then made a nice exchange to Sophomore Danny Rosen. Danny Rosen ran the third leg of the relay in a 55.97 400m split, and then made a perfect exchange to Junior Tom Frejowski. Tom Frejowski anchored the Mustangs to fifth place in the IHSA Sectional with a 54.87 400m split for an official time of 3:37.93. Malcolm Grba, Simon Kafka, Danny Rosen, and Tom Frejowski earned ALL SECTIONAL HONORS and were awarded MEDALS for finishing in fifth place overall.        

 IHSA Official Richard J. Miller was named the starter for the Sectional Championships, along with IHSA Officials Robert Anderson and Michael W. Gibbs.

 Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was named to the IHSA Sectional Games Committee. 

 The opening height for High Jump will be 5'4. The opening height for Pole Vault will be 8'6.

 The Coaching Staffs of 16 High Schools then waited throughout the evening to learn if their athletes made it into to the top flight for field events or the "fast" heat for the Track Events. The "Seed" meeting lasted for hours, as the Heats for each event were slowly revealed.

 Northside Coaches were excited to learn on Tuesday evening, that Northside Junior Tom Frejowski is seeded #3 in the 400m Dash with a 51.08. Tom Frejowski is the fastest Junior in the Sectional. The Top two seeds were Proviso East Senior Frederick Burks (51.05) and North Lawndale Senior Terry McGee (50.11). McGee has a 2014 outdoor season best 400m time of 51.10. There is also only a 0.03 of a second difference between Frejowski (51.08)  and Burks (51.05). The Top two finishers automatically advance to the IHSA State Championships.

 Northside Senior Simon Kafka (2:00.32) and Junior Malcolm Grba (2:00.52) made the fast heat in the 800m run. 

 Additional athletes in the fast heat of the 800m run include: Jones College Prep Junior Anthony Solis (2:04.46), Whitney Young Freshman Evan Radomski (2:02.75), Taft Junior Abraham Tobias (2:02.60), Lane Tech Junior Arturo Cardiel (2:02.14), Steinmetz Senior Alexis Sarabia (running in the 3200m run prior to the 800m), Jones College Prep Junior Markiyan Protsiv, Lane Tech Junior Pavlo Hutsalyuk, and Whitney Young Junior Kevin Ma.

 Northside Alumni legend Wesley Laytham was the #5 seed in 2010, when he qualified for the IHSA State Championships in the 800m run.

 Northside Sophomore Danny Rosen (4:25.30) is also seeded in the fast heat of the 1600m run. Danny Rosen broke the five minute barrier for the first time in February, and is now the fastest Sophomore in the IHSA Sectional meet with a 4:25.30! Rosen is the most improved Sophomore in Illinois. 

 If Rosen finishes in the top 2 in the Sectional, or runs a 4:22.04 1600m, he would automatically qualify for the IHSA State Championships!

 Additional athletes in the fast heat of the 1600m run include: Oak Park River Forest Junior Paul Clancy (4:42.10), Whitney Young Sophomore Charles Sandberg (4:41.36), Lake View Senior Luis Gomez (4:41.21), Steinmetz Senior Alexis Sarabia (4:40.41), Lane Tech Junior Luis Ramirez (4:39.74), Lincoln Park Senior Michael Stubna (4:37.43), Jones College Prep Sophomore Alex Behle (4:36.90), Taft Junior Abraham Tobias (4:35.87), Whitney Young Senior Michael Perez (4:32.24), St. Ignatius Senior Taylor Dugas (4:30.16), Oak Park River Forest Sophomore Jack Monaghan (4:29.10), Jones College Prep Junior Kyle Maloney, Lane Tech Senior David Schmieg,  and St. Ignatius Senior Chris Korabik.   

 Northside Freshman Kyle Friedler has the fastest "seed" time in Section I of the 3200m run. Northside Junior Adrian Black is seeded #6 in Section II of the 3200m.

 Northside Senior Lucien Fitzpatrick is in the Top flight for High Jump and Triple Jump. Fitzpatrick is also in the "FAST" heat for the 300m Hurdles.

 Northside Junior Ari Perlmutter is in the Top flight for Shot Put. Northside Junior Porter Abbey is in the Top flight for Long Jump. 

 Northside is also in the "FAST" heat in the 4x800m Relay and the 4x400m Relay at IHSA Sectional Championships!

 The Chicago Public League is the largest Conference in the United States, and features over 70 High Schools. The Top 8 individuals or Relays in each event earn Medals and All City Honors.

 In the High Jump, Dunbar Senior Carzelle Elicke won it with a jump of 6'2. Northside Senior Lucien Fitzpatrick finished in fourth place with a PERSONAL BEST jump of 6'0. Lucien Fitzpatrick earned All City Honors and was awarded a MEDAL for finishing in fourth place overall.

 In the Triple Jump, Northside Senior Lucien Fitzpatrick finished in fifth place with a PERSONAL BEST jump of 41'7.25. Lucien Fitzpatrick earned All City Honors and was awarded a MEDAL for finishing in fifth place overall.

 In the Discus, Northside Senior Henry Lothschutz finished in 12th place with an outstanding throw of 107'00. 

 In the 110m Hurdles, Northside Senior Lucien Fitzpatrick BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD for the second time this week with a PERSONAL BEST time of 15.20. Lucien Fitzpatrick will be honored in practice on Monday and awarded a WATERMELON for breaking the school record in the 110m Hurdles! Lucien Fitzpatrick earned All City Honors and was awarded a MEDAL for finishing in fourth place overall.

 Prior to the Spartan Relays (May 2), Northside Captain Malcolm Grba donated blood to the American Red Cross. Malcolm Grba is an incredible person, and his donation will make a difference, and save lives.

 However, it takes an athlete's body two to four weeks to replace the red blood cells (the cells that deliver oxygen to muscles and tissues).

 High-performance competitive athletes notice a marginal decrease in exercise tolerance for a week after the donation. Malcolm Grba had a resting heart rate of 77, after donating blood. It has recently returned to 48. 

 Malcolm Grba ran in the 4x800m Relay during the CPS Varsity Championships, and the mustangs hope to have him at full strength in time for the 800m run at IHSA Sectionals.

 Northside ran the SAME four Athletes in the 4x800m Relay at both the CPS Prelims and the CPS Finals.

 Captain Malcolm Grba, Junior Max McCoy, Sophomore Matthew Gomez, and Senior Cesar Rufino ran an official 4x800m Relay time of 8:55.07 at the CPS Prelims.

 The SAME four Athletes dropped nine seconds in the finals to reach the MEDAL stand by finishing in sixth place overall with an official time of 8:46.11.

 In the 4x800m Relay, Northside Junior Malcolm Grba ran the first 400m in 60 seconds, and then ran the final 400m in 63 seconds for an 800m split of 2:03.60, and then made a perfect exchange to Junior Max McCoy. Max McCoy ran the first 400m in 65 seconds, and then ran the final 400m in 67 seconds for a personal best 800m split of 2:12.60, and then made a nice exchange to Sophomore Matthew Gomez. Matthew Gomez ran the first 400m in 65 seconds, and then ran the final 400m in 69 seconds for an 800m split of 2:14.67, and then made an exchange to Senior Cesar Rufino. Cesar Rufino anchored the Mustangs to sixth place by running the first 400m in 61 seconds, and then running the final 400m in 72 seconds for an 800m split of 2:13.51 for an official time of 8:46.11. Malcolm Grba, Max McCoy, Matthew Gomez, and Cesar Rufino were awarded MEDALS for earning All City Honors in the 4x800m Relay.

 In the 3200m run, Northside Junior Adrian Black ran the first mile in 5:04, and then ran the final mile in 5:13 to finish in ninth place with an official time of 10:17.12.