News and Announcements
Northside Track & Field Class of 2011 - Where are they now?
NINA COOMES - University of Chicago - National Honor Society - German Honor Society - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
ANDRES DELGADO - University of Illinois at Urbana
ROBIN DOHERTY - University of Minnesota - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
OTTMAR FLORES - Illinois Institute of Technology - Prairie State Achievement Award
LUIS GAYTAN - Denison University - Prairie State Achievement Award
KARLYN GEHRING - Oberlin College - National Honor Society - Spanish Honor Society - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
ASHLEY KOSSAKOWSKI - Cornell University - National Honor Society - Spanish Honor Society - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
WESLEY LAYTHAM - Davidson College - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
CHARLES MESIMORE - Cornell College - Prairie State Achievement Award
HERSHEL PERLMUTTER - University of Michigan - National Honor Society - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
LINDSEY SHALLBERG - Northeastern University - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
LUKASZ SOBIERAJ - Vassar College - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
ALLEN TU - University of Illinois at Chicago - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
ERIK ZUEHLKE - Northwestern University - Illinois State Scholar - Prairie State Achievement Award
2011 Senior Male Athlete of the Year: Wesley Laytham
On Friday, June 3, 2011, Northside Head Track & Field Coach Jon Gordon received a fantastic email from the Northside administration informing him that the winner of the 2011 Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award was Wesley Laytham. Laytham will be honored at Navy Pier at the Senior Awards luncheon at noon, on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 on the cruise ship, the Spirit of Chicago.
There are over 23 sports at Northside College Prep. The Senior Male Athlete award is given annually at Graduation to the best Athlete in the Senior Class. It is the highest honor an athlete can receive at graduation.
For only the third time in Northside history, a member of the Northside Track Team won the award, Senior Captain Wesley Laytham.
Wesley Laytham is one of the greatest athletes to ever wear the uniform. In 2010, Wesley Laytham qualified for the IHSA State Track & Field Championships in the 800m run. In 2011, Wesley Laytham ran faster, by breaking the school record in the 800m run with a 1:57.49. In 2011, Wesley Laytham also scored the most points (114) by a Senior on the entire Track & Field Team. Wesley Laytham also holds SEVEN schools records, the most by any athlete in Northside history. Wesley Laytham has also earned EIGHT Varsity letters at Northside (4 in Cross Country, 4 in Track).
Wesley Laytham has the strength of a thrower, the speed of a sprinter, and the endurance of a distance runner. He has won multiple MVP awards in Track & Field. Wesley Laytham holds the school record in the 800m run, 4x100m Relay, 4x400 Relay, 4x800m Relay, Sprint Medley Relay, Distance Medley Relay, and 4x1600m Relay. The 800m run is named after him, at the Mustangs home meet, the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. Laytham is also on the All Time list in the weight room for Pull-ups, Squats, and Bench Press.
Wesley scored more points than 47 Teams in the 2011 Outdoor Chicago Public League Track & Field Championships! Wesley Laytham's picture is also on permanent display in the Northside Trophy case.
Laytham is also a great Captain, leader, and has personally mentored many athletes on the Northside Track and Cross Country Teams, including Pat Duffy, and Ezra Edgerton.
In Cross Country, Wesley Laytham helped the Mustangs to their first ever IHSA Regional Title in any Mens sport in 2008. Laytham also helped the Mustangs to their first ever Chicago Public League Title in 2009. In his Senior year, he was co-winner of the MVP Award, and qualified for the IHSA Sectional Championships for the fourth consectutive year.
Wesley Laytham also has one of the highest GPA (5.06) out of 35,000 Chicago Public School student-athletes. In addition to School, Cross Country, and Track, Laytham also worked long hours every week at Best Buy.
Laytham always put the TEAM first, and was always willing to do anything to make the TEAM better, including running in the 4x100m Relay. Wesley Laytham also pushed his Teammates in all workouts, even if he was leading the workout, to make the TEAM better. Wesley Laytham is a very special individual.
Wesley Laytham will be attending, and running for NCAA Division I Davidson College. Among other honors, Davidson College had the Southern Conference 800m Champion last year. Laytham is part of a very special Senior Class, that includes collegiate runners, Charlie Mesimore (Cornell), Erik Zuehlke (Northwestern), Luis Gaytan (Denison), and Nina Coomes (University of Chicago). Northside is looking forward to following all of the above athletes in college next year.
At the end of every Track meet, Wesley Laytham leads the Team huddle, and honors each member of the Team. Wesley Laytham is one of the greatest leaders, athletes, and individuals in the history of Northside College Prep.
Northside Track & Field TEAM honored at the East Bank Club!!! GREATEST TRACK TEAM in Northside history!!!
On Friday, June 3, 2011, the Northside Track & Field Team was honored at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Illinois. Northside hosted the most spectacular track & field banquet in the country! It ranks right up there with the Hesiman Trophy Presentation at the New York Athletic Club. A very special Northside College Prep Track & Field TEAM tradition was started at the East Bank Club in honor of the greatest Track & Field Team in Northside history!!!
Northside athletes, coaches, parents, and distinguished guests started the evening with an incredible Italian Buffet Dinner. Everyone took several trips through the buffet line, it was one of the most amazing meals the Team and coaching staff ever had in their entire lives.
The Team Dinner, included Mushroom Tortellini in white wine, herbs, and cheese, Chicken Vesuio with potatoes and peas, Pan-Seared Salmon in tomato-fennel sauce, and Cheese Stuffed aracini with marinara on the side. Antipasto, included Romaine Hearts with caesar dressing, Prosciutto with melon, Vegetable Antipasto Salad, Mushroom and Spinach Salad. The Italian Buffet Dinner also included Flatbread, Grissini, Filone, and Ciabatta with dipping oil and parmesan. Desserts included, Tiramisu with espresso sauce, Fresh Fruit, and Cannolis.
After Dinner, Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, first honored the Northside parents, and each member of his Coaching Staff. Gordon provided each member of the coaching staff with a special engraved pen in honor of their outstanding service to Northside.
Next, each event coach, Charlies Milbert (Throws), David Diaz (Hurdles and Jumps), Kwaku Attoh (sprints), and Jon Gordon (Distance), presented Letter Awards to their event groups. Assistant Coaches Jose Nebrida and Joe Hetland helped distribute each letter award.
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon then presented the most prestigous Team Awards, Freshman Academic Awards, Freshman Mustang Awards, Freshman MVP Awards, Sophomore Academic Awards, Sophomore Mustang Awards, Sophomore MVP Awards, City Champion Plaques (13), School Record Breaker Plaques (21), Indoor City Champion Runners-Up Trophies, Varsity Academic Award, Varsity Cal Ripken, Jr. Award, Varsity Mustang Award, Varsity MVP Award (3), IHSA All Sectional Bronze Statues (2), and the IHSA State Qualifer Champaign Cup Trophy.
The 2011 Northside Track & Field Team earned more awards than any single team in the history of Northside College Prep!
After the Awards, the athletes made a very special presentation to the Coaching Staff. The Northside Coaching staff is very greatful for having the hardest working TEAM in Illinois!
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was presented with a set of handcrafted, engraved Northside College Prep Mustang logo glasses. There were only five sets ever made, and Coach Jon Gordon was given the honor of receiving one of the complete sets. Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon plans to use the glasses after each victory!
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was also presented with a card signed by the Team, and a very generous gift check for hundreds of dollars. Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was also presented with a very nice gift certifcate to Jamba Juice.
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon was also presented with special multi framed photos of some of the greatest Northside Track & Field moments in history! The picture frame has the following engraved caption, "Students may forget what you said but they will never forget the way you made them feel."
Each member of the coaching staff was also presented with an autographed card, and very generous gift checks for hundreds of dollars.
The Northside Coaching staff would like to thank the Northside Men and Women Track & Field Team again for their very generous monetary gifts, autographed cards, and most importantly, for their hard work this season. It was the best banquet that we have ever been to in our entire coaching careers. The family-type atmosphere of the Northside Track & Field Team is second to none. This Team has enriched us immeasurably and we hope that the athletes take as much away from this season as you have given us. You are the greatest individuals, on and off the field. Thank you again for an outstanding season.
