CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

The Northside Track & Field Team has a tradition, in which a Watermelon is awarded to any athlete that breaks a school record. In addition to the Watermelon, athletes also receive a plaque at the June Track & Field Banquet.

During Indoor season, Watermelons are flown in as far away as Guatamalya because they are out of season in the United States. 

Chicago Produce, and Pete's Farm Market have not been able to keep up with the demand for Watermelons for Northside School Records this season.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, the Northside Varsity Men and Women Track Team had a record 13 athletes break school records at the Deerfield Classic.

Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon turned to Jewel in search of Watermelons for his record holders. Fortunately, Gordon found 15 full-size watermelons at Jewel.

Gordon put 13 of them in his cart, and then watched Jewel Customers fight for the two remaining Watermelons. Jewel Customers figured if he is buying 13 of them, they must be good.

 On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, the Northside Varsity Men, and Sophomore-Freshman Boys traveled to Deerfield High School for the Deerfield Classic. Prior to the start of the meet, Deerfield High School honored all of the Senior athletes on their Track Team, by having each Senior athlete walk 100m on the Track with their parents between two lines of Deerfield athletes clapping, and cheering, as each Senior athlete's career highlights were announced over the loud speaker. Several of the highlights included State meet performances, and outstanding performances against rival Highland Park High School.  

 Deerfield High School is one of the most friendly places, and highly competive places to compete against in the Central Suburban League. Deerfield won the Central Suburban League Indoor Conference title, and are favorites to win their IHSA Sectional this year. The Northside Mustangs rose up to the challenge, and had their best meet of the season, breaking school records in the 100m Dash, 4x100m Relay, 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, and 4x400m Relay.

 In the Long Jump, Deerfield's Hendel won it with a jump of 19'6. Northside Senior Martin Melto finished in second place with a jump of 18'7. Deerfield's Matt Dorfman finished in third place with a jump of 18'2.5. Northside Senior Albert Lin finished in fourth place with a jump of 18'2.25. Northside Freshman Derek Lin jumped 13'9. Northside Sophomore Neel Patel jumped 10'10.

 In the Triple Jump, Deerfield's Rob Bors won it with a jump of 39'6.5. Northside Senior Albert Lin finished in second place with a jump of 38'7.25. Deerfield's Mike Grzeshowak finished in third place with a jump of 37'5. Northside Senior Martin Melto finished in fourth place with a jump of 35'7.5. Northside Freshman Josh Williams jumped an outstanding 32'5.5. Northside Freshman Jusuf Skelic jumped 32'4.5. Northside Freshman Derek Lin jumped 31'6.5.

 In the High Jump, Northside Senior Eric Nelson won it with an outstanding jump of 6'3.

 In the Shot Put, Northside Senior Eric Nelson threw an outstanding 40'9.

 In the Discus, Northside Senior Eric Nelson threw an outstanding 114'3.  

(Coming soon: Complete High Jump, Shot Put, and Discus Results)

In the Sophomore-Freshman 4x800m Relay, Northside Freshman Jusuf Skelic ran a 2:20.31 (65/75) 800m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Freshman Taylor Kuehn. Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran a 2:24.69 (69/75) 800m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Michael Loftus. Michael Loftus ran a 2:37.00 800m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Danny Sobor. Danny Sobor anchored the Mustangs with a 2:31.00 800m split, for a total time of 9:53.

In the Varsity 4x800m Relay, Northside Senior Jon Kittaka ran a personal best 2:08.78 800m split on the first leg of the relay. Kittaka ran the first 400m in 60 seconds, and the final 400m in 68.78 seconds and made a nice exchange to Senior Simon Vecchioni. Simon Vecchioni ran a 2:21.22 800m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Erik Zuehlke. Erik Zuehlke ran a 2:19.00 800m split on the third leg of the relay and made a nice exchange to Junior Cooper Eben. Cooper Eben anchored the Mustangs to second place with a 2:15.00 800m split, for a total time of 9:04.00.

In the Sophomore-Freshman 4x100m Relay, Northside Freshman Richard Do, Derek Lin, Luis Mesa, and Josh Williams ran in their first 4x100m Relay together in preparation for the Freshman 4x100m Relay at the Windy City Classic Relays on April 18, 2009. Unfortunately, due to Northside Assistant Sprints Coach David Diaz's watch malfunction, we did not have splits for the Deerfield Sophomore-Freshman 4x100m Relay race.

In the Varsity 4x100m Relay, Northside upset Deerfield to WIN it and BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a time of 46.32. Northside Senior Martin Melto ran a 12.11 100m split on the first leg of the relay. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran a 12.48 100m split on the second leg of the relay. Northside Senior Albert Lin ran a 11.34 100m split on the third leg of the relay. Northside Junior Hunter Speese ran a 10.39 100m split to anchor the Mustangs to FIRST PLACE with a new school record of 46.32.

In the Varsity 3200m run, Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss won it with a personal best time of 9:47.00. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 30 seconds from the Fenton Indoor Classic. It was also the fastest 3200m time in the CPS this season. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss is now within 10 seconds of the automatic qualiying time in the 3200m run for the State Championships. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first Mile in 4:54, and then ran a negative split of 4:53 for a personal best time of 9:47.00. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran 400m splits of 69, 76 (2:25 800m), 75 (3:40 1200m), 74 (4:53 Mile), 74, 75, 75, and a 69 on the final 400m of the race for a personal best time of 9:47.00. Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore finished in second place with an outstanding time of 10:23.00 to secure vital points for the Mustangs. Charlie Mesimore also had his strongest start to a race this season. Charlie Mesimore ran the first Mile in 5:04, and then ran a 5:19 for an outstanding time of 10:23 to tie his personal best time. Charlie Mesimore ran 400m splits of 70, 76 (2:26 800m), 79 (3:40 1200m), 79 (5:04 Mile), 81, 79, 81, and a 78 on the final 400m of the race for an outstanding time of 10:23. Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan ran a time of 12:22. Northside Senior Coleman Gailloreto ran a time of 13:29.

In the Varsity 110m Hurdles, Northside Sophomore Hersh Perlmutter BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 16.70! Perlmutter dropped 1.38 seconds off his PR! Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon ran a personal best time of 20.44. Northside Sophomore Neel Patel ran a personal best time of 22.56. Northside Freshman Dan Graham ran a personal best time of 23.10. Northside Sophomore Mohammed Ahmed ran a personal best time of 26.75.

In the Varsity 100m Dash, Northside Freshman Mac Melto BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 11.41. Northside Junior Hunter Speese ran a personal best time of 11.66. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran a personal best time of 11.94. Northside Senior Albert Lin ran a personal best time of 11.96. Northside Freshman Richard Do ran a personal best time of 12.88. Northside Freshman Luis Mesa ran a personal best time of 13.25. Northside Sophomore Samuel Ruiz ran an outstanding time of 13.84. Northside Sophomore Kevin Aguilar ran a personal best time of 14.00. Northside Sophomore Anton Garzha ran a time of 14.10. Northside Sophomore Andres Del Gado ran an outstanding time of 14.15. Northside Sophomore Mohammed Ahmed ran a personal best time of 14.15. Northside Sophomore Jesus Bruno ran a time of 15.22. 

In the Varsity 800m run, Northside Freshman Juan Ringor ran a personal best time of 2:28 (72/76). Northside  Freshman Josh Williams ran an outstaning time of 2:34 (74/80). Northside Freshman Fabian Lara ran a time of 2:41.5. Northside Freshman Dan Graham ran a time of 2:48.5. Northside Sophomore Fermie Ma ran a time of 2:55.

In the Varsity 4x200m Relay, Northside Senior Martin Melto cut his hand on a spike as the gun went off, and ran a 28.54 200m split on the first leg of the relay. Northside Senior Brian Chhun ran a 24.56 200m split on the second leg of the relay. Northside Junior Hunter Speese ran a 25.44 200m split on the third leg of the relay. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran a 24.25 200m split, to anchor the Mustangs to second place with a time of 1:42.79.

In the Varsity 400m run, Northside Freshman Mac Melto won it with an outstanding time of 54.19. Northside Freshman Luis Mesa ran a personal best time of 64.63. Northside Sophomore Andres Del Gado ran a personal best time of 70.40. Northside Sophomore Anton Garzha ran a time of 79.14.

In the Varsity 300m Hurdles, Northside Sophomore Hersh Perlmutter BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 46.34. Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon ran an outstanding time of 49.78. Northside Sophomore Neel Patel ran a personal best time of 60.78.

In the Varsity Mile, Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished in second place overall with a season best time of 4:43.00. Laytham ran the first 400m in 63 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 75 seconds (2:18 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 73 seconds (3:31 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in 72 seconds for a season best time of 4:43. Northside Senior Jon Kittaka finished in third place with an outstanding time of 4:50.70. Jon Kittaka ran the first 400m in 65 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 76 seconds (2:21 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 77 seconds (3:38 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in 72.70 for a season best time of 4:50.70. Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished in fourth place with an outstanding time of 4:55.60. Cooper Eben ran the first 400m in 67 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 75 seconds (2:22 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 77 seconds (3:39 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in 76.60 seconds for an outstanding time of 4:55.60. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehle ran a personal best time of 5:09 (2:31/2:38). Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran a personal best time of 5:11 (2:32/2:39). Northside Senior Simon Vecchioni ran a personal best time of 5:15 (2:39/2:36). Northside Freshman Jusuf Skelic ran a personal best time of 5:22. Northside Freshman Juan Ringor ran a personal best time of 5:25. Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan ran an outstanding time of 5:34. Northside Sophomore Danny Sobor ran an outstanding time of 5:44. Northside Sophomore Michael Loftus ran an outstanding time of 5:47.

In the Varsity 200m Dash, Northside Freshman Mac Melto won it with an outstanding time of 24.15. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran an outstanding time of 25.29. Northside Freshman Richard Do ran an outstanding time of 28.38. Northside Freshman Cody Rios ran an outstanding time of 28.63. Northside Sophomore Andres Del Gado ran an outstanding time of 30.68. Northside Sophomore Anton Garzha ran a time of 33.38.

In the Varsity 4x400m Relay, Deerfield High School had eight 4x400m relay entries (32 runners), against one Northside 4x400m Relay. The 4x400m relay is one of the most celebrated events at Deerfield. All nine relays ran in the same heat. The Mustangs were given the middle lane, against eight Deerfield 4x400m Relays. Despite those odds, Northside's performance in the 4x400m Relay was one for the ages, and shocked Deerfield. The race was toe to toe to the finish. Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran a 55.21 400m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Northside Senior Brian Chhun. Brian Chhun ran a 55.61 400m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham, who had just recovered from the Mile. Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham ran a personal best 53.20 400m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore. Sophomore Charlie Mesimore ran a personal best 57.75 400m split, to BREAK THE SCHOOL RECORD, and anchor the Mustangs to second place, with a school record time of 3:41.67. The Mustangs broke the school record by over six seconds!!! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss, Brian Chhun, Wesley Laytham, and Charlie Mesimore will be honored in practice on Thursday for breaking the school record, and awarded Watermelons, and plaques at the June Track & Field Banquet.

The Northside Varsity Men will travel to Hanson Stadium on Saturday, April 18, 2009 for the Windy City Classic Relays.

 On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, the Northside Varsity Women, and Sophomore-Freshman Girls traveled to Deerfield High School for the Deerfield Classic. The meet featured Northside College Prep and host Deerfield High School.

 Deerfield High School is one of the most friendly places, and highly competive places to compete against in the Central Suburban League. The Northside Mustangs rose up to the challenge, and had their best meet of the season, breaking the school record in the 100m Dash, and came within one second of Northside 4x800m Relay record.

(Coming soon: Complete Results)

On Thursday, April 9, 2009, the Northside Varsity Mens Track & Field Team traveled to River Park Track in Chicago, Illinois for the 9th Annual Mather Invitational. The meet featured Steinmetz, Chicago Vocational, Chicago Academy, Northside College Prep, Foreman, Von Steuben, Kennedy, CICS-Northtown, Curie, Gage Park, Lakeview, Harlen, Schurz, Lincoln Park, Marshall, Fenger, De LaSalle, Hyde Park, Lane Tech, Urban Prep, Payton, and host Mather.

Lane Tech won the meet with 143 points. Harlan finished in second place with 111 points. Mather finished in third place with 78 points.

Northside finished in fourth place with 65 points, and posted victories over IHSA Sectional rival De LaSalle High School (62 points), Payton (42 points), Marshall (32 points), Lincoln Park (28 points), Urban Prep (27 points), Hyde Park (19 Points), Lake View (19 points), Fenger (18 points), Steinmetz (13 points), Chicago Vocational (2 points), Kennedy (2 points), Schurz (1 point), Von Steuben (1 point), Chicago Academy (0 points), Foreman (0 points), CICS-Northtown (0 points), Curie (0 points), and Gage Park (0 points).

In the Triple Jump, Northside Senior Eric Nelson BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD to WIN it with a personal best jump of 41'01.75. Eric Nelson will be honored at practice on Monday, and will be awarded a Watermelon for breaking the school record. Nelson will also receive a record breaker plaque at the June 4, 2009 Track & Field Banquet. Payton Senior Donovan Harris finished in second place with a jump of 40'08. Harlan Junior Melvin Johnson finished in third place with a jump of 39'11. Harlan Senior Sanyahte Wadlington finished in fourth place with a jump of 39'6.75. Lane Tech Junior Jonathan Jackson finished in fifth place with a jump of 39'2.50. Lane Tech Senior Stephon Freeman finished in sixth place with a jump of 38'09. Marshall Senior Corey Davidson finished in seventh place with a jump of 38'06.25. Mather Senior Bruce Hawk completed the scoring by finishing in eighth place with a jump of 38'00.25. Northside Senior Albert Lin Jumped an outstanding 35'10.00.

In the High Jump, Northside Senior Eric Nelson won it with an outstanding jump of 6'3. Harlan Junior Trevor Gills finished in second place with a jump of 5'8. Lane Tech Sophomore Mark Brand finished in third place with a jump of 5'8. Lane Tech Senior Diatre Brown finished in fourth place with a jump of 5'4. Northside Junior Hunter Speese tied for fifth place with two athletes (Adem Klajko, Lane Tech, and Eddie Seda, Mather), with a jump of 5'2. Steinmetz Junior Devon Scott completed the scoring by finishing in eighth place with a jump of 5'2. 

In the Long Jump, Harlan Junior Melvin Johnson won it with a jump of 20'04. Mather Senior Bruce Hawk finished in second place with a jump of 19'09.25. Lane Tech Sophomore Kevin Martinez finished in third place with a jump of 19'4.50. Payton Senior Donovan Harris finished in fourth place with a jump of 19'02.75. Steinmetz Junior Cory Stevenson finished in fifth place with a jump of 19'00.00. Marshall Senior Deandre Dodson finished in sixth place with a jump of 18'10.00. Lane Tech Sophomore Kevin Eichie finished in seventh place with a jump of 18'09.50. Lane Tech Junior completed the scoring by finishing in eighth place with a jump of 18'09.50. Northside Senior Albert Lin jumped an outstanding 18'02'.75. Northside Sophomore Luke Sobieraj jumped a personal best 17'3. Northside Freshman Derek Lin jumped a personal best 15'00.50.

In the Discus, Northside Senior Eric Nelson finished in sixth place with a season best throw of 101'00. Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon threw an outstanding 76'04.

In the Shot Put, Northside Senior Eric Nelson finished in seventh place with an outstanding throw of 38'02.00.

In the Open Mile, Northside Freshman Fabian Lara led the Mustangs with a personal best time of 5:53. Northside Freshman Luis Mesa ran a personal best time of 6:27. Northside Sophomore Noman Lashkariya ran a personal best time of 6:30. Northside Sophomore Fermie Ma ran a personal best time of 6:40. Northside Sophomore Mohammed Ahmed ran a personal best time of 7:46.

In the 4x800m Relay, Northside Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first leg of the relay in 2:20.56. Northside Freshman Pat Duffy ran the second leg of the relay in 2:17.83. Northside Sophomore Fahad Sarvari ran the third leg of the relay in 2:25.00. Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon anchored the Mustangs to fourth place with a 2:27.76 800m split on the final leg of the relay.

In the 4x100m Relay, Northside Junior Hunter Speese ran the first leg of the relay in 13.54 100m split, and had trouble with the exchange to Senior Brian Chhun. Brian Chhun ran the second leg of the relay in 10.76 100m split, and made a nice exchange to Senior Albert Lin. Albert Lin ran the third leg of the relay in 12.76 100m split, and mace a nice exchange to Wemi Jemine. Senior Wemi Jemine anchored the Mustangs to 9th place, with a 10.66 100m split to BREAK THE SCHOOL RECORD with an official time of 47.81.  

In the 3200m run, Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished in eighth place in the Varsity with a personal best time of 10:59.86!!! Kuehn dropped 25 seconds off his PR!!! Mather Sophomore Tarik Estrada finished in ninth place with a time of 11:07.79. De Lasalle Junior Jacob Bugajski finished in tenth place with a time of 11:10.68. Lane Tech Sophomore Max Silva fnished in eleventh place with a time of 11:14.92. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke ran a personal best time of 11:20.04 to finish in twelfth place. Zuehlke dropped 25 seconds from the Mustang Classic. Northside Freshman Juan Ringor ran a personal best time of 11:51.56.

In the Varsity 110m Hurdles, Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon ran a time of 21.29. Northside Senior Albert Lin ran a time of 22.17.

In the Varsity 100m Dash, Northside Senior Wemi Jemine BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 11.89. Northside Sophomore Luke Sobieraj ran a time of 12.75. 

In the Varsity 800m Run, Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss prepared for the race by training in California, running on a hilly terrain, and on the Track, while visiting Stanford and UC-Berkely. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 2:03.16 to place third overall in a photo finish to Lakeview Senior Romeo Jurado (2:03.04) and Mather Senior Ivan Coronel (2:03.15). Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first 400m in 59 seconds, and the final 400m in 64 seconds for a personal best time of 2:03.16. Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham outkicked Urban Prep Junior Marlon Marshall (2:06.43) to the finish, to place fourth overall with a personal best time of 2:06.28. Wesley Laytham ran the first 400m in 60 seconds, and the final 400m in 66 seconds for a personal best time of 2:06.28. Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore ran a time of 2:18.14. Charlie Mesimore ran the first 400m in 64 seconds, and the final 400m in 74 seconds for a time of 2:18.14.

In the Varsity 4x200m Relay, Northside Freshman Fabian Lara ran a 28.12 200m split on the first leg of the relay. Northside Senior Brian Chhun ran a 26.00 200m split on the second leg of the relay. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran a 26.25 200m split on the third leg of the relay. Northside Senior Wemi Jemine anchored the Mustangs with a 23.54 200m split, to anchor the Mustangs to a time of 1:43.91.

In the Varsity 400m Dash, Northside Sophomore Luke Sobieraj ran a time of 58.99. Northside Senior Simon Vecchioni ran a time of 60.78.

In the Varsity 300m Hurdles, Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon ran a time of 53.08.

In the Varsity Mile, the Mustangs 1-2 punch of Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss and Wesley Laytham took first and second respectively. Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first 400m in 71 seconds, and then ran the second 400m in 72 seconds (2:23 800m), and then ran the next 400m in 68 seconds (3:31 1200m), and then ran the final 400m in 70 seconds to win it with an outstanding time of 4:41.64. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first 800m in 2:23, and then ran a negative split of 2:18 to win it with an outstanding time of 4:41.64. Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham showed incredible mental toughness, and guts in the Mile, running with only one shoe on his feet. It's hard enough to run barefoot, but even tougher to run with only one shoe on, because every stride is uneven. Wesley Laytham's shoes fell off 800m into the race. Wesley Laytham ran the first 400m in 72 seconds, and then ran the second 400m in 73 seconds (2:25 800m), and then one of his shoes fell off, and he had to run the final 800m with only one shoe. Laytham showed incredible determination, and guts, running the next 400m in 70 seconds (3:35 1200m), and then ran an even split of 70 seconds on the final 400m to out kick Lake View Senior Romeo Jurardo to the finish with an outstanding time of 4:45.39. Wesley Laytham ran the first 800m in 2:25, and then ran a negative split of 2:20 to finish in second place overall with an outstanding time of 4:45.39. Lake View Senior Romeo Jurardo finished in third place with an outstanding time of 4:48.28. Payton Junior Jose Mora finished in fourth place with an outstanding time of 4:50.38. Mather Senior Ivan Coronel finished in fifth place with an outstanding time of 4:51.05. Lakeview Sophomore Oscar Medina finished in sixth place with a time of 4:54.55. Mather Senior Omar Caban finished in seventh place with a time of 4:57.58. Lincoln Park Senior Jacob Cetera finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an outstanding time of 4:59.67.  

In the Varsity 200m Dash, Northside Senior Wemi Jemine ran an outstanding time of 25.36. Northside Junior Neal Capapas ran a time of 26.21.

In the Varsity 4x400m Relay, Northside finished in seventh place with a time of 3:55.16. Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran a 56.74 400m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Senior Brian Chhun. Brian Chhun ran a 56.01 400m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Senior Simon Vecchioni. Simon Vecchioni ran a 63.16 400m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Sophomore Wesley Laytham. Wesley Laytham ran a 59.19 400m split, to anchor the Mustangs to seventh place overall, with an outstanding time of 3:55.16.

The Northside Varsity Men, Junior Varsity Boys, and Sophomore-Freshman Boys travel to Deerfield, Illinois on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 to face Glenbrook North and host Deerfield High School in the Deerfield Classic.