CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Saturday, April 8, 2017, the Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys TEAM traveled to Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois for the 40th Annual Fred Zeedyk Invitational. Fred Zeedyk was an outstanding 400m runner for Niles West High School. The Fred Zeedyk Invitational has been held since 1976. The Fred Zydek Invitational is a highly competive meet. Fred Zydek would have been proud of the Chicago Northside Mustangs performance on Saturday.

 The meet featured TEN schools, including, Fenwick, Northside College Prep, Yorkville, University High, Antioch, Huntley, Harlem, Mather, Northridge Prep, and host Niles West High School.

 MEDALS were awarded to the top three individuals and relays. Ribbons were awarded for places fourth through sixth.

 Individual events and relays were scored 10-8-6-4-2-1.

 Inches and tenths make a champion.

 In the Sophomore 4x800m Relay, Huntley won it with an official time of 9:23.23. Northside Sophomore Norberto Nieves ran an outstanding 800m split of 2:17.60, on the first leg of the relay, and made a good exchange to John Kim. Northside Sophomore John Kim ran an impressive 800m split of 2:21.43, and made a nice exchange to Jalen Miron. Northside Freshman Jalen Miron dropped 6.80 seconds (2:33.60) for a personal best 800m split of 2:26.80, and made a perfect exchange to Jack Vasilopoulos. Northside Freshman Jack Vasilopoulos dropped 1.10 seconds (2:25.00) with an impressive 800m split of 2:23.90 to anchor Chicago Northside to SECOND place, and past Antioch (9:31.27) with an outstanding time of 9:30.23. Norberto Nieves, John Kim, Jalen Miron, and Jack Vasilopoulos were awarded MEDALS for finishing in SECOND place overall. Antioch finished in third place with an official time of 9:31.27. Niles West finished in fourth place with an official time of 9:53.51. Yorkville finished in sixth place to complete the scoring with an official time of 10:01.60. Walter Payton finished in seventh place with an official time of 10:19.34.

 In the Sophomore 3200m, Northside Sophomore Kris Ushijima finished in FIFTH place with an outstanding time of 10:56.12. Kris Ushijima was awarded a RIBBON for finishing in fifth place overall. Northside Freshman Seth Karall dropped 18 seconds (11:52) to finish in tenth place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 11:34.87.

 In the Sophomore 4x400m Relay, Northside Freshman Jeronimo Najarro ran a 62.40 400m split on the first leg of the relay. Northside Freshman Seth Karall ran a 69.40 400m split on the second leg of the relay. Northside Sophomore Kris Ushijima ran a 64.90 on the third leg of the relay. Northside Freshman Marcus Zinke anchored the Chicago Northside Mustangs to SIXTH place overall with an impressive 61.70 400m split for an official time of 4:18.40. Jeronimo Najarro, Seth Karall, Kris Ushijima, and Marcus Zinke earned RIBBONS by finishing in sixth place overall.

 The Northside Sophomore Boys scored 11 points, and posted victories over Fenwick (8 points), Mather (4 points), and Northridge Prep (2.5 points).

 For Official Results for the Fred Zeedyk Invitational: Niles West Fred Zeedyk Invitational

SOPHOMORE POINTS SCORED AT NILES WEST

1. Kris Ushijima 2.25
2. Norberto Nieves 2.00
2. John Kim 2.00
2. Jack Vasilopoulos 2.00
2. Jalen Miron 2.00
3. Jeronimo Najarro 0.25
3. Marcus Zinke 0.25
3. Seth Karall 0.25
 

SOPHOMORE POINTS SEASON TOTAL (5 Meets)

1. Khristian Jones 40.50
2. Chris Jackson 28.50
3. Norberto Nieves 28.00
4. Jack Vasilopoulos 26.00
5. Kris Ushijima 21.75
6. Osazee Osaghae 19.00
7. John Kim 18.50
8. Marcus Zinke 16.00
9. Suchith Karri 13.25
10. Josh Burns 13.00
11. Seth Karall 12.50
12. Gabriel Vara 11.25
13. Ikeena Elue 6.00
13. Ian Shimandle 6.00
14. Jalen Miron 4.50
15. Jeronimo Najarro 4.25
16. Jack Peterson 4.00
17. Cameron Boulanger 3.50
18. Aaron Williams 2.00
18. Natnael Seyum 2.00
19. Payton Kane 1.50

 On Saturday, April 1, 2017, Northside traveled to River Park Track in Chicago, Illinois for the FIRST Outdoor Track meet of the seaosn, the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The meet featured a record 476 athletes and 11 High schools, including, Chicago Leo High School (2012 IHSA State Track and Field Champions), Chicago Bulls College Prep, Von Steuben, University High (University of Chicago Lab School), Chicago Christ the King, Amundsen, Lincoln Park, Steinmetz, Intrinsic, Cristo Rey, and host Northside College Prep.

 The 2017 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic provided a very special Track & Field experience for all participants. Medals were awarded to the Top 3 Athletes in each event. The Medals are engraved with each athlete's name on it, and shipped to each respective school.

 Goody bags were also given to all participants on every team.

 Once a Northside athlete holds the school record and has qualified for the IHSA State Track & Field Championships in that event, the event is then named after the athlete in the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic, beginning the following year.

 Plaques were awarded to the winner of the High Jump in honor of Northside Alumni Eric Nelson, the winner of the 1600m run in honor of Northside Alumni Danny Rosen, the winner of the 3200m run in honor of Northside IHSA State qualifier and record holder Kyle Friedler, the winner of the Long Jump in honor of Northside Alumni Josh Williams, the winner of the 400m run in honor of Northside Alumni Mac Melto, the winner of the 110m Hurdles in honor of Northside Alumni Garret Barch, the winner of the 300m Hurdles in honor of Northside Alumni Justin Washington, and the winners of the 4x800m Relay in honor of Northside Alumni Malcolm Grba, Simon Kafka, Danny Rosen, and Patrick Brennan.

 The meet was scored on the following scale for individual events and relays: 10-8-6-4-2-1.

 Chicago Northside won the 2017 Eric Nelson Classic with a record 152 points, and posted victories over: 2. Leo (108 points), 3. University High (82 points), 4. Steinmetz (57 points), 5. Von Steuben (46 points), 6. Chicago Bulls College Prep (42 points), 7. Lincoln Park (21 points), 8. Amundsen (15 points), 9. Cristo Rey (2 points), 9. Chicago Christ the King (2 points), and 11. Intrinsic (0 points).

 The Northside Varsity Men started the 2017 Outdoor Track and Field season with a record of 10-0.

The first event of the Eric Nelson Track and Field Classic was the 110m Hurdles. Northside hurdlers, and Coach David Diaz have been working hard this season, and at the Eric Nelson Classic they received their first reward of the season.

In the Varsity 110m Hurdles, Northside Junior Elias Decker dropped 3.48 seconds (21.01) to WIN the 110m Hurdles with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17.53. The level of improvement from 2016 to 2017 was incredible! Elias Decker will be awarded a PLAQUE for winning the Garret Barch 110m Hurdles! Northside Senior Jay Borgwardt dropped 0.87 of a second (18.41) to finish in SECOND place in the 110m Hurdles with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17.54. Jay Borgwardt will be awarded a MEDAL for finishing in second place overall. Northside Junior Asher Rappaport dropped 1.22 seconds (20.17) to finish in THIRD place in the 110m Hurdles with a PERSONAL BEST time of 18.95. Asher Rappaport will be awarded a MEDAL for finishing in third place overall. Rappaport is scheduled to hurdle next at the Deerfield Warrior Classic on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Northside Senior Jack Nolan dropped 1.15 seconds (20.56) with a PERSONAL BEST time of 19.41. Nolan is scheduled to hurdle next at the Deerfield Warrior Classic on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Amundsen's Isaiah Morris finished in fifth place with an official time of 20.41. Northside Freshman phenom Josh Burns finished in sixth place to complete the scoring with a PERSONAL BEST time of 21.68. Josh Burns earned a Varsity letter in Track & Field by scoring a Varsity point in a Varsity Track meet. Northside Junior Josh Aladesuru finished in seventh place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 26.01. Northside Junior Xan Quang finished in eighth place with an official time of 36.11.

The second event of the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic was the 100m Dash.

The field featured among others, 2017 Indoor State Qualifier Charles Marks, and 2016 IHSA 100m State Qualifier Osazee Osaghae. It was an outstanding first race in the 100m dash to start the 2017 Outdoor Track season.

 In the 100m Dash, Leo Senior Michael Mays won it with an official time of 11.46. University High Senior Charles Marks finished in second place with an official time of 11.69. Northside Sophomore Osazee Osaghae finished in THIRD place with a season best time of 11.84. Osazee Osaghae will be awarded a MEDAL for finishing in third place overall. Northside Junior Guy Lohoua dropped 0.42 of a second (12.34) to finish in FIFTH place overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 11.92.

 Northside Junior Daniel Agbeo dropped 1.22 seconds (13.55) to finish in ninth place overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 12.33. The Northside coaching staff is looking forward to Agbeo running in the 4x100m Relay at the Niles West Paul Gans Invitational on Saturday, April 8, 2017.