CHICAGO MARIST TRACK AND FIELD

 On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Northside traveled to River Park Track in Chicago, Illinois for the FIRST Outdoor Track meet of the seaosn, the Eric Nelson Classic.

 It is important for Northside athletes to learn how to compete in many different weather elements early in the season. The IHSA does not delay a Track & Field meet unless there is lightning, and track meets take place in all kinds of different weather conditions. Several IHSA Sectional and/or State Track & Field meets have taken place in cold, heat, rain, high winds, hail, and even snow.

 Northside was fortunate to experience most of the weather conditions that they will encounter during the season at the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. The race conditions on Saturday, April 2, 2016 included high winds, rain, cold weather, hail, and snow. This experience will be very valuable later in the season.

 The meet featured Chicago Leo High School (2012 IHSA State Track and Field Champions), Chicago Bulls College Prep, Von Steuben, Ogden International, North Lawndale, Chicago Christ the King, Amundsen, and host Northside College Prep.

 The 2016 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 800m run in honor of Northside Alumni Wesley Laytham, 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 Lucien Fitzaptrick, the winner of the 300m Hurdles in honor of Northside Alumni Lucien Fitzpatrick, and the winners of the 4x800m Relay in honor of IHSA State Qualifiers Danny Rosen, and Northside Alumni Malcolm Grba, Simon Kafka, and Patrick Brennan.

 River Park Track was spectacular. It is one of the best venues in Chicago for Track & Field.

 A special thanks to Northside parents Juan and Diana Sotomayor for serving as the clerks of the course, and for checking in over 1,000 athletes, and providing them with hip numbers for each event. 

 A special thanks to the Sotomayor Family, the Franke Family, and the Northside Coaching Staff for helping make over 500 goody bags for the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank the McManus Family for helping transport Tents and Equipment at dawn to River Park Track in preparation for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Distance Coach Michael Giberson, Sprints Coach Matthew Madera, Hurdles Coach Makenzie Carr, Jumps Coach David Diaz, Throws Coach Erasmo De La Cruz, the McManus Family, the Brown Family, the Rosen Family, and the Washington Family for helping with all of the heavy lifting of equipment before and during the meet.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Parent Marc Rosen for taking photos of the 2016 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank the McManus Family, the Friedler Family, the Webster Family, and ALL of the Northside parents that contributed to the hospitality table for the Northside athletes. It helped make the meet a more enjoyable experience for all of the athletes and members of the coaching staff.

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Volunteer Coach Jose Nebrida for providing Bananas for the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The Team would also like to thank North Park University Head Coach Geoff Masanet, and staff for providing Northside with all of the Track & Field Equipment for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. 

 The Team would also like to thank Vera Onate and the Chicago Park District for all of their help in preparation for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. 

 The Team would also like to thank Northside Athletic Director Andrew Mayer for all of his help in preparation and meet management for the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

  Northside would also like to thank IHSA Official Kerry Dean for serving as the Starter for the 2016 Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic. Dean was outstanding!

 Northside would also like to thank Prime Time Timing Services. The meet was finished in record time in difficult conditions thanks to their tremendous efforts. Prime Time Timing Services also published the official results immediately after each event was finished on the wall next to the concession stand. Team scores were also provided after each event.

 Last, the Northside Coaching Staff would like to thank all of the Northside athletes. Hours after the meet ended, Northside athletes stayed at River Park Track putting away equipment. Thanks again.

 The athlete of the meet was Von Steuben Junior Jaime Marcos, who won the 3200m, 800m, and also anchored the Von Steuben 4x400m Relay to victory. Marcos scored 22.5 points.

 The meet was scored on the following scale for individual events and relays: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

 Chicago Northside took a BIG step towards winning the 2016 IHSA Sectional Title by earning important victories against, among others, IHSA Sectional opponents Chicago Bulls College Prep, Amundsen, and North Lawndale.

 Chicago Northside won the 2016 Eric Nelson Classic with a record 209 points, and posted victories over: 2. Leo (128 points), 3. Von Steuben (91 points), 4. Chicago Bulls College Prep (31 points), 4. Amundsen (31 points), 6. North Lawndale (12 points), 7. Ogden International (6 points), and 8. Chicago Christ the King (0 points).

 Northside Sophomore Nicholas Brown is having a BIG year for the Chicago Northside Mustangs. He has become a cornerstone of the Northside Varsity sprint relays and is having a huge impact in individual events as well.

 In 2016, Nicholas Brown has taken over the lead off position for Northside Varsity Sprint Relays. Nicholas Brown helped Northside WIN the 4x160m Relay (1:16.70) and break the school record at the Maine East Blue Demons Invitatoinal. Brown also helped Northside finished in third place at the Indoor CPS Championships in the 4x200m Relay.

 At the 2016 Eric Nelson Classic, Nicholas Brown helped Northside place in the 4x100m Relay, then helped Northside WIN the 4x200m Relay, and then competed against a field of 24 athletes in the 200m dash in high winds and a snow storm.

 In the Varsity 200m dash, Chicago Leo Junior Tyler Goodwin won it with an official time of 24.88. Northside Sophomore Nicholas Brown finished in SECOND place with an outstanding time of 25.27. Nicholas Brown was awarded an engraved MEDAL for finishing in second place overall. Nicholas Brown demonstrated great mental toughness, determination, and secured vital points for the TEAM. Nicholas Brown scored 11.75 points (4x100m, 4x200m, 200m Dash) at the Eric Nelson Classic! Amundsen Junior Solomon Spaulding finished in third place with an official time of 25.66. Northside Junior Brandon Banas finished in fourth place with an official time of 26.04. Brandon Banas had a great day, and also helped Northside score points in the 100m dash and 4x400m Relay. Chicago Leo Matthew Weathers finished in fifth place with an official time of 26.05. Chicago Bulls Junior Antwan Wallace finished in sixth place with an official time of 26.30. Chicago Bulls Junior Jaylon Guyton finished in seventh place with an official time of 26.50. Chicago Bulls Junior Isaiah Marshall finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an official time of 26.59. Northside Sophomore Mason Sotomayor ran an outstanding time of 30.88 against high winds. Sotomayor is having a great season, and recently earned multiple plaques in sprint relays at the Sophomore Indoor Championships at Fenton High School on March 22.

 The key to winning the meet was getting off to good start early, in the 110m Hurdles and the 100m Dash.

 The first event of the day was the 110m Hurdles. Hurdlers compete in the 55m High Hurdles and 55m Low Hurdles during the Indoor season. The Northside Hurdlers have been training for the 110m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles since January, and the Eric Nelson Classic was the first opportunity for athletes to compete in their IHSA Outdoor Track events.

 Northside Hurdles Coach Makenzie Carr has done an amazing job with the Hurdlers this season. The 2016 Northside Track & Field Team is the deepest Team in Hurdle talent in school history. The Chicago Northside Mustangs have ten hurdlers this year, and 7 competed at the Eric Nelson Track & Field Classic.

 The 110m Hurdles at the Eric Nelson Classic is named after Northside Alumni legend Lucien Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick holds the school record for the 110m Hurdles, and qualified for the IHSA State Championships in 2013. 

 The Chicago Northside Hurdlers finished 1-2-3 at the 2016 Eric Nelson Classic!!  

 In the Lucien Fitzpatrick 110m Hurdles at the Eric Nelscon Classic, Northside Senior Garret Barch WON it with an outstanding time of 16.32. Garret Barch will receive an engraved plaque for winning the 110m Hurdles! Northside Senior Justin Washington finished in SECOND place with an outstanding time of 16.82. Justin Washington will receive an engraved MEDAL for finishing in second place overall. Northside Junior Jay Borgwardt finished in THIRD place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 19.07. Jay Borgwardt will eceive an engraved MEDAL for finishing in third place overall. Leo Sophomore Clyde Cobb finished in fourth place with an official time of 19.85. Northside Junior Jack Nolan finished in fifth place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 20.56. Northside Junior Christian Guerrero finished in sixth place with a PERSONAL BEST time of 20.60. Guerrero dropped 0.93 of a second off his best time (21.53). Northside Sophomore Elias Decker hurdled a PERSONAL BEST time of 21.01 to finish in seventh place. Elias Decker dropped 3.12 seconds off his best time (24.13). Leo Senior Russel Lamb finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an official time of 30.88. Northside Sophomore Xan Quang hurdled a personal best time of 60.79.

 Northside Sprints Coach Matthew Madera has done an outstanding job with the Northside Sprinters. In 2016, in addition to a school record in the 4x160m Relay, and one of the Top 3 4x200m Relays at the CPS Indoor Championships, Northside had an athlete reach the MEDAL stand in the 200m dash at the Indoor State Championships. Northside is very strong in Relays and individual sprint events this season.

 The Chicago Northside Sprinters immediately put the Mustangs in the lead at the Eric Nelson Classic. The Chicago Northside Mustangs scored a record 20 points in the 100m Dash (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th) at the Eric Nelson Classic.

 The field for the 100m Dash included 27 athletes from eight schools at the Eric Nelson Classic.

 In the 100m Dash, Leo Sophomore Stephon Howard won it with an official time of 11.98. Northside Senior Philip Wdoiwak finished in SECOND place with an official time of 12.13. Philip Wdowiak will receive a MEDAL for finishing in second place overall. Northside Senior Keith Jones finished in THIRD place with an official time of 12.14. Keith Jones will receive a MEDAL for finishing in third place place overall. Northside Freshman phenom Osazee Osaghae was the fastest Freshman in the meet, and finished in fourth place overall with an outstanding time of 12.20. North Lawndale Freshman Ingram Calvin finished in fifth place with an official time of 12.24. Amundsen Junior Solomon Spaulding finished in sixth place with an official time of 12.28. Chicago Bulls College Prep Junior Jaylon Guyton finished in seventh place with an official time of 12.31. Northside Junior Brandon Banas finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an outstanding time of 12.49. Northside Junior Vladimir Andrade finished in 25th place with an official time of 15.17. Northside Junior Khizar Nandoliya scratched from the competition days before the meet.

 In the 3200m run, Von Steuben Junior Jaime Marcos won it with an official time of 9:52.52. Von Steuben has won the 3200m run at the Eric Nelson Classic for three consecutive years. Marcos won it in 2015 (9:53.57) and 2016 (9:52.52). Von Steuben Alumni William Pawelko won it in 2014 (10:45.85). 

 Northside Junior Alex Ortiz finished in SECOND place with an outstanding time of 10:39.73. Alex Ortiz will be awarded a MEDAL for finishing second overall. Von Steuben Junior Jonathan Fernandez finished in third place with an official time of 10:53.88.

 Northside Junior Brian McManus dropped 11 seconds (11:09) with a PERSONAL BEST time of 10:58.00 to finish in fourth place overall. Brian McManus broke the 11 minutes barrier for the first time, and passed Alumni legend Taylor Kuehn and Senior Troy Hu for the 20th fastest 3200m run time in Northside history!

 Northside Junior Jack Webster had an outstanding race, and came from behind on the final mile to finsh in fifth place with an official time of 12:02.71. Jack Webster dropped 30 seconds (12:32.00) from the Bison Indoor Classic. Webster earned a Varsity letter, and secured vital points for the Mustangs.

 Northside Sophomore Kyle Lowenthal finished in sixth place with an official time of 12:13.79. Lowenthal had a tremendous kick to the finish line to edge Chicago Bulls College Prep Freshman Daniel Cespedes (7th place, 12:14.15). Lowenthal has perfect attendance at morning practices, but needs to work on his attendance at afternoon practices to reach the next performance level.

 Northside Freshman Kristopher Ushijima finished in eighth place to complete the scoring with an outstanding time of 12:14.22. Kristopher Ushijima earned his first Varsity letter in Track & Field by scoring a point in a Varsity meet.

 The 4x800m Relay at the Eric Nelson Classic is named after Northside legends Patrick Brennan, Malcolm Grba, Danny Rosen, and Simon Kafka. In 2013, Chicago Northside (8:14.69) broke the school record and upset the East St. Louis Flyers (8:15.66) to Qualify for the State Finals in the 4x800m Relay! In honor of Northside IHSA State qualifiers and School Record holders, the 4x800m Relay at the Eric Nelson classic is named after Northside legends Patrick Brennan, Malcolm Grba, Danny Rosen, and Simon Kakfa.

 In the Varsity Patrick Brennan, Malcolm Grba, Danny Rosen, and Simon Kafka 4x800m Relay at the Eric Nelson Classic, Northside WON it with an official time of 9:35.65.

 Northside Junior Sergio Soto ran an outstanding 2:22.00 800m split on the first leg of the relay, and made a nice exchange to Charlie Guthmann. Northside Sophomore Charlie Guthmann ran an outstanding 2:22.00 800m split on the second leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Jacob Yosowitz. Northside Sophomore Jacob Yosowitz ran an impressive 2:16.00 800m split on the third leg of the relay, and made a perfect exchange to Kyle Friedler.

 Jacob Yosowitz gave the baton to Kyle Friedler with a commanding lead. As a result, Kyle Friedler was able to protect the lead and conserve some energy for later events. Kyle Friedler cruised on the final leg of the relay with a 2:35.65 800m split for an official time of 9:35.65 to WIN the 4x800m Relay.

 Sergio Soto, Charlie Guthmann, Jacob Yosowitz, and Kyle Friedler will receive PLAQUES and MEDALS for WINNING the 4x800m Relay!

 Von Steuben finished in second place with an official time of 10:06.53. Chicago Bulls College Prep finished in third place with an official time of 10:20.57. Amundsen finished in fourth place with an official time of 11:30.22.