Carmen Abelson - Rice University - National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award

Adaora Achufusi - Amherst College - National Achievement Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

John Byrne - Fordham University - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award

Katherine Ceisel - St. Louis University - Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award, and Provost Scholarship

Brian Chhun - DePaul University - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Rafael Coinfino - University of Illinois at Urbana - Chicago Scholar

Brandon Cooper - The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago

Coleman Gailloreto - Beloit College - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award

Wemi Jemine - University of Illinois at Urbana - Prairie State Achievement Award

Ted Kalaw - University of Illinois at Urbana - Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award, and Matthew McDermott Leadership Award

Jennifer Kane - University of Illinois at Urbana - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award

Jon Kittaka - Carleton College - National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award, and Carleton College Scholarship. 

John Ko - University of Illinois at Chicago - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award

John Konow - Vassar College - Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Norman Lee - University of Illinois at Urbana - Prairie State Achievement Award 

Albert Lin - University of Illinois at Urbana - Prairie State Achievement Award

Martin Melto - Washington University in St. Louis - Illinois State Scholar and Prairie State Achievement Award

Nathan Michaelson - Oberlin College - Illinois State Scholar, John Fredric Oberlin Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Eric Nelson - University of Illinois at Urbana - Illinois State Scholar, James Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Anna Parks - University of Pennsylvania - Dashiell Rose Scholarship Foundation 

Gayatri Satam - University of Illinois at Urbana - Prairie State Achievement Award

James Speth - Washington College - Academic Tuition Scholarship, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Maria Torres - University of Illinois at Urbana

Lawrence Tran - Northwestern University - Illinois State Scholar, Bill Hiatt Award, Chicago of Federation of Labor Scholarship, The Brink's Foundation Scholarship, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

Simon Vecchioni - Brown University - National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award, and Neubauer Scholarship 

Maria Zdunek - Northwestern University - Illinois State Scholar and Prairie State Achievement Award

Ani Zotti - Georgetown University - National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, and Prairie State Achievement Award 

 Class of 2009, email your college address to Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon at Jongordon9@aol.com to receive care packages from the Northside Track & Field Team in 2010.

            During the summer, the IHSA permits us to meet as a TEAM for a total of 25 days during June 2009 and July 2009. Although attendance at summer practices is not required, it is highly recommended. Athletes that have made the Varsity roster, are the ones who have consistently attended summer practices.

There is a major benefit to running with teammates during the summer, and it is also a great opportunity for building Team unity.

Saturday, July 11, 2009            7:00 am            Capture the Flag on an 800m course!

Monday, July 13, 2009             6:30 am            Morning run / Weight Training

Tuesday, July 14, 2009             6:30 am            Morning run / Weight Training

Wednesday, July 15, 2009       6:30 am            Morning run / Weight Training

Thursday, July 16, 2009           6:30 am            Morning run / Weight Training

 On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, Northside Head Track Coach Jon Gordon received a phone call at approximately 8:58 am from the Northside administration informing him that the winner of the 2009 Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award was Eric Nelson, and that Coach Gordon would be presenting the award at the Senior Awards luncheon at noon.

 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 the first time in Northside history, a member of the Northside Track Team won the award, Senior Captain Eric Nelson.

 Eric Nelson is one of the greatest Track athletes in the history of Northside to ever wear the uniform. He is also the only Northside male athlete to ever win multiple IHSA Sectional Titles in any sport. Eric Nelson has earned 10 Varsity letters at Northside (4 in Golf, 2 in Basketball, and 4 in Track). Eric Nelson has the speed of a sprinter, the strength of a thrower, and the endurance of a distance runner. He holds the school record in the Shot Put, Discus, Triple Jump, High Jump, and the Distance Medley Relay. He has also scored more points by himself at Track meets, than entire teams of 50 or more athletes, on several occasions.  

  In Golf, his Junior year, he missed qualifying for State by one stroke, but learned from it and became a better player. His Senior year he led the Mustangs to an upset victory over Whitney Young for the City Title, and in an exciting one hole playoff to determine the individual City Champion, Eric Nelson won the playoff hole to become the individual Golf City Champion as well. Northside Head Golf Coach Chris Oehlerking recently stated, “Eric understood the game within the game of golf. He understood that golf was about facing adversity and mastering your own mind. He understood the persistent pursuit of excellence determines winners, not the results of the match. Eric displayed a passion for the game and strived for excellence every day.”

 In Basketball, it was a privilege to watch him play underneath the boards, go up for a rebound, and provide iron clad defense that helped the Mustangs to an Conference Championship his Junior year, and an amazing 20 points comeback at the IHSA Regional tournament his senior year. It was also awesome to watch him participate in a slam dunk contest at the Pep Rally prior to Pack the Gym Night.  

 It’s not the records that he holds, the city titles, the IHSA Sectional Titles, and the IHSA State appearances that makes him a champion, but the path that he took to get there that makes him a Champion.

 As a Freshman, Eric Nelson won the Sophomore City High Jump Title with a jump of 5’10 and also broke the school record in the Hurdles as a Freshman. He also won the Varsity MVP award as a Freshman. The Northside Coaching staff had big plans for Nelson in the High Jump and Hurdles his Sophomore year. However, he was injured at the end of his Sophomore Basketball season, and was not able to run or jump.

 Most people would have called it a season. Eric Nelson had a burning desire to not only comeback, but to help his teammates while he was injured.

 However, the only Track events available to an athlete that can’t run or jump were throwing events (Shot Put and Discus). To be a thrower, it takes great strength, explosiveness, and awesome technique. It’s unheard of for a high jumper to become a thrower.

  Eric Nelson was different, and was determined to help his teammates any way he could, while he recovered from his injuries. Eric Nelson spent hours in the weight room, earning a 20 pull-ups t-shirt, a 155 lbs bench press t-shirt, then a 175 lbs bench press t-shirt, and then a 205 lbs bench press t-shirt, and learned how to throw a Shot Put and Discus, all in an effort to help his teammates anyway that he could, while he was recovering from his injuries.  Eric Nelson’s time in the weight room, Shot Put Ring, and Discus cage paid off, and as a Sophomore, he became the Mustangs top thrower, and broke legendary Chris Zysko’s Shot Put and Discus school records as well. When his legs healed, he was not only one of the best throwers in the City, but finished second in the Varsity City High Jump competition as a Sophomore. He also competed in the Shot Put, Discus, High Jump, and Triple Jump for the Mustangs at IHSA Sectionals as a Sophomore, and won the Northside Track & Field MVP Award.

   His Junior year, he had the greatest Track season in the history of Northside. Imagine going to every Track meet on the season schedule, and winning every High Jump competition, breaking every stadium record, and every meet record, on your way to the State Championships. Does it sound impossible? Eric Nelson did it.

   Eric Nelson improved from a Sophomore personal record of 5’10 to a Junior personal record and school record of 6’6!!! Eric Nelson was the most improved athlete in Illinois. In addition to High Jump, Eric Nelson broke school records in the Shot Put, Discus, 4x400m Relay, and the Distance Medley Relay during his Junior year. Among other awards, Eric Nelson won the Northside Track & Field MVP Award, and the Most Improved Award during his Junior year.

  In November 2008, as part of a promotion to bring the Olympics to Chicago, Mayor Delay chose Northside Senior Eric Nelson to spend a day with the U.S. Olympic High Jump Champ Jamie Nieto, out of all of the athletes in Chicago.

   Eric Nelson took 4^th at the Illinois Prep Top Times Meet (Indoor State Championships) during his Senior year in High Jump, and helped his teammates place 8^th and break the school record in the Distance Medley Relay, and reach the Medal stand for the first time in Northside history. He also won the City Indoor and Outdoor Titles in High Jump, and broke his own school record in the Triple Jump on multiple occasions. On his very last throw of his high school career, he broke the Northside Discus School record as well. On his way to the State Championship, Eric Nelson once again won every high jump competition during his Senior year, and he won his second consecutive IHSA Sectional Title!

   He has also been a leader in the class room, earning the Academic Award for the Golf Team, and has had an impact in the community as well. On several occasions, while his teammates attended Team Tailgate parties after Track meets, Eric went instead to help out at a soup kitchen.

  Eric Nelson is not only Captain of the Golf and Track Teams, but a mentor to hundreds of athletes. At practices, and meets, Eric Nelson takes the time to mentor Freshman, which is special because many seniors won’t talk to underclassman. Many thought Northside Freshman middle distance runner Fabian Lara would never jump higher than 4’0 his freshman year. But through daily encouragement from Nelson, and a lot of hard work, Fabian Lara went from 4’0 to 4’6, and has become one of the Mustangs top Freshman throwers as well. The Northside throwers always work harder and throw five feet further in his presence.

  Eric Nelson also had a big impact on the growth of the Team. When the Northside coaching staff would ask new athletes what motivated them to join the team, they would answer "Eric Nelson”. Eric Nelson shares the sport with everyone at Northside and goes out of his way to invite everyone to join the team, and make everyone instantly feel welcome and a part of the Team, regardless of ability. Many athletes took up the sport during their senior year as a result of the encouragement they have received from Eric Nelson.

   At the end of every practice, Eric Nelson leaves the weight room by shaking the hand of every member of the Northside Coaching Staff. Eric Nelson is one of the greatest athletes, leaders, and individuals in the history of Northside College Prep.

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the Northside Track & Field Team will be honored with a Team Dinner and Awards Banquet at Hackney's, 1514 E. Lake Ave., Glenview, Illinois, in the "Old Shillelagh" Banquet room. It will be the the largest Sports banquet in the history of Northside College Prep.  

The Northside Track & Field awards banquet is one of the most meaningful events of the school year. It represents the official acknowledgement of the athletes accomplishments before the entire Team, administration, parents, and guests.

The following AWARDS will be announced at the banquet:

  FRESHMAN NUMERALS (Awarded to Freshman Athletes that participated in one or more meets and finished the season as a member of the Team. Awarded Numerals in their graduation year).

1. Hannah Doruelo, 2. Waters Cahill, 3. Vivian Lei, 4. Yuwei Lei, 5. Anastasia Rhodes, 6. Rosailie Abbey, 7. Christoper Ceisel, 8. Richard Do, 9. Patrick Duffy, 10. Daniel Graham, 11. Matt Hernandez, 12. Taylor Kuehn, 13. Derek Lin, 14. Mac Melto, 15. Luis Mesa, 16. Edgar Ortega, 17. Juan Ringor, 18. Cody Rios, 19. Jusuf Skelic, 20. Josh Williams.  

 FRESHMAN Participants (Freshman athletes that did not earn numerals, but are a member of the Team. No Award given):

1. Zobia Chunara, 2. Eghe Obaseki, 3. Melizza Salazar, 4. Thomas Trieu, 5. Sharif Khan 

2009 FRESHMAN ACADEMIC AWARD (Certificate)

Taylor Kuehn and Hannah Doruelo 

2009 FRESHMAN MOST IMPROVED AWARD (Engraved Black marble Plaque) 

Josh Williams and Hannah Doruelo 

2009 FRESHMAN MUSTANG AWARD (Certificate) 

Jusuf Skelic and Rosalie Abbey 

2009 FRESHMAN MVP AWARD (Certificate)

Mac Melto and Anastasia Rhodes 

SOPHOMORE LETTERS (Sophomore athletes that participated in one or more meets at the Sophomore level of competition, but did not score a Varsity point, and finished the season as a member of the Team. Awarded a Medium "N").

1. Gennesis Meza, 2. Tiffany Tran, 3. Jameel Ahmed, 4. Mohammed Ahmed, 5. Roland Alegre, 6. Damian Azubuike, 6. Jesus Bruno, 7. Andres Delgado, 8. Anton Garazha, 9. Luis Gaytan, 10. Mark Kharouta, 11. Lucas Kotowski, 12. Michael Loftus, 13. Ed Moreno, 14. Jimmy Nguyen, 15. Khoa Nguyen, 16. Rhiday Pandya, 17. Neel Patel, 18. Josh Pfest, 19. Zach Rosenberg, 20. Sam Ruiz, 21. Fahad Sarvari.    

SOPHOMORE Participants (Sophomore athletes that did not earn a letter, but are members of the Team. No Award).

1. Lilly Rong  

The following award was limited to ALL Sophomore athletes on the Team:  

2009 SOPHOMORE ACADEMIC AWARD (Certificate)

Michael Loftus  and Robin Doherty

2009 SOPHOMORE MOST IMPROVED AWARD (Engraved Black Marble Plaque)

Erik Zuehlke and Robin Doherty  

2009 SOPHOMORE MUSTANG AWARD (Engraved Black Marble Plaque)

Wesley Laytham and Nina Coomes 

2009 SOPHOMORE MVP AWARD (Engraved Black Marble Plaque with the MVP logo)

Charlie Mesimore, Katie Dugan, and Caeleigh Renkosiak 

JUNIOR VARSITY LETTERS (Seniors and/or Junior athletes that participated in one or more meets, but did not score a Varsity point and finished the season as a member of the Team. Awarded a Medium "N").

1. James Rey, 2. Saul Silveyra, 3. Neibu Tadele, 4. Lawrence Tran, 5. Rafael Confino, 6. Nathan Michaelson, 7. Sam Vergara, 8. Ted Kalaw, 9. Katy Ceisel, 10. Maham Haider, 12. Janette Szestowicki, 13. Jessica Tapia, 14. Coleman Gailloreto, 15. John Mejia.         

 JUNIOR VARSITY Participants (Junior Varsity athletes that did not earn a letter, but are members of the Team. No Award given.).

1. Jose Berrios, 2. Edward Cheng, 3. Yonas Zewdie, 4. Ben Garcia, 5. Ricky Martinez 

VARSITY LETTERS (Athletes that scored a Varsity point during the season or made the Mustangs IHSA Sectional Roster. Awarded a Large "N").

1. Steven Burke, 2. John Byrne, 3. Brian Chhun, 4. Brandon Cooper, 5. Andrew Czyszcon, 6. Cooper Eben, 7. Patrick Duffy, 8. Muhammad Hossain, 9. Kevin Jaburek, 10. Wemi Jemine, 11. Jon Kittaka, 12. John Ko, 13. John Konow, 14. Taylor Kuehn, 15. Wesley Laytham, 16. Norman Lee, 17. Albert Lin, 18. Derek Lin, 19. Mac Melto, 20. Martin Melto, 21. Charlie Mesimore, 22. Eric Nelson, 23. Sam Olver, 24. Hersh Perlmutter, 25. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss, 26. Jusuf Skelic, 27. Luke Sobieraj, 28. Hunter Speese, 29. Simon Vecchioni, 30. Josh Williams, 31. Erik Zuehlke, 32. Carmen Abelson, 33. Adaora Achufusi, 34. Waters Cahill, 35. Nina Coomes, 36. Robin Doherty, 37. Hannah Doruello, 38. Katie Dugan, 39. Jennifer Kane, 40. Stella Han, 41. Ashely Kossakowski, 42. Yuwei Lei, 43. Bessie Nolan, 44. Anna Parks, 45. Caeleigh Renkosiak, 46. Anastasia Rhodes, 47. Gayatri Satam, 48. Lindsey Shallberg,  49. Maria Torres, 50. Maria Zdunek, and 51. Ani Zotti    

2009 CAL RIPKEN, JR. AWARD (Athletes with perfect/best attendance at meets and practices) 

Andrew Czyszczon and Adaora Achufusi 

2009 CITY CHAMPION PLAQUES (Athletes that won Indoor and/or Outdoor City Champion Titles at the Sophomore and/or Varsity level. Gold Plated Plaque with a Medal.) 

1. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss - Indoor - 800m Run

2. Charlie Mesimore - Outdoor - 3200m Run / 1600m Run

3. Eric Nelson - Indoor and Outdoor - High Jump   

2009 IHSA ALL SECTIONAL HONORS - BRONZE STATUES (Athletes that placed in the Top 6 in a Relay or individual event at the IHSA Sectional Championships).

1. Jon Kittaka - 4x800m Relay

2. Pat Duffy - 4x800m Relay

3. Jusuf Skelic - 4x800m Relay

4. Simon Vecchioni - 4x800m Relay

5. Wemi Jemine - 100m Dash, 200m Dash

6. Eric Nelson - High Jump, Triple Jump

7. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss - 3200m Run

8. Charlie Mesimore - Mile

9. Wesley Laytham - Mile

10. Anna Parks - 800m run

11. Maria Torres - Triple Jump, Long Jump

12. Caeleigh Renkosiak - Shot Put

2009 IHSA STATE QUALIFIER PLAQUES

 1. Eric Nelson - High Jump

 2. Maria Torres - Triple Jump 

2009 SCHOOL RECORD BREAKER PLAQUES (Athletes that broke a School Record in a Relay or individual event).

Including relays, 44 School Record breaker plaques will be distributed at the banquet!!! It was the highest number of SCHOOL RECORDS BROKEN by any TEAM in Illinois in 2009. 

2009 VARSITY ACADEMIC AWARD (Senior or Junior Athlete with the highest GPA on the Team. Large Silver Plaque with Academic Award logo and Medal)

Simon Vecchioni (Salutatorian 2009, National Merit Scholarship) and Adaora Achufusi (National Achievement Scholarship)   

2009 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (Sportsmanship Patch)

Hunter Speese and Bessie Nolan 

2009 SENIOR LEADERSHIP AWARD (Large engraved Black Marble Plaque with Leadership logo)

Eric Nelson, Simon Vecchioni, Adaora Achufusi, and Jennifer Kane 

2009 OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD (Plaque)

Mac Melto and Anastasia Rhodes    

2009 VARSITY MOST IMPROVED AWARD (Large engraved Black Marble Plaque)

Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss and Bessie Nolan   

2009 VARSITY MUSTANG AWARD (Large Silver plated plaque engraved with a Medal)

Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss and Jennifer Kane 

2009 MVP (Large Silver plated plaque engraved with a Medal)

Eric Nelson and Maria Torres 

2010 Womens Team Captains (5):        

Bessie Nolan, Robin Doherty, Nina Coomes, Anastasia Rhodes, Caeleigh Renkosiak   

2010 Mens Team Captains (5): 

Cooper Eben, Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss, Wesley Laytham, Charlie Mesimore, Hersh Perlmutter 

 On Monday, May 12, 2008, Northside Junior Eric Nelson became the newest member of the 205 lbs Bench Press Club. A 205 lbs Bench Press T-shirt is awarded to any member of the Track & Field Team who can Bench Press 205 lbs for a minimum of six reps at any point in the season.

 Members of the 205 lbs Bench Press Club:

1. Eric Nelson                  (2008 - Junior)

2. Rafael Confino            (2009 - Senior)

3. Chris Zysko                 (2006 - Senior)
4. Robert Garcia             (2007 - Senior)
5. Darrel Johnson           (2007 - Senior)

All Weight Room records must be set in the presence of a Team Captain or a member of the coaching staff.