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NORTHSIDE COLLEGE PREP MUSTANGS:
Mustang News |
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Friday, October 2
A rally in Washington Park and Daily Plaza will take place this morning to support the Olympics coming to Chicago!
A rally in Washington Park (site of the 2009 CPS Cross Country Championships), and a rally in Daily Plaza will take place this morning to support the Olympics coming to Chicago!!! Former U.S. Olympic athletes will be on hand at both locations, and free T-shirts, fans, flags, and noise makers will be distributed to the crowd.
The Olympics coming to Chicago in 2016 would have a huge impact for both High School Cross Country and Track & Field. It would be one of the best things that has ever happend to the city of Chicago.
 | | American Record Holder Bob Kennedy and UC Middle Distance Coach Jon Gordon | |
Saturday, October 4
Bob Kennedy comes to Chicago
Bob Kennedy was guest of honor at the 31st Annual Sean Earl
Lakefront Invitational held at Montrose Beach in Chicago. The Meet
featured over 59 NCAA Division I, II, and III schools. Kennedy holds
the American Record in the 3000 meters (set in 1998 - 7:30.89) and
5000 meters (1996 - 12:58.21). He competed in the 5000 meters in the
1992 Olympics and 1996 Olympics. Bob grew up in Ohio and graduated
from Indiana University in 1992. His wife, Melina, grew up in
Illinois and went to high school with Jon Gordon. Melina was also an
outstanding runner at Indiana University. Bob and Melina currently
reside in Indianapolis with their 2 dogs.
Tuesday, July 30
Michael James wins $5,000 Gatorade Will-to-Win scholarship.
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The makers of Gatorade announced today that
Michael James has been chosen as the winner
of the $5,000.00 Gatorade Will-to-Win
scholarship. Michael James was nominated for
the scholarship by Coach Jon Gordon after
his outstanding performance at the Lake City
J.V. Championships. Gatorade gives this
scholarship to High school Senior athletes
that display leadership, heart, perseverance,
performance, commitment, and desire in Cross
Country. Gatorade is also going to donate
$1,000.00 to the St.Johns athletic program.
In preparation for the 2001 Cross Country
season, Michael James ran over 400 miles
during the summer. James and teammate Rob
Hoffman were co-winners of the Most Improved
Award for the 2001 Cross Country season.
At the J.V. Championships, Michael James
ran the best race of his high school career,
dropping 9 seconds from the Billy Mills
Classic with a personal best time of 19:50.
The final 400 meters of the race came down
to James and Episcopal's Vance Berry. James
showed great mental toughness, desire, and
heart, outkicking Episcopal's Vance Berry to
lead St.Johns to second place finish in the
Class 1A Lake City J.V. State Championships.
After the race, Coach Jon Gordon awarded
James the "IT" Award and nominated him for
Gatorade Will-to-Win scholarship. Michael
James is the first athlete in the history
of St.Johns to win the $5,000.00 scholarship.
James will be a freshman at Harvard this
fall.
"Two years ago I would have never dreamed of
running any distance futher than my mailbox
and back, and now I received a five thousand
dollar scholarship for my Cross Country
pursuits. I owe a lot to you coach, thanks
again" -Michael James
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Monday, May 25
Joe Hetland named Northside College Prep Assistant Cross Country Coach
|  | | Joe Hetland |
On Monday, May 25, 2009, Northside Head Men and Women Cross Country Coach Jon Gordon announced that a nationwide search for a assistant coach had been completed, and after weeks of interviews, Joe Hetland was officially named Assistant coach of the Northside Cross Country Team for the 2009 season.
Joe Hetland ran Cross Country and Track for Loras College in Iowa under legendary former York runner Bob Schultz. Hetland was part of a Team that went from 13th in the NCAA Central Region in one year, to provisionally qualifying for the NCAA National Cross Country Championships. Joe Hetland graduated from Loras College in May 2009 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance.
Joe Hetland will be a major asset to the Northside Cross Country Program, and is looking forward to training with the Mustangs at Northside this summer at 6:30 am, starting June 15, 2009, in preparation for the upcoming season. The Mustangs will be seeking the Class 3A State Title in 2009.
 | | Joe Hetland |
Wednesday, June 6
2007 Patrick J. O'Connor Leadership Award: Patrick O'Connor
|  | | Patrick O'Connor |
On Wednesday, June 6, 2007, Northside Head Cross Country and Track Coach Jon Gordon received a phone call at approximately 8:58 am from the Northside administration informing him that the winner of the 2007 Patrick J. O'Connor Leadership Award was Patrick O'Connor, and that Coach Gordon would be presenting the award at the Senior Awards luncheon at noon.
The Patrick J. O'Connor award is given annually at Graduation to the Senior Athlete that demonstrates superior leadership, outstanding academics, and has an impact on the community. It is one of the highest honors at graduation, and is named after Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor, who was instrumental in the founding of Northside College Prep.
For the second consecutive year (Daniel Kittaka in 2006), a member of the Northside Cross Country and Track Team won the award, Senior Captain Patrick O'Connor.
Patrick O'Connor has been an outstanding Captain and leader for the Northside Cross Country and Track programs. He also been a leader in the class room, and has had an impact at his Church, and on the Latin Team as well. He is also one of the greatest athletes in the history of Northside to ever wear the uniform. His PR of (16:12, 2005 IHSA Regionals), ranks as the second fastest time in Northside History. In 2006-2007, among his accomplishments, he overcame a knee injury to earn All City honors, All IHSA Regional Honors, and qualify as an Individual for the IHSA Sectional Cross Country Championships for the second consecutive year.
Although Patrick O'Connor was the 2nd fastest distance runner ever in school history, what makes Patrick O'Connor a Champion is not where he finished but where he started. When Patrick O'Connor came out for the Cross Country Team his Sophomore year of high school, it took him almost 30 minutes to complete a 3 miles race. Within 1 year, through hard work, desire and dedication, Patrick O'Connor ran 3 miles in 16:12, the second fastest time in school history, and a time drop of over 14 minutes.
Patrick O'Connor was not only Captain of the Cross Country and Track Teams, but a mentor to hundreads of athletes. Before a Cross Country meet, on his own, he would run the warm-up with all the Freshman and stretch them out and make sure they were ready to run. It was very unsual, because a Varsity athlete normally will only run the warm-up right before the Varsity race, and not talk to any of the Freshman until after the meet. But Patrick's dedication to his teammates was second to none. He would run the warm-up with the Freshman Team, then the Sophomore Team, then the J.V. Team, and then he would run the warm-up with his Varsity Teammates and stretch them out as well. By time the Varsity race starts, Patrick would run 3 extra warm-ups every meet and lead stretches 3 extra times. Even when Patrick O'Connor was injuried, he would be at a practice or a meet, to help prepare his teammates to race at every level.
Patrick O'Connor also had a big impact on the growth of the Team. It's common for star athletes to recruit other star athletes. But Patrick O'Connor would recruit students who where never involved in any sport in their life. When Coach Gordon would ask these athletes what motivated them to join the team, they would answer "Patrick O'Connor". Patrick O'Connor started at 30 minutes for 3 miles, and ended his career with a 16:12 3 miles pr, and he knew it could happen for them as well, and he believed in all of his teammates. He wanted to share the sport with everyone he knew, and he went out of his way to invite everyone to join the team, and made everyone instantly feel welcome and a part of the Team, regardless of ability.
This past Track season, Patrick OConnor anchored the Northside Track & Field Teams Distance Medley Relay, along with the help of Seniors Geoff Edwards, and John Holler, and Junior Preston Buehrer to a new school record at the Indoor State Championships. During the Outdoor season, Patrick was unfortunate to get injuried, but his determination and dedication to his teammates overcame it. He came to practice everday while injuried and provided leadership for his teammates, and trained on the stationary bike, and ran countless miles in the deep end of the swimming pool, and worked hard in the weight room, and as a result he anchored the Northside 4x400m relay in the final race of his high school athletic career to another school record.
Patrick O'Connor will be attending the University of Illinois in the Fall.
Friday, May 9
Mustangs to attend Cross Country Camp of Champions July 14-19, 2008
The Northside College Prep Men and Women Cross Country Teams will be attending the University of Wisconsin Cross Country Camp of Champions in Madison, Wisconsin, from July 14-19. Incoming Freshman are also encouraged to attend the camp as well. The Camp of Champions is a five-day program, with workouts, lectures, films, and activities designed to instruct, entertain, and motivate athletes. The program is tailored to each individual athlete's needs to reach their full potential.
University of Wisconsin athletes, and Olympians serve as counselors and as guest speakers. Former guests have included: Chris Solinsky, Tim Hacker (USATF National Champ), Olympian Cindy Bremser, Olympian Rick Wohlhunter, Olympian Pascal Dobert, Olympian Suzy Hamilton, Olympian Steve Lacy, Andy Dowin (USATF 1500m Champion), and Matt Tegankamp (US Recordholder in the 2 mile).
For more information, email Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon at Jongordon9@aol.com.
 | | Indoor dome could be first Indoor Track built in the CPS | |
Wednesday, December 17
TRACK & FIELD REGISTRATION MEETING, JANUARY 16, 2009, 3:27 PM
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On Friday, January 16, 2009, a Track & Field Registration meeting will take place in the Northside Cafeteria at 3:27 PM. The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce the finest coaching staff ever assembled, and more importantly, disclose exciting plans for the 2009 season that will make your Track & Field experience more FUN, including a new travel schedule, overnight trips, Team Pasta Partys, Team Tailgate Partys and more! The Mustangs will be seeking their first State Title in 2009.
Please turn in the following at the Track & Field Registration Meeting on Friday, January 16, 2009: (1) Athletic Profile Form, (2) NEW Track & Field Players Record Card, (3) a copy of your Physical, (4) signed code of conduct form, and (5) an IHSA Steroid Testing Consent form. All of the above forms must be turned in on Friday, January 16, 2009 in order to receive a free Northside Track & Field T-shirt!
A Coaching Staff and Team Captains dinner will follow the meeting at 5:00 pm at La Brasa Roja Restaurant (3125 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625).
In 2008, the Men and Women Track Team, had a total of 3 National qualifiers, 2 State qualifiers, 2 IHSA Sectional Individual Champions, 3 City Champions, and had over 34 athletes break a school record in an individual event or in a Relay. Our Varsity Men and Women also sent eight athletes to Bloomington for the Illinois Prep Top Times Invitational (Indoor State). The Northside Track Team also won the Team Title at Lane Tech Relays, Kenwood Classic, Ed Key Invitational, U-High Invitational, Urban Prep Relays, and the Deerfield Classic.
Now we turn to 2009, and after a dominating season by the Northside College Prep Cross Country Teams, including our first Men’s IHSA Regional Championship, Northside arguably has the best distance squad in Chicago. Northside also has some of the best jumpers in Chicago, thanks to Maria Torres, Eric Nelson, and Wemi Jemine. We also have seen a dramatic improvement in the Northside Track & Field Team’s Sprinters, Middle Distance runners, and Throwers in the Fall and Winter that competed in Cross Country (Regional Champions), Golf (City Champions), Swimming (City Champions), Soccer, and Basketball. As a result, the goal in 2009 will be to bring home Northside College Prep first ever State Title in Track and Field!!!
For more information on the upcoming Track & Field season, checkout the Northside Track & Field website at www.mustangstf.com
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Friday, November 27
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