On Wednesday, August 13, 2008, from 3:45 pm - 6:00 pm, the Northside Mustangs will begin mandatory practices and try-outs for the 2008 Northside Cross Country Team in front of the main entrance of Northside College Prep. All athletes must have a Physical and a Players Record Card to attend practice. If you have any trouble getting an appointment for a Physical, contact Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon at Jongordon9@aol.com, and he will refer you to a doctor. If you waited to the last minute to get a physical, SIX DOCTORS from Resurrection Hospital will be available to provide physicals for the Cross Country Team for a fee of $25.00 at the Athletic Director's Office at Northside College Prep, 5501 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL from 9 am - 11 am on Tuesday, August 12, 2008. Please arrive to practice early on August 13, 2008, to turn in a copy of your physical and Players Record Card. Thanks. Physical and Players Record Card Forms All athletes should bring running shoes, and a Water bottle to practice. If you have anything to place in storage during practice, please bring a combination lock. Thanks. Several athletes have covered many hundreds of miles this summer preparing to capture the City and State Championships. We certainly hope that you too have been conscientious about your summer training. Remember that in less than 3 days you must be in top condition for our first team practice. We want you to report to the first practice READY TO RUN. Try-outs will determine our respective Varsity, Junior Varsity, Sophomore-Freshman, and Freshman rosters for the first meet. Only the top 7 athletes on the Team, run Varsity, and only the Top 7 Sophomores and Freshman run on the Sophomore squad, and only the Top 7 Freshman run on the Freshman squad. Everyone else that makes the Team, runs on Junior Varsity Team. However, it changes after each meet, based on performance. Try-outs will last from August 13, 2008 through August 28, 2008. None of the incoming Freshman will be cut provided they work hard, and miss no more than 9 practices from August 13, 2008 to November 8, 2008. The most frequent question we have received from Incoming Freshman is what if they don’t have any running experience? Start now. You are going to be a part of a team where your teammates care about you and depend on you. We will make you great! 2001 National Cross Country Gatorade Will to Win Athlete of the Year, Michael James, could run no further then to his mail box when he started, and he ended his high school career at the State Championships and earned a $5,000.00 scholarship to Harvard. Northside Junior Cooper Eben ran 18 minutes for three miles as a Freshman, and as a Sophomore, in 2007, Cooper Eben ran a personal best time of 16:22 for 3 Miles! A time drop of over one minute and 38 seconds in one year! Northside Alumni Patrick O’Connor ran 27 minutes in his first three miles race of his career. A year later, in 2005, he ran one of the fastest times in school history, a 16:12 for 3 Miles at the IHSA Regional Championships!!! A time drop of over 11 minutes in one year! Northside Senior Carmen Abelson ran 31 minutes in her first three miles race of her career. In 2006, she ran one of the fastest times in school history, a 19:55 for 3 Miles at the CPS City Championships!!! A time drop of over 11 minutes in one year! Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi ran 26 minutes in her first three miles race of the season last year. At IHSA Sectionals, Adaora Achufusi ran one of the fastest times in school history, a 21:03 for 3 Miles! A time drop of over 5 minutes in 2007!!! Many of you have seen unbelievable improvement in some of our runners. This is proof that you also can improve your performance. Remember, the body achieves what the mind believes.
In the past, the Chicago Public School Cross Country Championships have been held at Promontory Point. The CPS announced this morning that a new location will be used for the meet in 2008. The CPS is in the process of deciding between several proposed new sites and a final decision will be announced next week.
On Thursday, August 28, 2008, the Northside Mens Cross Country Team had a Two Mile Time Trial to determine the Varsity (Top 7), Sophomore-Freshman (Top 7), and Junior Varsity (Top 26), Teams for the St. Patrick Invitational. The Mustangs have used the same course for the last five years in Legion Park on the corner of Kedzie and Brwyn Mawr in Chicago, Illinois.
The Mustangs tradition of running a 2.0 Miles Time Trial on the same course, year after year, allows athletes to compare their race times with Northside Alumni legends Joe Terdik, Daniel Kittaka, Patrick O'Connor, Preston Buehrer and current collegiate runners Jordan Stacey and Santino Merino. More importantly, it provides Northside athletes the ability to compare their Time Trial times instantly with last years times, and previous Northside Cross Country Teams.
On Thursday, the 2008 Northside Mens Cross Country Team ran the fastest Time Trial times in the history of Northside College Prep on every level. The battle for the Top 12 was the most exciting in Team history, and included a photo finish with five guys sprinting to the finish line at the same time for the 12th spot. The finish was so inspirational, that the Northside Mustangs honored the Top 13 in a Team meeting that followed the Time Trial.
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss BROKE THE COURSE RECORD with a personal best time of 10:03! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 4:50, and finished in 5:13 for a new course record of 10:03. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 20 seconds from last year's time trial! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss is on pace to earn a 1,000+ Miles t-shirt for two consecutive summers of 600+ Miles. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss trained this summer with teammates at Northside, and throughout the state of Wisconsin in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore ran a personal best time of 10:17! Mesimore ran the first mile in 4:52, and finished in 5:25 for a personal best time of 10:17. Charlie Mesimore dropped 14 seconds from last year's time trial! It was also the fastest time ever run by a Northside Sophomore in the Time Trial. Charlie Mesimore trained this summer with teammates at Northside, and in California, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Northside Junior Cooper Eben ran a personal record time of 10:27! Eben ran the first mile in 4:59, and finished in 5:28 for a personal best time of 10:27! Cooper Eben dropped 24 seconds from last year's time trial, and had a double PR! Cooper Eben ran a Mile PR (4:59) and Two Mile PR (10:27) in the SAME race!!! Cooper Eben is on pace to earn a 1,000+ Miles T-shirt for two consecutive summers of 500+ Miles. In preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season, Northside Track Captain Cooper Eben awoke every morning this summer at 5 am, an hour before his teammates, so he could get his run in before the work day started, and his dedication inspired the Mustangs on a daily basis, by finishing a 5-8 Miles run before his teammates had even finished stretching. Everytime Cooper Eben ran past the Northside Mustangs stretching at 6:30 am in Legion Park, the TEAM stopped stretching, and cheered for Cooper Eben.
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham ran a personal best time of 10:48. Laytham ran the first mile in 5:12, and finished in 5:36 for a personal best time of 10:48! Wesley Laytham dropped 19 seconds from last year's time trial! It was also the third fastest time ever run by a Northside Sophomore in the Time Trial.Wesley Laytham trained this summer with teammates at Northside, and in Wisconsin in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse ran a personal best time of 11:03. Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:15, and finished in 5:48 for a personal best time of 11:03! Craig Melhuse is a four sports athlete (Cross Country, Basketball, Indoor Track, and Volleyball), and could become the first Northside athlete to ever win a TEAM City Championship in two different sports (Cross Country and Volleyball). After a summer of hard work, Melhuse is one of the most improved athletes on the Team.
Northside Senior Jonathan Kittaka ran an outstanding time of 11:06. Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:08 and the final mile in 5:58 for an outstanding time of 11:06. Captain Jonathan Kittaka ran 450 Miles this summer, and was on pace to become Northside's first 2,000 Miles man, before suffering a Turf toe injury. A special thanks to ATI Physical Therapist Leena Anturkar for coming to the Mustangs aide. After Jonathan Kittaka returned from California in the middle of August with the injury, Coach Gordon's neighbor, Leena Anturkar, had ATI send a Physical Therapist to Northside the very next day, and Kittaka hasn't missed a training day since.
Although Northside has had at least one Freshman athlete make their Varsity squad every year, this would be the toughest year to do it. Over 40 athletes attempted to run 200 or more miles this summer to make the TEAM. Plus, the TEAM had a good season last year, and returned everyone from their Top 7. The atmosphere in practice has been incredible for the athletes and the coaching staff. The Team Captains and returning Varsity members have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, and support their teammates everyday. Practices are fun. The TEAM trains together, and training groups are divided by fitness level regardless of gender. Northside Assistant Coach Chad Ware has introduced an amazing core training program and has run with the athletes during Track workouts at any pace the TEAM desires in order to push every athlete regardless of fitness level. Northside Assistant Coach Jose Nebrida also greets every athlete the minute they arrive at practice, and gives them a unique high five, and has been a big inspiration to new runners. The athletes and coaching staff can't wait for practice to begin everyday. The Northside Freshmen response to the atmosphere has been equally inspirational.
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn responded to an 11 page letter that every incoming Freshman received this summer from Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, by joining the Cross Country Team, and his future teammates at summer practices. Although the letter was 11 pages long, there was one paragraph on the very first page, that motivated Taylor Kuehn to join the TEAM. It was the story of Gatorade Cross Country Will to Win Athlete Michael James.
Taylor Kuehn showed great determination and work ethic this summer by hanging on with the Varsity in every run, and also put up impressive numbers in the weight room by earning a 20 pull-ups club t-shirt by doing 23 consecutive pull-ups. In the Time Trial, Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran a 5:33 for the first mile, and was in 9th place, and needed to pass two great athletes in the final mile to make the Varsity squad as a Freshman. Taylor Kuehn ran the final mile in 5:43 and passed two incredible athletes to finish 7th overall with a personal best time of 11:16. It was the third fastest time ever run in the Time Trial by a Northside Freshman.
Senior Simon Vecchioni ran an outstanding time of 11:29. Captain Simon Vecchioni ran a 5:19 for the first mile, and the final mile in 6:10 for an outstanding time of 11:29. Simon Vecchioni dropped 4 seconds from last year's time trial! Simon Vecchioni has provided the Mustangs with outstanding leadership, and his work ethic in practices has been second to none.
Junior Jiasong Yang ran an outstanding time of 11:37. Jiasong Yang ran a 5:32 for the first mile, and the final mile in 6:05 for an outstanding time of 11:37. Jiasong Yang trained in Indiana this summer in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Senior Spencer Rosenfeld ran a personal best time of 11:38. Spencer Rosenfeld ran a 5:34 for the first mile, and the final mile in 6:04 for an outstanding time of 11:38. Spencer Rosenfeld dropped 1 Minute and 9 seconds from last year's time trial!
Junior Forrest Cortes ran a personal best time of 11:38.5. Forrest Cortes ran a 5:44 for the first mile, and the final mile in 5:54 for an outstanding time of 11:38.5. Forrest Cortes dropped 1 Minute and 41 seconds from last year's time trial!
Sophomore Fahad Savari finished in 12th place in the Time Trial with a personal best time of 11:38.6. Fahad Savari ran a 5:35 for the first mile, and the final mile in 6:03 for an outstanding time of 11:38.6. Fahad Savari dropped 2 Minutes and 56 seconds from last year's time trial and is one of the most improved athletes on the Team.
Sophomore Noel Lopez finished in 13th place in the Time Trial with a personal best time of 11:38.8. Noel Lopez ran a 5:40 for the first mile, and the final mile in 5:58 for an outstanding time of 11:38.8. Noel Lopez dropped 1 Minute and 19 seconds from last year's time trial and will be a big asset to the Mustangs in 2008.
To put in proper perspective of the significance of the 2008 Time Trial Results, you have to look no further back then to the Mustangs 2005 season, when Northside Alumni Patrick O'Connor ran a 11:11 on the SAME course in August 2005. O'Connor went on to run a 16:12 at IHSA Regionals that year. In 2008, the Mustangs had 6 athletes under 11:11 in the Time Trial.
Thanks to the efforts of the Northside Alumni, by returning uniforms from previous years, the Northside Cross Country Team did not need to purchase any additional uniforms this year, and was able to purchase warm-ups for the first time in Northside history for their Top 12 Athletes. The Top 12 athletes also received GYM bags complete with water bottle holders. However, the warm-ups and GYM bags were only distributed to the Top 7 on Friday and the Top 8 will receive them after the St.Patrick Invitational, then Top 9, Top 10, Top 11, and Top 12 in each respective meet. The athletes look forward to the challenge of defending their warm-ups all season. After City Championships, the Mustangs will take 12 athletes to IHSA Regionals, IHSA Sectionals, and the IHSA State Championships.
The Northside Varsity Men will travel to Schiller Woods in Chicago, Illinois at the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road on September 3, 2008 to take on, among others, State powerhouse Fenwick.
ENTRIES FOR ST.PATRICK INVITATIONAL
VARSITY MEN (8/28 - Time Trial - 2.0 Miles) 1. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss 10:03 (11th) 2. Charlie Mesimore 10:17 (10th) 3. Cooper Eben 10:27 (11th) 4. Wesley Laytham 10:48 (10th) 5. Craig Melhuse 11:03 (12th) 6. Jonathan Kittaka 11:06 (12th) 7. Taylor Kuehn 11:16 (9th)
Sophomore-Freshman Boys (8/28 - Time Trial - 2.0 Miles) 1. Fahad Savari 11:38.6 (10th) 2. Noel Lopez 11:38.8 (10th) 3. Dominic Sieminski 11:48 (10th) 4. Luis Gaytan 12:02 (10th) 5. Erik Zuehlke 12:07 (10th) 6. Rhiday Pandya 12:15 (10th) 7. Pat Duffy 13:15 (9th)
Junior Varsity - Top 7 (8/28 - Time Trial - 2.0 Miles) 1. Simon Vecchioni 11:29 (12th) 2. Jiasong Yang 11:37 (11th) 3. Spencer Rosenfeld 11:38 (12th) 4. Forrest Cortes 11:38.5 (11th) 5. Coleman Gailloreto 13:12 (12th) 6. Ted Kalaw 13:39 (12th) 7. Alex Luke 13:40 (10th)
Note: The Top 26 Junior Varsity athletes will race at the St.Patrick Invitational.
"IT" AWARD for August 28, 2008 Time Trial: Taylor Kuehn
The Mustangs tradition of running a 2.0 Miles Time Trial on the same course, year after year, allows athletes to compare their race times with Northside Alumni legends Mary Shelus, Rachel Kittaka, and current collegiate runner Maruja Yoshimura. More importantly, it provides Northside athletes the ability to compare their Time Trial times instantly with last years times, and previous Northside Cross Country Teams.
On Thursday, the 2008 Northside Womens Cross Country Team ran outstanding! The battle for the Top 12 was the most exciting in Team history, and included a photo finish with three girls sprinting to the finish line at the same time for the 12th spot. The Northside Mustangs honored the Top 12 in a Team meeting that followed the Time Trial.
Senior Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:15, and the final mile in 6:49 for an outstanding time of 13:04. Captain Ani Zotti dropped 27 seconds from last year's time trial. In preparation for the 2008 Cross Country Season, Ani Zotti traveled to India, and trained with her teammates at Northside this summer.
Senior Anna Parks ran the first mile in 6:22, and the final mile in 7:02 for an outstanding time of 13:24. Captain Anna Parks trained at Northside this summer with her teammates in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Senior Carmen Abelson ran the first mile in 6:22, and the final mile in 7:02 for an outstanding time of 13:24. Captain Carmen Abelson spent the summer training at camp in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Sophomore Su Yang ran the first mile in 6:49, and the final mile in 7:19 for a personal best time of 14:08. Su Yang dropped 25 seconds from last year's time trial!
Sophomore Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 6:52, and the final mile in 7:29 for a personal best time of 14:21. Karlyn Gehring dropped 1 Minute and 41 seconds from last year's time trial and is one of the most improved athletes on the Team.
Senior Adaora Achufusi ran the first mile in 6:53, and the final mile in 7:31 for a personal best time of 14:24. Achufusi spent the summer training at Northside with her teammates in preparation for the 2008 Cross Country season.
Junior Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 6:54, and the final mile in 7:44 for a time of 14:38 to complete the Mustangs top 7 athletes.
The Northside Varsity Women will travel to Schiller Woods in Chicago, Illinois at the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road on September 3, 2008 to take on, among others, State powerhouse Whitney Young.
VARSITY WOMEN (8/28 - Time Trial - 2.0 Miles) 1. Ani Zotti 13:04 (12th) 2. Anna Parks 13:24 (12th) 3. Carmen Abelson 13:24 (12th) 4. Su Yang 14:08 (10th) 5. Karlyn Gehring 14:21 (10th) 6. Adaora Achufusi 14:24 (12th) 7. Bessie Nolan 14:38 (11th)
JUNIOR VARSITY WOMEN (8/28 - Time Trial - 2.0 Miles) 1. Weronika Zuczek 14:47 (11th) 2. Simmone Seymour 15:32 (11th) 3. Yesenia Valdez 15:40 (11th) 4. Karly Raber 16:48 (9th) 5. Stephany Moreno 16:59 (11th) 6. Rachel Trenchard 17:00 (11th) 7. Mahaim Haider 17:01 (11th)
Note: Top 26 Junior Varsity athletes will race at the St.Patrick Invitational
"IT" AWARD for August 28, 2008 Time Trial: Karlyn Gehring
Although Cross Country try-outs concluded on Friday, August 29, 2008, in recent days, Northside incoming Freshman have traveled from as far away as Germany to attend Northside College Prep for the next four years, and join the Cross Country Team. As a result, the Northside Cross Country Team will accept additional Freshman athletes through Friday, September 5, 2008. Freshman athletes will not be cut from the squad, unless Team Captains feel their is a lack of commitment from an individual.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, the Northside Varsity Men traveled to Schiller Woods on the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois for the St. Patrick Invitational. The St. Patrick Invitational features 15 schools, including: Fenwick, Mather, Whitney Young, Saint Patrick, Trinity, Guerin Prep, Chicago International Charter, Marian Catholic, St. Ignatius, Walter Payton Prep, Northside College Prep, Northridge Prep, Notre Dame, Ridgewood, and Fenton.
In 2007, Fenwick won the St. Patrick Invitational with the following times (16:30, 16:32, 16:43, 17:23, 17:25, 17:28, 17:53), and went on to the State Championships in November 2007.
In 2008, Northside College Prep went into the meet with the goal of simply running faster than last year's first meet on the SAME course, and they did a lot more than that by bringing home the Championship Trophy from the St. Patrick Invitational!!! The Mustangs WON the 2008 St.Patrick Invitational over an impressive Mather Team by a score of 30-54! Northside College Prep won the St. Patrick Invitational with the following times (16:19, 16:50, 16:57, 17:07, 17:24, 17:53, 17:54)!!! It was the first time in Northside history that the Mustangs had 7 guys under 18 minutes.
Mather Senior Ivan Coronel improved on a second place finish in 2007 by winning the meet with an outstanding time of 15:56. Mather Senior Omar Carban was one of the most improved athletes in the Meet. In 2007, Omar Caban finished in 24th place. In 2008, Omar Carban finished second overall with a personal best time of 16:17.
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss placed third overall with an outstanding time of 16:19. Northside Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss improved 10 places from 2007, and dropped 1 Minute and 3 seconds from last year!!! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was awarded a Medal for placing third overall! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:16, and the second mile in 5:29, and the final mile in 5:34, for an outstanding time of 16:19!
St. Ignatius Jimmy Connelly finished in fourth overall with an outstanding time of 16:26.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore finished in fifth overall with an outstanding time of 16:50. Charlie Mesimore improved 13 places from 2007, and dropped 45 seconds from last year!!! Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal for placing fifth overall! Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:20, and the second mile in 5:42, and the final mile in 5:48, for an outstanding time of 16:50!
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished in sixth overall with an outstanding time of 16:57. Cooper Eben improved 13 places from 2007, and dropped 43 seconds from last year!!! Cooper Eben was awarded a Medal for placing sixth overall! Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:25, and the second mile in 5:43, and the final mile in 5:49, for an outstanding time of 16:57!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham outkicked Notre Dame's Belpidio (17:08, 8th) to finish seventh overall with an outstanding time of 17:07. Wesley Laytham improved 33 places from 2007 and was one of the most improved athletes in the meet. Wesley Laytham dropped 1 Minute and 31 seconds from last year!!! Wesley Laytham was awarded a Medal for placing seventh overall! Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:23, and the second mile in 5:51, and the final mile in 5:53, for an outstanding time of 17:07!
Northside Senior Jonathan Kittaka improved upon a tenth place finish in 2007 by finishing in ninth place to complete the scoring for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 17:24! Jonathan Kittaka was awarded a Medal for placing ninth overall! Kittaka was one of keys to the Mustangs victory. On the Final Mile, the Northside coaching staff encouraged Kittaka to catch certain athletes to insure victory, and Kittaka responded by passing all of them. Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:25, and the second mile in 5:58, and the final mile in 6:01, for an outstanding time of 17:24!
The best sixth and seventh runners in the State push the opposing Teams score back by finishing ahead of the opposing Teams fifth runner. Northside Senior Craig Melhuse and Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn did it with perfection for the Mustangs by finishing ahead of Mather's fifth runner at the St. Patrick Invitational to secure victory!!!
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished in 15th overall with a personal best time of 17:53! Craig Melhuse will be honored as the newest member of the Northside sub eighteen club, and Melhuse passed Northside Alumni Joey Paquette on the All-Time list for the 16th fastest time ever in Northside history! Craig Melhuse is one of the most improved athletes on the Team. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:44, and the second mile in 6:08, and ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:01, for a personal best time of 17:53!
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran the second fastest time ever by a Northside Freshman at the St.Patrick Invitational by finishing in 16th overall with a personal best time of 17:54! Taylor Kuehn will be honored as one of the newest members of the Northside sub eighteen club, and tied Northside Alumni Joey Paquette on the All-Time list for the 17th fastest time ever in Northside history! Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:45, and the second mile in 6:08, and ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:01, for a personal best time of 17:54!
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside Mustangs will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the Rebel Invitational. The meet will feature 30 Teams from Illinois and Wisconsin. It is one of the best race courses in the Nation. The course has been the home of the Footlocker Midwest Regional High School Cross Country Championships, and the U.S. National Cross Country Championships. A Team/Parent Tailgate party will follow the meet.
WIN = What's Important Now
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, the Northside Varsity Women traveled to Schiller Woods on the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois for the St. Patrick Invitational. The St. Patrick Invitational featured 16 schools, including: Ressurection, Fenwick, Mather, Whitney Young, Saint Patrick, Trinity, Guerin Prep, Chicago International Charter, Marian Catholic, St. Ignatius, Walter Payton Prep, Northside College Prep, Northridge Prep, Notre Dame, Ridgewood, and Fenton.
Northside College Prep went into the meet with the goal of simply running faster than last year's first meet on the SAME course, and they did a lot more than that by bringing home the Third Place Trophy from the St. Patrick Invitational!!!
Northside Senior Ani Zotti lead the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 20:34. Ani Zotti finished 11th overall, and dropped 1 Minute and 22 seconds from last year! Captain Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:25, and the second mile in 7:00, and ran the final mile in 7:09, for an outstanding time of 20:34!
Northside Senior Anna Parks finished second for the Mustangs and 15th overall with an outstanding time of 21:14. Anna Parks dropped 1 Minute and 46 seconds from last year! Captain Anna Parks ran the first mile in 6:38, and the second mile in 7:12, and the final mile in 7:24, for an outstanding time of 21:14!
Northside Senior Carmen Abelson finished third for the Mustangs and 18th overall with an outstanding time of 21:27. Carmen Abelson dropped 58 seconds from last year! Captain Carmen Abelson ran the first mile in 6:38, and the second mile in 7:23, and the final mile in 7:26, for an outstanding time of 21:27!
Northside Junior Bessie Nolan finished fourth for the Mustangs and 29th overall with an outstanding time of 22:23. Bessie Nolan dropped 1 Minute and 10 seconds from last year! Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 7:03, and the second mile in 7:37, and the final mile in 7:43, for an outstanding time of 22:23!
Northside Sophomore Su Yang finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring, and 33rd overall with an outstanding time of 22:37. Su Yang dropped 48 seconds from last year! Su Yang ran the first mile in 7:00, and the second mile in 7:41, and the final mile in 7:56, for an outstanding time of 22:37!
Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi finished sixth for the Mustangs, and 34th overall with an outstanding time of 22:42! Adaora Achufusi dropped 3 MINUTES and 36 SECONDS from last year! Adaora Achufusi ran the first mile in 7:05, and the second mile in 7:42, and the final mile in 7:55, for an outstanding time of 22:42!
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished seventh for the Mustangs, and 36th overall with an outstanding time of 22:48! Karlyn Gehring dropped 3 MINUTES and 19 SECONDS from last year! Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 7:06, and the second mile in 7:53, and ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:49, for an outstanding time of 22:48!
The Mustangs will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 6, 2008, to take on 30 Teams in the Rebel Invitational!
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, the Northside Junior Varsity Boys traveled to Schiller Woods on the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois for the St. Patrick Invitational. The St. Patrick Invitational featured 15 schools, including: Fenwick, Mather, Whitney Young, Saint Patrick, Trinity, Guerin Prep, Chicago International Charter, Marian Catholic, St. Ignatius, Walter Payton Prep, Northside College Prep, Northridge Prep, Notre Dame, Ridgewood, and Fenton. The field featured over 140 runners.
The race distance for the Junior Varsity race was 2.5 Miles. Although the Mustangs have only raced that distance at a limited number of meets during the last 10 years, the fastest any Northside athlete had raced 2.5 Miles prior to the meet was 16:06. Several of the Mustangs would shatter that mark at the St.Patrick Invitational in the most impressive performance ever by a Northside Junior Varsity Team. Although the Junior Varsity division was not officially scored, after a quick score card check among coaches, it was determined that the Northside Junior Varsity unofficially WON the St. Patrick Invitational Junior Varsity division!
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni lead the Mustangs, by running the first mile in 5:45, and at the Mile was in second place overall to a runner from St. Ignatius. Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the second mile in 6:18, for a two mile split of 12:03, and was now leading the field along with a runner from St. Ignatius. With 300 meters to go, Simon Vecchioni began his kick to the finish, and showed incredible speed, guts, and determination as he dropped the runner from St. Ignatius as they rounded the final turn to become the first St. Patrick Junior Varsity Champion in Northside College Prep history! Simon Vecchioni WON the St. Patrick Junior Varsity division with a personal best time of 15:06!
Following the meet, Simon Vecchioni was awarded warm-ups, and a Mustangs gym bag for running a Northside Top 8 time!!! The Mustangs will travel to Kenosha, Wisonsin on Saturday, September 6, 2008 for the Rebel Invitational. The State of Wisconsin High School Association allows eight athletes to race at the Varsity level in every meet. After winning the St.Patrick Invitational, Simon Vecchioni will run in his first Varsity race of the year at the Rebel Invitational on Saturday, September 6, 2008.
The Mustangs will award warm-ups and gym bags to the Top 9 at the Rebel Invitational. The 9th fastest Northside time at the St.Patrick Invitational, was Sophomore Dominic Sieminski with a 15:15 in the Sophomore-Freshman division.
In the Junior Varsity division, Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished second for the Mustangs and fourth overall with a personal best time of 15:26! Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:55, and the second mile in 6:25, and the final 800 meters in 3:06 for a personal best time of 15:26! Jiasong Yang ran a Northside Top 10 time!!!
The 11th fastest Northside time at the St.Patrick Invitational, was Sophomore Noel Lopez with a 15:40 in Sophomore-Freshman division.
In the Junior Varsity division, Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld finished third for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 15:40! Spencer Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:52, and the second mile in 6:26, and the final 800 meters in 3:22 for a personal best time of 15:40! Spencer Rosenfeld ran a Northside Top 12 time!!!
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes finished fourth for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 15:44! Forrest Cortes ran the first mile in 6:07, and the second mile in 6:27, and the final 800 meters in 3:10 for a personal best time of 15:44!
Northside Junior James Rey finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with a personal best time of 16:45! James Rey ran the first mile in 6:13, and the second mile in 7:10, and the final 800 meters in 3:22 for a personal best time of 16:45!
Northside Senior Coleman Gailloreto finished sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 17:14! Coleman Gailloreto ran the first mile in 6:39, and the second mile in 7:04, and the final 800m in 3:31 for a personal best time of 17:14!
Northside Sophomore Alex Luke finished seventh for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 17:19. Alex Luke ran the first mile in 6:55, and ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the second mile with a 6:48, and the final 800m in 3:36 for a personal best time of 17:19!
Northside Senior Ted Kalaw finished eighth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 17:58. Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon finished ninth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 18:04. Northside Senior Nathan Michaelson finished in tenth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 18:05. Northside Junior Peter Wilk finished in eleventh for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 18:15.
Northside Freshman Chris Ceisel finished 12th for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 18:35! Chris Ceisel ran the first mile in 7:14, and the second mile in 7:50, and the final 800 meters in 3:31 for a personal best time of 18:35! Chris Ceisel was the Mustangs top freshman in the Junior Varsity division.
Northside Sophomore Richard Morales finished 13th for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 18:42. Northside Freshman Honglin Xiao finished 14th for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 18:46. Northside Junior Sam Olver finished 15th for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 18:49.
Other Northside finishers included: Sophomore Honghe Li (18:51), Junior Neal Capapas (19:11), Senior Norman Lee (19:45), Freshman Matt Sugai (20:29), Junior Neibu Tadele (20:55), Sophomore Damian Azubuike (22:06), Sophomore Alredo Almaraz (22:15), Freshman Luis Mesa (24:44), and Freshman Edgar Ortega (24:54).
The Mustangs will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 6, 2008 to take on 30 Teams in one of the largest Cross Country Meets in the Midwest, the Rebel Invitational.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, the Northside Sophmore-Freshman Boys traveled to Schiller Woods on the corner of Cumberland and Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois for the St. Patrick Invitational. The St. Patrick Invitational features 15 schools, including: Fenwick, Mather, Whitney Young, Saint Patrick, Trinity, Guerin Prep, Chicago International Charter, Marian Catholic, St. Ignatius, Walter Payton Prep, Northside College Prep, Northridge Prep, Notre Dame, Ridgewood, and Fenton.
St. Ignatius won the the meet with 49 points. Whitney Young came in second with 78 points. Fenwick finished in third place with 95 points. The Top three Sophomore-Freshman Boys Teams were awarded Team Trophies. The Mustangs finished in fourth place with 117 points!!!
The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team had a major upgrade in 2008. The Team opened the season with the addition of five members of the 2007 Northside Freshman City Championship Team on it, including: Dominic Sieminski, Noel Lopez, Fahad Savari, Erik Zuehlke, and Luis Gaytan. The Team also features Sophomore Rhiday Pandya and outstanding Freshman Pat Duffy.
Sophomore Dominic Sieminski led the Mustangs by finishing 18th overall with a personal best time of 15:15! Dominic ran the first mile in 6:05, and the second mile in 6:15, and the final 800 meters in 2:55 for a personal best time of 15:15!
Sophomore Noel Lopez finished second for the Mustangs and 21st overall with a personal best time of 15:40! Noel ran the first mile in 6:05, and the second mile in 6:26, and the final 800 meters in 3:09 for a personal best time of 15:40!
Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished third for the Mustangs and 23rd overall with a personal best time of 15:46! Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 6:09, and the second mile in 6:31, and the final 800 meters in 3:06 for a personal best time of 15:46!
Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished fourth for the Mustangs and 27th overall with a personal best time of 15:51! Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 6:09, and the second mile in 6:41, and the final 800 meters in 3:01 for a personal best time of 15:51!
Sophomore Fahad Savari finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 28th overall with a personal best time of 15:59! Fahad Savari ran the first mile in 6:05, and the second mile in 6:35, and the final 800 meters in 3:19 for a personal best time of 15:59!
Sophomore Rhiday Pandya finished sixth for the Mustangs and 31st overall with a personal best time of 16:02! Rhiday Pandya ran the first mile in 6:09, and the second mile in 6:42, and the final 800 meters in 3:11 for a personal best time of 16:02!
Freshman Pat Duffy finished seventh for the Mustangs and 35th overall with a personal best time of 16:05! Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 6:09, and the second mile in 6:44, and the final 800 meters in 3:12 for a personal best time of 16:05!
The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 6, 2008 to help the Junior Varsity against 30 Teams in the Rebel Invitational.
The Rebel Invitational in Kenosha,Wisconsin is one of the most competitive meets in the Midwest. The Rebel Invitational also features the U.S. National Cross Country course, and it is also the cite for the Footlocker High School Midwest Regional Championships. The course is all grass and trails, with one of the largest hills and longest inclines at the start of any race in the country. The meet will also be broadcasted across the Nation on the internet via Wisconsin Runner as well. The course is located at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside, and there are several parks adjacent to the course ideal for Tailgating.
The Tailgate party provided by the Northside Parents in 2007 at the Rebel Invitational was second to none. It was a special experience for all of the athletes, parents, coaching staff, and guests. We need your help again to make this event a success in 2008. If you could bring any kind of finger food, drinks, paper ware, plastic ware, let Coach Gordon know and he will post a list of items bring brought on our Team website.
As of September 6, 2008:
1) Eben Family Miniature Sandwiches
2) Kittaka Family Raw Veggies, Pita, and Hummus
3) Melhuse Family Dessert / Coffee Cake
4) Rey Family Mini Ham and Turkey Sandwiches
5) Abelson Family Cookies
6) Pineda Youniss Family Large pasta salad, drinks, and plastic ware (forks, spoons, knives).
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside College Prep Mustangs traveled to "Cross Country USA" in Kenosha, Wisconsin for the 21st Annual Rebel Invitational. The Rebel Invitational features the U.S. National Cross Country course. The National Cross Country Course is a permenant 5K Cross Country course, and is only used for Cross Country races and no other functions. A starting line and finish line are the only common elements on the course. The course challenges every athlete with hills, winding paths, sharp turns, and sudden changes in surface. It is one of the greatest cross country courses in the United States. Over 100,000 athletes have raced on the course.
A cannon is fired to start each race at the Rebel Invitational, and the course features a 600 meter uphill start before the athletes turn onto trails in the woods with narrow turns, and more hills. Fans line up on both sides of the first hill, hours before the race to get a good viewing spot to see 240+ athletes charging up the hill in each race. A time clock is at every mile mark, and a countdown timer is centrally located at the starting line of each race as well. A pace truck leads the front runners through the course, and the meet is broadcasted in the State of Wisconsin on the internet.
The State of Wisconsin allows eight athletes instead of seven to race at the Varsity level, and the race distance is 3.1 Miles instead of 3.0 Miles. The field at the Rebel Invitational was highly competitive, with 30 Teams and 240 runners in the Varsity division. The field included Illinois powerhouses Libertyville, Lake Zurich, Warren Township, Highland Park, and Antioch. The meet also featured the best Teams in the state of Wisconsin, including: Waterford Union, West Bend, Badger, Beaver Dam, Big Foot, Brown Deer, East Troy, Greendale, Greenfield, Kenosha Tremper, Manitowoc Lincoln, Milwaukee Marquette, Milwaukee Pius XI, Milwauke Thomas More, Racine Horlick, Shorewood, Union Grove, Waukegan Catholic Memorial, Waukesha West, Wauwatosa West, Wilmot Union, Thomas More, and Clementi High School.
The Northside Mustangs had their best meet of the season, and finished in 5th place overall and defeated among others, friendly suburban rival Libertyville 116-213! As a TEAM, the Mustangs improved four places from last year (9th place in 2007), by finishing fifth overall, and were within less than 7 points from third place, and also within striking distance of Waterford Union, the Rebel Invitational Champion.
Medals were awarded to the Top 25 athletes in the meet. Only TWO of the 30 Teams had four athletes earn Medals at the Rebel Invitational. Northside College Prep and Waterford Union both took home four medals from the Rebel Invitational!!! It was the first time in Northside history that four athletes earned Medals at the Rebel Invitational.
After the Meet, Libertyville Head Coach Mark Buesing invited the Northside College Prep Mustangs to their campus to meet Olympian Craig Virgin (Illinois Cross Country State record holder, NCAA Champion, and member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team) in October 2008. The Mustangs accepted the invitation, and are also looking forward to the Libertyville Invitational in Adler Park on September 20, 2008.
The Mustangs celebrated the success of the Meet with a Tailgate Party, that featured three picnic tables of food and drinks. The Tailgate Party ended with an exciting TEAM football game. A special thanks to all the Northside families that traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to support the Team, and provide the athletes and coaching staff with an experience that was second to none.
The Varsity Men now have a record of 39-4!!! The Mustangs will travel to Horner Park on Saturday, September 13, 2008 to take on a field of 25 Teams, including IHSA Sectional rival Fenwick, among others, at the Gordon Tech Invitational.
Sophomore Charlie Mesimore placed 17th overall to earn a Medal at the Rebel Invitational with a 5K personal best time of 17:20. Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:40, and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the second mile with a 5:37 (11:17), and then ran another NEGATIVE SPLIT on the third mile with a 5:29 (16:46), and ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 34 seconds for a personal best 5K time of 17:20! Charlie Messimore dropped 49 seconds from last year! Charlie Mesimore was also the second fastest Sophomore in the meet!
Junior Cooper Eben earned a Medal by placing 22nd overall with a personal best 5k time of 17:35. Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:42, and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 5:40 for the second mile (11:22), and then ran another NEGATIVE SPLIT of 5:36 (16:58), and ran the final 0.1of a mile in 37 seconds for a personal best 5K time of 17:35! Cooper Eben dropped 1 Minute and five seconds from last year!
Captain Jonathan Kittaka completed the scoring by finishing 46th overall and ran an outstanding 5k time of 18:15. Senior Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:47, and then ran a 5:49 for the second mile (11:36), and then ran the third mile in 6:02 (17:38), and then held off surges from Shorewood's Brendan Vorphal, and Libertyville's third man Ryan Burke to secure vital points for the Mustangs by running the last 0.1 of a mile in 37 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 18:15!
Senior Jonathan Kittaka training has been awesome since he became 100% healthy in late August. Kittaka gets stronger and faster everyday. At Kenosha, Jonathan Kittaka put the Mustangs over the Top in the Rebel Invitational by securing a key victory over Marquette University High School. Marquette University High School finished third overall in the State Meet in Wisconsin last year! In addition, Jonathan Kittaka also helped secure victories over 25 other Teams!
The best sixth, seventh, and eighth runners in the State push the opposing Teams score back by finishing ahead of the opposing Teams fifth runner. Only the great teams have athletes that can do it. The Mustangs are fortunate to have three great athletes that can do it with perfection. Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn, Senior Craig Melhuse, and Captain Simon Vecchioni finished ahead of the fifth runner of over 19+ Teams at the Rebel Invitational to secure vital points for the Mustangs!!!
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished 59th overall and sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 18:52! Taylor Kuehn was the fastest Freshman in the meet! It was also the second fastest time in school history ever run by a Northside Freshman at the Rebel Invitational! Taylor Kuehn is an incredible athlete, and also competes in Basketball, Hockey, and Track and Field. Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 6:05, and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the second mile with a 6:01 (12:06), and then ran a 6:09 on the third mile (18:15), and then ran the last 0.1 of a mile in 37 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 18:52! Taylor Kuehn put the Mustangs over the Top by finishing ahead of the fifth runner from 23 Teams at the Rebel Invitational to push opposing Teams score back, and secure victories for the Mustangs!!!
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished 71st overall and seventh for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 19:10! Craig Melhuse is an incredible four sport athlete (Cross Country, Basketball, Indoor Track, and Volleyball). Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 6:05, and then ran a 6:07 on the second mile (12:12), and then ran a 6:21 on the third mile (18:33), and then ran the last 0.1 of a mile in 37 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:10! Craig Melhuse put the Mustangs over the Top by finishing ahead of the fifth runner from 20 Teams at the Rebel Invitational to push opposing Teams score back, and secure victories for the Mustangs!!!
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni finished 84th overall and eighth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 19:32! Simon Vecchioni is an incredible athlete, and holds numerous school records including the 1100 consecutive crunches with a 12 lbs medicine ball, and the Distance Medley Relay record. Simon Vecchioni is also a black belt in Karate. Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 6:05, and then ran a 6:07 on the second mile (12:12), and then ran a 6:43 (18:55), and then ran the last 0.1 of a mile in 37 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:32! Simon Vecchioni dropped 44 seconds from last year! Simon Vecchioni put the Mustangs over the Top by finishing ahead of the fifth runner from 19 Teams at the Rebel Invitational to push opposing Teams score back, and secure victories for the Mustangs!!!
The Mustangs will travel to Horner Park on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois on the corner of Montrose and California Ave. for the Gordon Tech Invitational. The Mustangs will take on a field of twenty-five Teams, and will be seeking their first Gordon Tech Invitational Title in school history. The Mustangs will only be allowed to race seven athletes at the Varsity level at the Gordon Tech Invitational. As a result, Northside Senior Simon Vecchioni will be leading the Junior Varsity, as they seek Northside's first Junior Varsity Team title in school history at the Gordon Tech Invitational. Simon Vecchioni will also be seeking his second individual title of the season.
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Women traveled to "Cross Country USA" in Kenosha, Wisconsin for the 21st Annual Rebel Invitational. The Rebel Invitational features the U.S. National Cross Country course. The National Cross Country Course is a permenant 4K Cross Country course, and is only used for Cross Country races and no other functions. A starting line and finish line are the only common elements on the course. The course challenges every athlete with hills, winding paths, sharp turns, and sudden changes in surface. It is one of the greatest cross country courses in the United States. Over 100,000 athletes have raced on the course.
The State of Wisconsin allows eight athletes instead of seven to race at the Varsity level, and the race distance for women is 2.48 Miles instead of 3.0 Miles. The field at the Rebel Invitational was highly competitive, with 30 Teams and 240 runners in the Varsity division. The field included Illinois powerhouses Libertyville, Lake Zurich, Warren Township, Highland Park, and Antioch. The meet also features the best Teams in the state of Wisconsin, including: Waterford Union, West Bend, Badger, Beaver Dam, Big Foot, Brown Deer, East Troy, Greendale, Greenfield, Kenosha Tremper, Manitowoc Lincoln, Milwaukee Marquette, Milwaukee Pius XI, Milwauke Thomas More, Racine Horlick, Shorewood, Union Grove, Waukegan Catholic Memorial, Waukesha West, Wauwatosa West, Wilmot Union, Thomas More, and Clementi High School.
After losing Rachel Kittaka, Lena Guerriero, and Julia Shimada to graduation, the Northside Varsity Women impressively equaled their 2007 performance (15th place) by placing 15th overall in the 2008 Rebel Invitational!
The Mustangs were lead by Captain Ani Zotti. Senior Ani Zotti placed 50th overall and ran a 4k personal best time of 17:24! Ani Zotti dropped 20 seconds from last year!
Captain Carmen Abelson finished second for the Mustangs and placed 67th overall with a personal best 4k time of 17:51!
Captain Anna Parks finished third for the Mustangs and placed 68th overall with an outstanding 4k time of 17:51.
Junior Bessie Nolan finished fourth for the Mustangs and placed 93rd overall with a personal best 4k time of 18:28! Bessie Nolan dropped 35 seconds from last year!
Senior Adaora Achufusi finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 99th overall with a personal best 4k time of 18:38. Adaora Achufusi dropped 1 Minute and 50 seconds from last year!
Sophomore Su Yang finished sixth for the Mustangs and placed 105th overall with an outstanding 4k time of 19:00.
Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished seventh for the Mustangs and placed 113th overall with a personal best 4k time of 19:41! Karlyn Gehring dropped 1 Minute and 7 seconds from last year!
Junior Simmone Seymour finished eighth for the Mustangs and placed 127th overall with a personal best 4k time of 21:28!
The Northside Varsity Women will travel on September 13, 2008 to Horner Park in Chicago, Illinois on the corner of Montrose and California Ave. for the Gordon Tech Invitational. The Northside Women are the defending Gordon Tech Invitational Champions!
On Friday, September 12, 2008, the night before the Gordon Tech Invitational, Todd Williams will address the Northside College Prep Cross Country Team and Parents at a Team Pasta Party in the Northside College Prep Cafeteria, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Villa Palermo Catering will provide the Northside Cross Country Team and Parents with Chicken Alfredo (Linguini with grilled chicken in a creamy alfredo sauce), Penne Pasta with marinara sauce, Grilled Chicken Penne Pasta (Penne with grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes & basil), Fresh Bread, Garden Salad, and bottled water. All expenses are 100% paid by the Northside Cross Country Coaching staff. If you would like to bring something, we could use more drinks. Thanks.
Todd Williams is a two-time Olympian (10,000m), four-time USA Champion (10,000m), two-time USA Cross Country Champion, USA Indoor Champion (3000m), five-time GATE River Run Champion (set American Record 15k, 42:22), eight-time NCAA ALL AMERICAN in Cross Country and Track, School recorder holder for the University of Tennesse in the 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, two-time State High School Cross Country Champion (Michigan), Placed 2nd in Footlocker National Cross Country Championships, and has a 5000m PR of 13:19, Two Mile PR of 8:14, Mile PR of 4:00, Marathon PR of 2:11.17, and 10,000m PR of 27:31. In an article by Runner's World, Williams said, "I never have a problem getting motivated to run. I don't care how hot it is or how hard it's raining, I love being out there, pushing myself. In fact, the worse it is, the more I like it." Williams is ultra-competitive and driven. Every 5 minutes or so while he's watching TV, he drops to the floor and does sets of 25 push-ups and sit-ups, partly because he can't bear to think that someone, somewhere is training when he's not. (In all, Williams does 300 push-ups and 500 sit-ups a day). He named his dog "PRE" and he was coached by former Olympic steeplechaser, Doug Brown.
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside Junior Varsity Girls traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the Rebel Invitational. The Junior Varsity Girls finished in 13th place overall!
The Mustangs were lead by Junior Yesenia Valdez with a personal best 4k time of 19:54! It was the eighth fastest Northside time of the day. As as result, Yesenia Valdez will be awarded warm-ups and a GYM bag at practice on Monday for running a Top nine time!
Junior Merita Bushi finished 2nd for the Mustangs and 72nd overall with a personal best 4k time of 21:15. It was also a Top 12 time!
Senior Maria Zdunek finished third for the Mustangs and 74th overall with a personal best 4k time of 21:18. It was also a Top 12 time! Maria Zdunek dropped 30 seconds from last year!
Freshman Karly Raber finished fourth for the Mustangs and 81st overall with a personal best 4k time of 21:54. It was also a Top 12 time!
Junior Mahaim Haider completed the scoring by finishing fifth for the Mustangs and 83rd overall with a personal best 4k time of 22:28. Mahaim Haider dropped 2 minutes and 14 seconds from last year!
Junior Bridget Illing finished sixth for the Mustangs and 84th overall with a personal best 4k time of 22:30!
Junior Jessica Tapia finished seventh for the Mustangs and and 85th overall with a personal best 4k time of 22:34! Jessica Tapia dropped 9 seconds from last year!
Junior Anna Jacob finished eighth for the Mustangs and 93rd overall with a personal best 4k time of 22:43!
Junior Rachel Trenchard finished ninth for the Mustangs and 94th overall with a personal best 4k time of 22:47!
Senior Katherine Ceisel finished tenth for the Mustangs with a personal best 4k time of 24:32!
Senior Dashielle Bark-Huss finished eleventh for the Mustangs with a personal best 4k time of 25:21.
Freshman Loren Peidrasanta finished twelfth for the Mustangs with a personal best 4k time of 25:31.
The Northside Junior Varsity Girls will travel to Horner Park in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, September 13, 2008 for the Gordon Tech Invitational.
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside College Prep Junior Varsity Boys Cross Country Team traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the Rebel Invitational! The Mustangs placed 7th overall!
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang lead the Mustangs by placing 23rd overall with an outstanding 5k time of 19:36. Jiasong Yang ran a three mile split of 19:00, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 36 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 19:36! Jiasong Yang earned warm-ups and a Gym bag by running the ninth fastest Northside time of the day!
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld finished second for the Mustangs and 32nd overall with a personal best 5k time of 19:44. Spencer Rosenfeld ran a three mile split of 19:08, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 36 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:44! Spencer Rosenfeld ran a Northside Top 12 time!
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished third for the Mustangs and 33rd overall with a personal best 5k time of 19:45. Dominic Sieminski ran a three mile split of 19:15, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 30 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:45! Dominic Sieminski also ran a Northside Top 12 time!
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished fourth for the Mustangs and 40th overall with a personal best 5k time of 19:55. Luis Gaytan ran a three mile split of 19:21, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 34 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:55! Luis Gaytan also ran a Northside Top 12 time!
Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke completed the scoring by finishing fifth for the Mustangs and 47th overall with a personal best 5k time of 20:11. Erik Zuehlke ran a three mile split of 19:40, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 31 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 20:11!
Northside Sophomore Noel Lopez finished sixth for the Mustangs and 55th overall with a personal best 5k time of 20:23. Noel Lopez ran a three mile split of 19:50, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 33 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 20:23!
Northside Sophomore Fahad Savari finished seventh for the Mustangs and 57th overall with a personal best 5k time of 20:28. Fahad Savari ran a three mile split of 19:55, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 33 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 20:28!
Northside Junior James Rey finished eighth for the Mustangs and 111th overall with an outstanding 5k time of 21:31. James Rey ran a three mile split of 20:53, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 38 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 21:31!
Northside Senior Coleman Gaillioreto finished ninth for the Mustangs and 127th overall with a personal best 5k time of 21:51. Coleman Gailloreto ran a three mile split of 21:11, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 40 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 21:51! Coleman Gaillioreto dropped 2 Minutes and 17 seconds from last year!
Northside Sophomore Alex Luke finished tenth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 22:24. Alex Luke ran a three mile split of 21:50, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 34 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 22:24!
Northside Sophomore Richard Morales finished eleventh for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 23:14. Richard Morales ran a three mile split of 22:40, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 34 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 23:14!
Northside Senior Ted Kalaw finished twelfth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 23:19. Ted Kalaw ran a three mile split of 22:45, and then ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 34 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 23:19!
Additional Northside 5k finishers included: Andrew Czyszczon (23:28), Nathan Michaelson (23:43), Honghe Li (23:54), Neal Capapas (24:18), John Ko (24:55), Norman Lee (24:56), Sam Olver (25:05), Damian Azubuike (29:56), and Alfredo Almaraz (30:01).
The Northside Junior Varsity Boys are now 23-6 on the season!
On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Northside Freshman Boys traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the Rebel Invitational.
Northside Freshman Pat Duffy lead the Mustangs and placed 20th overall with a personal best 4k time of 15:55! Pat Duffy dropped 10 seconds from the St.Patrick Invitational!
Northside Freshman John Ringor finished second for the Mustangs and placed 39th overall with a personal best 4k time of 17:59!
Northside Freshman Chris Ceisel finished third for the Mustangs and placed 40th overall with a personal best 4k time of 18:12!
Northside Freshman Honglin Xiao finished fourth for the Mustangs and placed 45th overall with a personal best 4k time of 19:20!
Northside Freshman Matt Sugai completed the scoring by finishing fifth for the Mustangs and placed 51st overall with a personal best 4k time of 20:38!
Northside Freshman Luis Mesa finished sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best 4k time of 26:05.
Northside Freshman Edgar Ortega finished seventh for the Mustangs and outkicked Shorewood's Ben Pagenkopf to the finish with a personal best 4k time of 26:21!
The Northside Freshman will travel on September 9, 2008 to Legion Park in Chicago, Illinois on the corner of Kedzie and Brwyn Mawer for the Ranger Invitational.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, the Northside Junior Varsity Boys traveled to the corner of Kedzie and Brwyn Mawr in Chicago, Illinois for the Ranger Classic. The Ranger Classic features one race, a Varisty race with unlimtied entries. The course is mostly flat, and on grass. The race distance was 2.0 Miles. Medals were awaded to the Top 10 Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman in the meet. Fleet Feet provided all of the athletes with gatorade and water.
Although Northside was without their Top 12 Varsity runners (preparing for a day of 1200m repeats with a sculpture run), the Northside Junior Varsity Boys took on Varsity runners from Lane Tech, Mather, Whitney Young, Lakeview, Farragut, Walter Payton, Marshall, Schurz, Little Village, and Von Steuben.
Lane Tech Senior Luis Rodriguez (10:11.78) had an impressive finish to upset Walter Payton Junior Jose Mora (10:12.23) to win the Ranger Classic! Lane Tech Sophomore Max Silva also ran outstanding by finishing in third place with a time of 10:43. Lane Tech won the meet. Mather finished in second. Whitney Young finished in third place.
The Northside Junior Varsity Boys finished in 4th place, and posted their 30th win of the season over Varsity squads, by beating Lake View (183), Farragut (208), Walter Payton (218), Marshall (225), Schurz (225), Little Village (229), and Von Steuben (270).
The Mustangs were lead by the one-two punch of Sophomores Noel Lopez (11:44.71) and Fahad Sarvari (11:46.62). Noel Lopez ran the first mile in 5:54, and the second mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:50 for an outstanding time of 11:44 to finish 27th overall. Noel Lopez was awarded a Medal for finishing as the 10th fastest Sophomore in the meet!!!
Northside Sophomore Fahad Sarvari finished second for the Mustangs and 29th overall with an outstanding time of 11:46. Fahad Sarvari ran the first mile in 5:57, and the second mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:49 for an outstanding time of 11:46.
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes finished third for the Mustangs and 37th overall with an outstanding time of 11:55. Forrest Cortes ran the first mile in 5:57, and the second mile in 5:58 for an outstanding time of 11:55. Forrest Cortes was awarded a Medal for finishing as the 8th fastest Junior in the meet.
Whitney Young Pole Vault star, Sophomore Dave Rodgers finished 38th overall with an outstanding time of 11:56.
Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished fourth for the Mustangs and 43rd overall with an outstanding time of 12:02. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 6:04, and the second mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:58 for an outstanding time of 12:02. Erik Zuehlke dropped 5 seconds from the Mustangs Team Time Trial!!!
Whitney Young Pole Vault star, Junior Max Davis finished 51st overall with an outstanding time of 12:17. Max Davis was awarded a Medal for finishing as the 10th fastest Junior in the meet.
Freshman Pat Duffy completed the scoring for Northside by finishing fifth for the Mustangs and 67th overall with a personal best time of 12:46. Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 6:26, and the second mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:20 for a personal best time of 12:46. Pat Duffy dropped 29 seconds from the Mustangs Team Time Trial!!! Pat Duffy was awarded a Medal for finishing as the 9th fastest Freshman in the meet.
Northside Junior James Rey finished sixth for the Mustangs and 70th overall with an outstanding time of 12:49.
Northside Sophomore Alex Luke finished seventh for the Mustangs and 84th overall with an outstanding time of 13:10. Alex Luke dropped 30 seconds from the Mustangs Team Time Trial!!!
Northside Junior Peter Wilk finished eighth for the Mustangs and 88th overall with an outstanding time of 13:14.
Northside Senior Rafael Confino finished ninth for the Mustangs and 91st overall with an outstanding time of 13:18.
Northside Freshman Chris Ceisel finished tenth for the Mustangs and 92nd overall with an outstanding time of 13:19.
Northside Senior Ted Kalaw finished eleventh for the Mustangs and 99th overall with an outstanding time of 13:32.
Northside Senior Coleman Gailloreto finished twelfth for the Mustangs and 101st overall with an outstanding time of 13:34.
Additional Northside finishers include: Freshman John Ringor (13:35), Senior Nathan Michaelson (13:43), Junior Andrew Czyszczon (13:46), Sophomore Honghe Li (13:53), Senior Norman Lee (14:15), Senior John Ko (14:36), Junior Nebieu Tadele (15:38), Sophomore Alfredo Almaraz (16:42), Freshman Matt Sugai (17:18), Freshman Edgar Ortega (17:38) and Freshman Luis Mesa (18:29).
The Northside Junior Varsity Boys will travel to Horner Park on the corner of Montrose and California Ave. in Chicago, Illinois for the Gordon Tech Invitational on Saturday, September 13, 2008.
Although Northside was without their Top 12 Varsity runners (preparing for a day of 1200m repeats with a sculpture run), the Northside Junior Varsity Girls took on Varsity runners from Lane Tech, Mather, Whitney Young, Lakeview, Farragut, Walter Payton, Marshall, Schurz, Little Village, and Von Steuben.
Whitney Young won the meet. Whitney Young Junior Rachel Joravsky (12:02), Junior Devyn Thompson (12:15), and Sophomore Maisie Vaschuska (12:30) impressively took the top 3 places in the meet.
The Northside Junior Varsity girls finished in 9th place and posted victories over Marshall and Little Village.
The Mustangs were lead by Junior Weronika Zuczek. Zuczek finished 34th overall with an outstanding time of 14:47.
Northside Junior Rachel Trenchard finshed second for the Mustangs and 92nd overall with an outstanding time of 16:31. Trenchard dropped 29 seconds from the Mustangs Team Time Trial!!!
Northside Junior Jessica Tapia finished third for the Mustangs and 100th overall with an outstanding time of 16:47.
Northside Junior Stephany Moreno finished fourth for the Mustangs and 103rd overall with an outstanding time of 16:53.
Northside Junior Mahaim Haider completed the scoring by finishing fifth for the Mustangs and 105th overall with a time of 16:55.
Northside Junior Bridget Illining finished sixth for the Mustangs and 114th overall with a time of 17:25.
Northside Junior Anna Jacob finished seventh for the Mustangs and 115th overall with a time of 17:29.
Northside Freshman Loren Piedrasanta finished eighth for the Mustangs and 137th overall with a time of 18:45.
Northside Senior Katy Ceisel finished ninth for the Mustangs and 144th overall with a time of 19:22.
The Northside Junior Varsity Girls will travel to Horner Park on Saturday, September 13, 2008 for the Gordon Tech Invitational.
On Friday, September 12, 2008, Olympian Todd Williams addressed the Northside Cross Country Team and parents at a Team Pasta Party.
At the Pasta Party, Todd Williams talked about his path to the Olympic games, and goals he set throughout his running career and it was how he responded to "second place" or missing his goal, that made him an Olympian.
After his Freshman year, Todd Williams set the goal of earning All State honors in Cross Country, and asked his coach what he could do to improve, and reach his goal, and Williams was given the challenge of running 500 Miles and putting in the time in the weight room. Todd Williams followed through on the demands of his coach by running 500 miles in the Winter, and another 500 Miles in the summer, and putting in the time in the weight room.
His Sophomore year of high school, Todd Williams missed All-State honors by one place in the Michigan High School Cross Country State Championships to his own teammate. He asked his coach what he could do to reach his goal, and his coach challenged him to run another 500 Miles in the winter, and another 500 Miles in the summer. Todd Williams followed through on the demands of his coach by running another 500 Miles in the Winter, and another 500 Miles in the summer.
His Junior year of high school, he reached his goal of All State honors, but lost the Michigan High School State Cross Country Championship by .1 of a second. Todd Willaims also came up short at the National qualifying meet, by finishing 9th at Footlocker Midwest Regionals when 8 athletes qualify for Nationals (race was held at same location at the Rebel Invitational).
Todd Williams asked his coach again what he could do to win the state title and qualify for Footlocker Nationals. His coach challenged him to run 750 miles in the winter, and another 750 Miles in the summer. Todd Williams followed through on the demands of his coach by running 750 Miles in the Winter, and another 750 Miles in the summer.
His Senior year of high school, Todd Williams won the Michigan High School State Cross Country Championship, and qualified for Footlocker Nationals by winning the Footlocker Midwest Regional in Kenosha, Wisconsin (same course as the Rebel Invitational), and beating american record holder Bob Kennedy.
At Footlocker Nationals, Todd Williams finished second, and once again asked his coach what he could do to improve. His coach challenged him to run 1,000 miles in the winter. Todd Williams followed through on the demands of his coach by running 1,000 miles in the winter.
Todd Williams broke Steve Prefontaine Two-Mile Record in Oregon at historic Hayward Field, but placed second in the race by one second. He responded to finishing in second, by running another 1,000 miles, and put in the time in the weight room. This path of meeting the demands of his high school and college coaches lead him to another "second" place in the Olympic trials to qualify for the Olympic games in 1992 and 1996.
Throughout his career, anytime Todd Williams had a disappointment, he responded by setting higher goals, and working harder, and asking his coach what he could do to improve, and following though on the demands of his Coach, starting with a 500 Miles Summer, and then another 500 Miles in the Winter after his State Cross Country meet. His desire, determination, work ethic, training levels, and goals became stronger after each race. He went from running 500 Miles a summer to running 750 Miles a summer to running 1,000 Miles a summer.
Todd Williams mental and physical approach to the sport led him on a path from getting beat Freshman year to becoming a State High School Cross Country Champion (Michigan), two-time USA Cross Country Champion, USA Indoor Champion (3000m), four-time USA Outdoor Champion (10,000m), an American Record for the 15K (42:22), and to the Olympic Games in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics in the 10,000 meter run. Todd Williams 5000m PR (3.1 Miles) is 13:19!
Northside College Prep is the only high school in Illinois to have had Olympians Billy Mills and Todd Williams as guest speakers at Team Pasta Partys the last three years. A special thanks to Todd Williams for traveling all the way from Jacksonville, Florida to share his Olympic experience with the Northside Mustangs.
On Monday, September 15, 2008, Northside College Prep Varsity Cross Country Team will travel to Horner Park on the corner of Montrose and California Ave in Chicago, Illinois for the Gordon Tech Invitational. Buses will leave Northside at 3:25 pm. ALL Northside athletes listed below should wear their uniform to their last class. Thanks.
The Meet will now feature 12 entries in the Varsity division, and will include 15 Teams, among others, IHSA Regional rival Lane Tech.
VARSITY WOMEN (3.0 Miles - 4:30 pm) 1. Ani Zotti Senior 2. Carmen Abelson Senior 3. Anna Parks Senior 4. Bessie Nolan Junior 5. Adaora Achufusi Senior 6. Su Yang Sophomore 7. Karlyn Gehring Sophomore 8. Yesenia Valdez Junior 9. Merita Bushi Junior 10. Maria Zdunek Senior 11. Weonika Zuczek Junior 12. Simmone Seymour Junior
VARSITY MEN (3.0 Miles - 5:00 pm) 1. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss Junior 2. Charlie Mesimore Sophomore 3. Wesley Laytham Sophomore 4. Cooper Eben Junior 5. Jonathan Kittaka Senior 6. Taylor Kuehn Freshman 7. Craig Melhuse Senior 8. Simon Vecchioni Senior 9. Jiasong Yang Junior 10. Spencer Rosenfeld Senior 11. Forrest Cortes Junior 12. Dominic Sieminski Sophomore
Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys, Northside Sophomore Freshman Girls, and Northside Junior Varsity athletes will have practice on Monday and will meet with Seniors Ted Kalaw, Rafael Confino, and Junior Andrew Czyszczon at 3:45 pm in front of the main entrance of the Gym. Northside Junior Varsity and Sophomore-Freshman Teams will race in the Mather Invitational on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, and will meet at the race course on Tuesday at 3:30 pm. Medals will be awarded to the Top 10 Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman.
Friendly reminder, ALL Sophomores and/or Juniors taking the PSAT Exam, need to contact your guidance counselor immediately and schedule for the Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Exam, instead of the Saturday, October 18, 2008 Exam because of City Championships. All members of the Northside Cross Country Team will be competing in the City Championships. Thanks.
On Monday, September 15, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men traveled to Horner Park on the corner of Montrose and California Ave. in Chicago, Illinois for the Gordon Tech Invitational. The Gordon Tech Invitational provided 12 entires in the Varsity division, and featured 13 Teams, including Fenton, Northside College Prep, St. Ignatius, Lane Tech, Crete Monee, Northridge Prep, Mt. Carmel, Lakeview, St. Gregory, Rauner College Prep, Cristo Rey, Luther South, and host Gordon Tech.
The Northside College Prep Mustangs finished second overall with 44 points, and came within 4 points of beating the undefeated Lane Tech Indians (22-0). It was Northside College Prep highest finish at the Gordon Tech Invitational in the history of the program. The Mustangs were honored with a second place plaque in a ceremony that followed the conclusion of the meet. Fenton finished in third with 61 points.
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, Assistant Coach Chad Ware, and Lane Tech Head Coach Kris Roof were not present for the awards ceremony due to a mandatory CPS Cross Country coaches meeting at Whitney Young High School. A special thanks to Lane Tech Coach Kris Roof for providing the Mustangs coaching staff with transportation to the CPS Cross Country coaches meeting.
Fenton Senior Nathan Smith won individual honors with an outstanding time of 16:04. Lane Tech Junior Haji Kulayifi finished in second place with an outstanding time of 16:09. Fenton Senior Justin Smith finished in third place with an outstanding time of 16:21. Lane Tech Junior Victor Terrazas finished in fourth place with an outstanding time of 16:26.
The Northside College Prep Mustangs had a dramatic improvement from last year on the SAME course.
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 30 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish fifth overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 16:28! Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:22, and then ran the second mile in 5:31 (10:53), and then ran the final mile in 5:35 for an outstanding time of 16:28. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was awarded a plaque for finishing fifth overall!!
Lane Tech Senior Fernando Arroyo finished in sixth place with an outstanding time of 16:40.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore dropped 45 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish seventh overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 16:43! Charlie Mesimore was also the fastest Sophomore in the meet! Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:24, and then ran the second mile in 5:33 (10:57), and then ran the final mile in 5:46 for an outstanding time of 16:43. Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal for finishing seventh overall!!
St. Ignatius Sophomore Jack Cross finished in eighth place with an outstanding time of 16:51.
Northside Junior Cooper Eben dropped 31 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finished eighth overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 16:56! Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:24, and then ran the second mile in 5:47 (11:11), and then was running toe to toe with Lane Tech Senior Luis Rodriguez. Luis Rodriguez ran a 2:01 800m last Track season, and Rodriguez had already beaten CPS Two Mile Champion Jose Mora a week ago with a 10:11 at the Ranger Classic. Northside Junior Cooper Eben showed great determination and guts by running the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 5:45 for an outstanding time of 16:56. Cooper Eben outkicked Luis Rodriguez (10th overall, 17:00) to place ninth overall! Cooper Eben was awarded a Medal for finishing ninth overall!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham dropped 30 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish eleventh overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 17:18! Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:23, and then ran the second mile in 5:59 (11:22), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 5:56 for an outstanding time of 17:18. Wesley Laytham was awarded a Medal for finishing eleventh overall!
Northside Captain Jonathan Kittaka came within 11 seconds of his time from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish twelfth overall in 2008 and fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with an outstanding time of 17:21! Senior Jonathan Kittaka also dropped 17 seconds from his three mile split at the rebel invitational! Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:29, and then ran the second mile in 5:58 (11:23), and then ran an EVEN SPLIT on the final mile with a 5:58 for an outstanding time of 17:21. Jonathan Kittaka was awarded a Medal for finishing twelfth overall!
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni finished sixth for the Mustangs and 25th overall with an outstanding time of 18:19. Senior Simon Vecchioni also dropped 36 seconds from his three mile split at the Rebel Invitational! Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:42, and then ran the second mile in 6:19 (12:01), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:18 for an outstanding time of 18:19.
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished seventh for the Mustangs and 26th overall with an outstanding time of 18:20. Junior Jiasong Yang also dropped 40 seconds from his three mile split at the Rebel Invitational! Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:49, and then ran the second mile in 6:13 (12:02), and then ran the final mile in 6:18 for an outstanding time of 18:20.
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished eighth for the Mustangs and 27th overall with an outstanding time of 18:20.5. Taylor Kuehn was the second fastest Freshman in the meet! Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:53, and then ran the second mile in 6:12 (12:05), and then ran the final mile in 6:15.5 for an outstanding time of 18:20.5.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished ninth for the Mustangs and 28th overall with an outstanding time of 18:27. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:56, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (12:13), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:14 for an outstanding time of 18:27.
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld finished tenth for the Mustangs and 36th overall with a personal best time of 19:02. Spencer Rosenfeld also dropped six seconds from his three mile split at the Rebel Invitational. Spencer Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:57, and then ran the second mile in 6:30 (12:27), and then ran the final mile in 6:35 for a personal best time of 19:02. Spencer Rosenfeld will be awarded a Mustangs gym bag and warm-ups for a Northside Top 10 time!
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished eleventh for the Mustangs and 38th overall with an outstanding time of 19:04. Dominic Sieminski also dropped 11 seconds from his three mile split at the Rebel Invitational. Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 6:12, and then ran the second mile in 6:36 (12:48), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:16 for an outstanding time of 19:04.
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes finished twelfth for the Mustangs and 48th overall with an outstanding time of 19:35. Forrest Cortes ran the first mile in 6:17, and then ran the second mile in 6:45 (13:02), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 6:33 for an outstanding time of 19:35.
The Northside College Prep Mustangs will travel to Libertyville, Illinois on Saturday, September 20, 2008 for the Libertyville Invitational to take on State ranked Teams, including #11 Prospect, #14 Cary-Grove, and #21 Hoffman Estates.
The Northside College Prep Mustangs finished second overall with 40 points, and came within 11 points of beating the Lane Tech. The Mustangs were honored with a second place plaque in a ceremony that followed the conclusion of the meet. Crete Monee High School finished in third with 74 points.
Northside Captain Ani Zotti dropped 41 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish fourth overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 20:54! Senior Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:24, and then ran the second mile in 7:33 (13:30), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 7:27 for an outstanding time of 20:54. Ani Zotti was awarded a plaque for finishing fourth overall!!
Lane Tech Senior Jennie Wojtas finished in fifth place with an outstanding time of 21:01.
Northside Captain Anna Parks dropped one minute and 34 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish second for the Mustangs and sixth place overall in 2008 with an outstanding time 21:06! Senior Anna Parks ran the first mile in 6:40, and then ran the second mile in 7:16 (13:56), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 7:10 for an outstanding time of 21:06. Anna Parks was awarded a medal for placing sixth overall!
Northside Captain Carmen Abelson dropped 34 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish third for the Mustangs and seventh overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 21:09! Senior Carmen Abelson ran the first mile in 6:40, and then ran the second mile in 7:15 (13:55), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 7:14 for an outstanding time of 21:09. Carmen Abelson was awarded a medal for placing seventh overall!
Crete Monee Freshman Rachel Stellfox finished in eighth place with an outstanding time of 21:54. Lane Tech Junior Paola Salazar finished in ninth place with an outstanding time of 21:59. Lane Tech Sophomore Maddy Sopena finished in tenth place with an outstanding time of 22:02.
Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi dropped 39 seconds from the St. Patrick Invitational to finish fourth for the Mustangs and eleventh overall with an outstanding time of 22:03. Adaora Achufusi ran the first mile in 6:58, and then ran the second mile in 7:22 (14:20), and then ran the final mile in 7:43 for an outstanding time of 22:03. Adaora Achufusi was awarded a medal for placing eleventh overall!
Northside Junior Bessie Nolan dropped 6 seconds from the St. Patrick Invitational to finish fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and twelfth overall with an outstanding time of 22:17. Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 7:00, and then ran the second mile in 7:25 (14:25), and then ran the final mile in 7:52 for an outstanding time of 22:17. Bessie Nolan was awarded a medal for placing twelfth overall!
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished sixth for the Mustangs and 17th overall with an outstanding time of 22:53. Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 7:21, and then ran the second mile in 7:43 (15:04), and then ran the final mile in 7:49 for an outstanding time of 22:53. Karlyn Gehring was awarded a ribbon for placing 17th overall!
Northside Sophomore Su Yang dropped 39 seconds from the 2007 Gordon Tech Invitational to finish seventh for the Mustangs and 20th overall in 2008 with an outstanding time of 23:07! Su Yang ran the first mile in 7:08, and then ran the second mile in 8:03 (15:11), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 7:42 for an outstanding time of 23:07. Su Yang was awarded a ribbon for placing 20th overall!
Northside Junior Weronika Zuczek finished eighth for the Mustangs and 27th overall with a personal best time of 24:26. Weronika Zuczek ran the first mile in 7:33, and then ran the second mile in 8:20 (15:53), and then ran the final mile in 8:33 for a personal best time of 24:26. Weronika Zuczek ran a Northside Top 8 Time! and re-earned her warm-ups after having them taken away by not attending the Rebel Invitational.
Northside Junior Simmone Seymour finished ninth for the Mustangs and 28th overall with a personal best time of 26:13. Simmone Seymour ran the first mile in 8:00, and then ran the second mile in 8:58 (16:58), and then ran the final mile in 9:15 for a personal best time of 26:13. Simmone Seymour ran a Northside Top 9 Time!
Northside Junior Marita Bushi finished tenth for the Mustangs and 29th overall with a personal best time of 26:14. Marita Bushi ran the first mile in 8:10, and then ran the second mile in 8:50 (17:00), and then ran the final mile in 9:14 for a personal best time of 26:14. Marita Bushi ran a Northside Top 10 Time!
Northside Junior Yesenia Valdez and Senior Maria Zdunek fell out of the Northside Top 12 Women by not attending the Gordon Tech Invitational.
The Northside Varsity Women will travel to Libertyville, Illinois on Saturday, September 20, 2008 to take on the State ranked Libertyville wildcats.
The Libertyville Invitational is one of the most competitive meets in the state. College coaches from throught the Midwest come to Adler Park to watch the meet because of the depth of the competition. The course challenges every athlete with hills, winding paths, sharp turns, and sudden changes in surface. It is the best cross country course in Illinois. Prior to the meet, only five athletes in Northside history had ever broken 17 minutes on the course.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore lead the Mustangs by outkicking Lake Forest Senior Joe Dilenschneider (16:28.54) and New Trier Junior Mike Pearlman (16:25.29) to the finish, to place 24th overall with a personal best time of 16:24!! It was the fastest time ever run on the Adler Park Cross Country course by a Northside athlete. Charlie Mesimore also passed Northside Alumni Joseph Terdik (2005 IHSA Regionals) and Anderson Adams (2001 IHSA State Championships) on the All time list with the seventh fastest time in Northside history! Charlie Mesimore also dropped 19 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational!
Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:18, and then ran the second mile in 5:39 (10:57), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:27 on the final mile for a PERSONAL RECORD of 16:24. Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal in a ceremony following the Meet for placing 24th overall!
Walter Payton Junior Jose Mora placed 35th overall with an outstanding time of 16:33.20.
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished second for the Mustangs by outkicking Prospect Junior Kenneth Halloran (16:41.37) and Buffalo Grove Freshman Taras Didenko (16:40.01) to the finish, to place 39th overall with a course personal record of 16:39! It was the third fastest time ever run on the Adler Park Cross Country course by a Northside athlete. Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:29, and then ran the second mile in 5:42 (11:11), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:27 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 16:39! Cooper Eben dropped 17 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished third for the Mustangs by outkicking Rolling Meadows Junior Mike Bobowski (17:04.21) and Vernon Hills Senior Max Candocia (17:03.87) to the finish, to place 52nd overall with a course personal record of 16:58! Wesley Laytham dropped 44 seconds from the 2007 Libertyville Invitational to the 2008 Libertyville Invitational! Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:29, and then ran the second mile in 5:53 (11:22), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:32 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 16:58! Wesley Laytham dropped 20 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational!
Northside Captain Jonathan Kittaka finished fourth for the Mustangs by outkicking Loyola Sophomore Andrew Fausone (17:30.98) to the finish, to place 66th overall with a time of 17:28. Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:39, and then ran the second mile in 6:02 (11:41), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:47 on the final mile for a time of 17:28.
The Mustangs fifth fastest time of day came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. After finishing eighth for the Mustangs by only a half a second at the Gordon Tech Invitational, Freshman Taylor Kuehn lost his spot temporarily on the Varsity, and on Saturday, helped the Northside Sophomore-Fresman squad to their best finish ever at the Libertyville Invitational. Taylor Kuehn also re-gained his spot on the Varsity, and in a big way, by running the fifth fastest time of the day by a Northside athlete at the Libertyville Invitational. Taylor Kuehn ran a personal best time of 17:45! Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:50, and then ran the second mile in 5:58 (11:48), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:57 on the final mile for a personal best time of 17:45!! Taylor Kuehn dropped 35 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! It was also the second fastest time ever run by a Northside Freshman on the Adler Park course. Taylor Kuehn was awarded a Medal in a ceremony following the Meet for placing 13th overall. With the addition of Taylor Kuehn to the Varsity and the return of Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss, the Mustangs will be favorites to win the Leyden Eagle Invitational on Saturday, September 27, 2008.
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang ran the sixth fastest time of day, to finish fifth for the Mustangs Varsity to complete the scoring and 83rd overall with a time of 18:26. Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (12:09), and then ran a EVEN SPLIT with a 6:17 on the final mile for a time of 18:26.
The Mustangs seventh fastest time of the day came in the Junior Varsity race. After finishing ninth for the Mustangs at the Gordon Tech Invtiational, Senior Craig Melhuse lost his spot temporarily on the Varsity, and on Saturday, helped the Northside Junior Varsity squad to their best finish ever at the Libertyville Invitational. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 6:10, and then ran the second mile in 6:22 (12:32), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:05 for an outstanding time of 18:37.
The Mustangs eighth fastest time of the day came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. After running an eye-popping set of Mile Repeats on Thursday, Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished second for the Mustangs Sophomore-Freshman Team, and 51st overall with an outstanding time of 18:52. Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:36 (12:42), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:10 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 18:52. Dominic Sieminski earned warm-ups and a Mustangs Gym bag by running a Northside Top 8 Time!
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni ran the ninth fastest time of the day, to finish sixth for the Mustangs Varsity and 86th overall by outkicking Racine Case Senior Luis Altamirano (18:56.92) to the finish with a time of 18:56. Simon Vecchioni was the Mustangs final finishier in the Varsity race. Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:49, and then ran the second mile in 6:22 (12:11), and then ran a 6:45 on the final mile for a time of 18:56.
The Mustangs tenth fastest time of the day came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished third for the Mustangs Sophomore-Freshman Team, and 60th overall with a personal best time of 19:07. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 6:15, and then ran the second mile in 6:32 (12:47), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:20 on the final mile for a personal best time of 19:07. Erik Zuehlke ran a Northside Top 12 Time!
The Mustangs eleventh fastest time of the day also came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. Freshman Pat Duffy finished fourth for the Mustangs Sophomore-Freshman Team, and 65th overall with a personal best time of 19:09. Freshman Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:41 (12:47), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:22 on the final mile for a personal best time of 19:09. Pat Duffy ran a Northside Top 12 Time!
The Mustangs twelfth fastest time of the day also came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. After running an eye-popping set of Mile Repeats on Thursday, Sophomore Fahad Sarvari finished fifth for the Mustangs Sophomore-Freshman Team, and 71st overall with a personal best time of 19:18. Sophomore Fahad Sarvari ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:40 (12:46), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:32 on the final mile for a personal best time of 19:18. Fahad Sarvari ran a Northside Top 12 Time!
In the Varsity race, #12 State ranked Prospect, upset #10 State ranked Lake Forest, to win the Meet. #20 State ranked Loyola Academy finished in third place. Unranked Fremd finished in fourth place. #22 State ranked Gary Grove finished in fifth place. Unranked New Trier finished in sixth place. #19 State ranked Hoffman Estates finished in seventh place. A short-handed Northside Team posted impressive WINS over Libertyville, Glenbrook North, Racine Case, Vernon Hills, Saint Viator, Walter Payton, Roberto Clemente, and Maine West to bring the Mustangs season record to 58-14!!!
The Northside Varsity Men will travel to Northlake, Illinois on Saturday, September 27, 2008 for the Leyden Eagle Invitational. The race will be a 5k (3.1 Miles) this year, and the meet will feature among others, IHSA Sectional rivals Leyden and Willowbrook, and suburban rival Glenbrook North. Leyden High school is the largest high school in Illinois, and will be the Mustangs primary competion at IHSA Sectionals.
On Saturday, September 20, 2008, the Northside Sophomore Boys Cross Country Team traveled to Adler Park, in Libertyville, Illinois for the 2008 Libertyville High School Bill Dortch Invitational. The meet featured 18 Teams, including Lake Forest, Prospect, Hoffman Estates, Loyola Academy, Cary Grove, New Trier, Glenbrook North, Buffalo Grove, Fremd, St. Viator, Vernon Hills, Rolling Meadows, Racine Case, Maine West, Northside College Prep, Roberto Clemente, Walter Payton, and host Libertyville.
The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys finished in 7th place with 234 points and posted impressive victories over Fremd (242), State ranked Cary Grove (260), State ranked Lake Forest (264), Racine Case (276), Maine West (296), Glenbrook North (323), Rolling Meadows (373), Buffalo Grove (378), Vernon Hills (383), Walter Payton, and Roberto Clemente.
Freshman Taylor Kuehn lead the Mustangs by running a personal best time of 17:45 to place 13th overall! Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:50, and then ran the second mile in 5:58 (11:48), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 5:57 on the final mile for a personal best time of 17:45!! Taylor Kuehn dropped 35 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! It was also the second fastest time ever run by a Northside Freshman on the Adler Park course. Taylor Kuehn was awarded a Medal in a ceremony following the Meet for placing 13th overall.
Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished second for the Mustangs and 51st overall with an outstanding time of 18:52. Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:36 (12:42), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:10 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 18:52. Dominic Sieminski also earned warm-ups and a Mustangs Gym bag by running a Northside Top 8 Time!
Freshman Pat Duffy finished fourth for the Mustangs and 65th overall with a personal best time of 19:09. Freshman Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:41 (12:47), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:22 on the final mile for a personal best time of 19:09. Pat Duffy also ran a Northside Top 12 Time!
Sophomore Fahad Sarvari finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 71st overall with a personal best time of 19:18. Sophomore Fahad Sarvari ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:40 (12:46), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:32 on the final mile for a personal best time of 19:18. Fahad Sarvari ran a Northside Top 12 Time!
Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished sixth for the Mustangs and 102nd overall with an outstanding time of 20:03. Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:36 (12:42), and then ran the final mile in 7:21 for an outstanding time of 20:03.
Sophomore Alex Luke finished seventh for the Mustangs and 128th overall with a personal best time of 20:55. Alex Luke ran the fist mile in 6:47, and then ran the second mile in 6:53 (13:40), and then ran the final mile in 7:15 for a personal best time of 20:55.
Freshman Chris Ceisel finished eighth for the Mustangs and 134th overall with a personal best time of 21:03. Chris Ceisel ran the first mile in 6:55, and then ran the second mile in 7:20 (14:15), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:48 final mile for a personal best time of 21:03.
Freshman John Ringor finished ninth for the Mustangs and 138th overall with a personal best time of 21:18. John Ringor ran the first mile in 6:55, and then ran the second mile in 7:12 (14:07), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 7:11 final mile for a personal best time of 21:18.
Sophomore Honghe Li finished tenth for the Mustangs and 166th overall with a personal best time of 23:33. Honghe Li ran the first mile in 7:00, and then ran the second mile in 7:35 (14:35), and then ran the final mile in 8:58 for a personal best time of 23:33.
Freshman Honglin Xiao finished eleventh for the Mustangs and 169th overall with a personal best time of 24:27. Honglin Xiao ran the first mile in 7:25, and then ran the second mile in 8:24 (15:49), and the ran the final mile in 8:38 for a personal best time of 24:27. Honglin Xiao was the final finisher for the Northside Sophomore-Freshman Team.
The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team will travel to Northlake, Illinois on Saturday, September 27, 2008 for the Leyden Eagle Invitational.
The Northside Junior Varsity Boys finished in 10th place with 281 points and posted impressive victories over Rolling Meadows (318), Maine West (396), State ranked Lake Forest, Racine Case, Vernon Hills, Saint Viator, Walter Payton, and Roberto Clemente.
Senior Craig Melhuse lead the Mustangs by finishing 34th overall with an outstanding time of 18:37. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 6:10, and then ran the second mile in 6:22 (12:32), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:05 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 18:37.
Junior Forrest Cortes finished second for the Mustangs and 81st overall with an outstanding time of 19:47. Forrest ran the first mile in 6:16, and then ran the second mile in 6:55 (13:11), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:36 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 19:47.
Junior James Rey finished third for the Mustangs and 99th overall with an outstanding time of 20:01. James Rey ran the first mile in 6:20, and then ran the second mile in 6:59 (13:19), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 6:32 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 20:01.
Senior Rafael Confino finished fourth for the Mustangs and 160th overall with an outstanding time of 21:05. Rafael Confino ran the first mile in 6:25, and then ran the second mile in 7:20 (13:45), and then ran a EVEN SPLIT with a 7:20 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:05.
Senior Ted Kalaw finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 182nd overall with an outstanding time of 21:39. Ted Kalaw ran the first mile in 6:58, and then ran the second mile in 7:12 (14:10), and then ran a 7:29 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:39.
Senior Nathan Michaelson finished sixth for the Mustangs and 189th overall with an outstanding time of 21:47.42. Nathan Michaelson ran the first mile in 6:53, and then ran the second mile in 7:21 (14:14), and then ran a 7:33 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:47.42
Senior Coleman Gailloreto finished seventh for the Mustangs and 190th overall with an outstanding time of 21:47.92. Coleman Gailloreto ran the first mile in 7:03, and then ran the second mile in 7:27 (14:30), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 7:17 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:47.92.
Senior Norman Lee finished eighth for the Mustangs and 211th overall with a time of 22:20. Norman Lee ran the first mile in 7:20, and then ran the second mile in 7:24 (14:44), and then ran a 7:36 on the final mile for a time of 22:20.
Junior Andrew Czyszczon finished ninth for the Mustangs and 217th overall with a time of 22:31. Andrew Czyszczon ran the first mile in 6:46, and then ran the second mile in 7:54 (14:40), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT with a 7:51 for a time of 22:31. Andrew Czyszczon was the Mustangs final finisher in the Junior Varsity division.
With the addition of Simon Vecchioni, the Mustangs will have the best Junior Varsity Team in the history of Northside College Prep at the Leyden Eagle Invitational on Saturday, September 27, 2008, and will be big favorites to win it.
The Libertyville Invitational is one of the most competitive meets in the state. College coaches from throught the Midwest come to Adler Park to watch the meet because of the depth of the competition. The course challenges every athlete with hills, winding paths, sharp turns, and sudden changes in surface. It is the best cross country course in Illinois.
Hoffman Estates won the meet with 66 points. Buffalo Grove came in second with 74 points. Prospect came in third with 93 points. Rolling Meadows came in fourth place with 116 points. Libertyville came in fifth place with 123 points.
Loyola edged the Northside Mustangs 319-358 for twelfth place. The Northside Mustangs posted victories over Vernon Hills (377), Resurrection (432) and Walter Payton.
The Northside Mustangs were lead by Ani Zotti. Captain Ani Zotti placed 57th overall with an outstanding time of 20:52. Senior Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:37, and then ran the second mile in 7:10 (13:47), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:05 for an outstanding time of 20:52.
Captain Anna Parks finished second for the Mustangs and 73rd overall with an outstanding time of 21:41. Senior Anna Parks ran the first mile in 7:18, and then ran the second mile in 7:22 (14:40), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:01 for an outstanding time of 21:41.
Captain Carmen Abelson finished third for the Mustangs and 74th overall with an outstanding time of 21:42. Senior Carmen Abelson ran the first mile in 6:46, and then ran the second mile in 7:34 (14:20), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:22 for an outstanding time of 21:42.
Senior Adaora Achufusi finished fourth for the Mustangs and 76th overall with an outstanding time of 21:50. Adaora Achufusi ran the first mile in 6:58, and then ran the second mile in 7:27 (14:25), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:24 for an outstanding time of 21:49.
Junior Bessie Nolan finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 84th overall with an outstanding time of 22:08. Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 7:02, and then ran the second mile in 7:44 (14:46), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:22 for an outstanding time of 22:08.
Sophomore Su Yang finished sixth for the Mustangs and 95th overall with an outstanding time of 23:09. Su Yang ran the first mile in 7:18, and then ran the second mile in 8:00 (15:18), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:51 for an outstanding time of 23:09.
Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished seventh for the Mustangs and 97th overall with an outstanding time of 23:36. Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 7:35, and then ran the second mile in 8:05 (15:40), and then ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT on the final mile with a 7:56 for an outstanding time of 23:36.
Although the Northside Women do not have enough athletes to field a complete Junior Varsity Team or Sophomore-Freshman Team, the Mustangs did have 5 additional athletes compete at the Libertyville Invitational. We do not have splits for the first mile of the Junior Varsity race due to a medical emergency in the Varsity Mens race.
The Mustangs eighth fastest time of the day came in the Junior Varsity race. Junior Yesenia Valadez ran a personal best time of 23:58. Yesenia ran the first two miles in 15:41, and ran the final mile in 8:17 for a personal best time of 23:58.
The Mustangs ninth fastest time of the day came in the Sophomore-Freshman race. Freshman Karly Raeber ran the first mile in 7:56, and then ran the second mile in 8:52 (16:48), and then ran the final mile in 8:53 for a personal best time of 25:41.
The Mustangs tenth fastest time of the day came in the Junior Varsity race. Junior Jessica Tapia ran the first two miles in 17:30, and ran the final mile in 9:12 for an outstanding time of 26:42.
The Mustangs eleventh fastest time of the day came in Sophomore-Freshman race. Freshman Loren Piedrasanta ran the first mile in 9:24, and then ran the second mile in 10:42 (20:06), and then ran the final mile in 11:38 for a personal best time of 31:44.
The Mustangs 12th fastest time of the day came in the Junior Varsity Race. Senior Dashielle Bark-Huss ran the first two miles in 22:20, and then ran the final mile in 13:45 for a time of 36:05.
The Northside Varsity Women will travel to Northlake, Illinois on Saturday, September 27, 2008 for the Leyden Eagle Invitational.
On Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Libertyville Invitational, at the conclusion of the Boys Junior Varsity race, the coaching staffs of 20 Teams lined up for the coaches race, including Lake Forest, Prospect, Hoffman Estates, Loyola Academy, Cary Grove, New Trier, Glenbrook North, Buffalo Grove, Fremd, St. Viator, Vernon Hills, Rolling Meadows, Racine Case, Maine West, Northside College Prep, Roberto Clemente, Walter Payton, Resurrection (Girls), Lake Zurich (Girls) and host Libertyville.
After the coaches lined up in their box assignments for the 2.0 Miles coaches race. An IHSA Official went from box to box on the startling line, and warned coaches that they would be disaqualified for watch violations and uniform violations, and then instructed the field that if anyone went down in the first 200 meters, he would re-fire the gun and we would re-start the race.
Glenbrook North Alumni and former Iowa Track star Mark Roehl traveled all the way from Racine, Wisconsin with his wife and children to race Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon (Glenbrook North Alumni) in the coaches race. The two former teammates never had the opportunity to race each other in college, and the last time they raced each other was in 1990 at IHSA Sectionals in the Mile against future Olympian Robert Gary. However, Mark Roehl was still in the bathroom when the gun went off, so Roehl will have to wait another year to race "Gordo". Since Roehl missed the start of the race, he cheered his former teammate along the course.
Northside Assistant Coach Chad Ware BROKE THE LIBERTYVILLE COACHES RACE COURSE record with a 2.0 Miles time of 10:03. Chad Ware, not only won the coaches race, but after he finished went back, and ran the final mile with Coach Gordon.
Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon finished in second for the Mustangs with a time of over 20 minutes. Northside sprint Coach David Diaz provided Coach Gordon with a water bottle at the Mile mark.
Northside Assistant Coach Jose Nebrida ran the entire course carrying the American flag to honor the victims of 9/11.
The Northside Coaching staff will take on the Coaching staff from Leyden High School, among others, along with the Northside parents, in a Mile Coaches/Parents race at the Leyden Eagle Invitational on Saturday, September 27, 2008.
The CPS Sports Administration announced this morning that the 2008 CPS Cross Country Championships will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Washington Park at 8:00 am, around the perimeter of the lagoon (South of 55th Street). The CPS has not held a Cross Country Championship meet around the perimeter of the lagoon in Washington Park since 1999. Washington Park is also the proposed site for the 2016 Olympics.
The Northside Mustangs cross country parents are organizing a Pasta Dinner on the eve of the City Championships. The dinner will be held at Northside in the cafeteria after team practice on Friday, October 17, 2008. If you can help with dinner contributions, please contact Northside parent Ellen Youniss at ellenyou@earthlink.net The Northside Cross Country Team has consumed over 30 pounds of pasta at previous pasta partys. The Pasta Party is in need of large pasta dishes, lots of bread, several large salads, desserts and beverages (juice and water), and utensils for 75 people. A special thanks to the Northside parents for enhancing the Northside athletes City Championship experience, and for providing them with the proper nutrition to excel at the City Championships.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Northside College Prep Cross Country Team reached a new level of competiveness and a new era in the Northside Cross Country program, by sending two Varsity Mens Teams and two Sophomore-Freshman Boys Teams, to two different locations on the same day, with two different coaching staffs. Although this has been done before by very large schools, it is unheard of for a school with only 1,000+ students to field two competive Varsity Teams on the same day.
On Saturday, Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon, Associate Assistant Coach Chad Ware, the Northside Top 10 Varsity Men, and the Northside Top 6 Sophomore-Freshman Boys traveled to Montrose harbor in Chicago, Illinois for the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Before they left for the meet, a second Northside Varsity Team of seven runners, a Junior Varsity Boys Team, and a second Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team, left with Northside Assistant Coach Jose Nebrida, Northside Sprint Coach David Diaz, and former collegiate cross country runner, Chuck Milbert, for the Leyden Eagle Invitational.
After a Team meeting with the Northside Top 12 Varsity Athletes last Monday, the TEAM decided to race at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in addition to the Leyden Eagle Invitational, after beating the top Leyden Eagle Invitational contender Glenbrook North at the Libertyville Invitational with only six athletes finishing the race. The Loyola Lakefront Invitational would feature 3 of the top 5 Teams in the IHSA Sectional Championships. The Mustangs registered for the Loyola Lakefront Invitational one hour before the deadline for final registration on Monday night, and picked up their race numbers and payed their entry fee on Friday, the day before the meet.
The Mustangs appearance at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational was a well kept secret and was a complete surprise to the opposing Teams. The Mustangs were not even listed in the Meet Program. The Mustangs had not raced at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational since 2006.
The meet featured 24 Teams, including Walter Payton, Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Vincent Massey High School (Canada), Fenwick, Conant, Minooka, Waubonsie Valley, Deerfield, Brother Rice, Dupont Manual, Lindbergh (Canada), Col. Grandview Heights, Glenbard West, Assumption High School (Canada), Shawnee Mission East, Glenwood, Marist, Chicago Hope Academy, Glenbard South, University High, Lincoln Park, Manley, and host Loyola Academy.
The course at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational is a 5k (3.1 Miles). The course goes along Lake Michigan and up Cricket Hill near Montrose. At the top of the hill, spectators could see the runners and the world famous Chicago skyline in the background.
The Northside Mustangs closed the gap between Northside and Lane Tech dramatically from the Gordon Tech Invitational (September 15) to the Loyola Lakefront Invitational (September 27).
At Gordon Tech (September 15), the Indians were able to put 3 runners in the finish before the Mustangs second runner finished, and there was a 16 second gap between Lane Tech's third runner and Northside's third runner. Everything changed for the better at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational.
The Mustangs one-two punch of Sophomore Charlie Mesimore and Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss both finished ahead of Lane Tech's second runner, and Junior Cooper Eben cut the gap to only 8 seconds from Lane Tech's third runner, and also increased his margin over Lane Tech's fourth runner. At the same time, Lane Tech's new fifth runner, Max Silva, former football player, (did not race at Gordon Tech or compete in xc in 2007) continued his dramatic improvement at every meet this season and the Mustangs will need to put five guys in front of him at City Championships, and in the upcoming IHSA State series to reach their season goals.
On Saturday, Haji Kulayifi lead Lane Tech with a 3 mile split of 15:55, and a 5k time of 16:16 to place 11th overall.
The Mustangs were lead by Sophomore Charlie Mesimore with a 3 mile personal record of 16:22, and a 5k personal record of 16:43. It was the fastest time ever run by a Northside athlete on the Loyola Lakefront course. Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:15, and then ran the second mile in 5:25 (10:40, which was a 17 second time drop throuh two miles from Libertyville), and then ran the final mile in 5:42 for a personal best three mile time of 16:22, and then ran the final 0.1 in 21 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 16:43!!
Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss crossed the three mile mark in 16:41, along with Lane Tech's Victor Terrazas and Fernando Arroyo, and then outkicked them to the finish for a personal best 5k time of 16:59. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:16, and then ran the second mile in 5:26 (10:42, which was also a 17 second time drop through two miles from Libertyville), and then ran the final mile in 5:59 for an outstanding three mile time of 16:41, and then ran the final 0.1 in 18 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 16:59!!
Lane Tech Victor Terrazas finished second for the Indians with an outstanding 5k time of 17:00. More importantly, Victor Terrazas and his family both made sacerfices so he could attend the meet and help his teammates. All high school runners can learn what it means to be an athlete and part of a Team from Victor Terrazas experience at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Victor Terrazas's uncle was on military leave on Saturday for one day, and if Victor went to the meet, he would not see him until Christmas. Victor honored his commitment to his teammates, and his uncle supported him by telling him to go to the meet. Victor's dedication to his teammates, and the support of his family had a dramatic impact for Lane Tech.
Lane Tech Fernando Arroyo finished third for the Indians with an outstanding 5k time of 17:02.
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished third for the Mustangs, and was within 8 seconds of Arroyo and six seconds ahead of Lane Tech's Luis Rodriguez (17:16) with personal record 5k time of 17:10! Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:28, and then ran the second mile in 5:33 (11:01), and then ran the third mile in 5:47 (16:48), and then ran the final 0.1 in 22 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 17:10!
Lane Tech Sophomore Max Silva went through three miles in 17:08 and finished fifth for the Indians to complete the scoring with an outstanding 5k time of 17:32.
Northside Senior Jon Kittaka finished fourth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 17:54. Captain Jon Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:40, and then ran the second mile in 5:51 (11:31), and then ran the third mile in 6:00 (17:31), and then ran the final 0.1 in 23 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 17:54. The Mustangs coaching staff is very exicited about Jon Kittaka and feel he will drop a minute by City Championships. Jon Kittaka missed over a month of training during the summer due to an injury, and lost muscular endurance as a result of the time off. Based on recent workouts, his muscular endurance and speed is definitely back, and with five more weeks to train he will be one of the runners that puts the Mustangs over the top in the upcoming IHSA State series.
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with an outstanding 5k time of 17:56. Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:36, and then ran the second mile in 5:54 (11:30), and then ran the third mile in 6:05 (17:35), and then ran the final 0.1 in 21 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 17:56. Wesley Laytham had a difficult training week, because he was unable to practice with his teammates and do the same workouts with them because of school required field trips and chorus practices. With those obligations completed, the Northside coaching staff strongly feels he will also drop a minute by City Championships and put the Mustangs over the top in the upcoming IHSA State series.
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 18:35. Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:01 (11:53), and then ran the third mile in 6:18 (18:11), and then ran the final 0.1 in 24 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 18:35.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished seventh for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 18:45. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:53, and then ran the second mile in 6:10 (12:03), and then ran the third mile in 6:17 (18:20), and then ran the final 0.1 in 25 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 18:45.
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished eighth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 19:01. Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:11 (12:03), and then ran the third mile in 6:32 (18:35), and then ran the final 0.1 in 26 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 19:01.
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished ninth for the Mustangs with and outstanding 5k time of 19:02. Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:11 (12:03), and then ran the third mile in 6:36 (18:39), and then ran the final 0.1 in 23 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 19:02.
The Mustangs tenth fastest time of the day came in the Varsity race at the Leyden Eagle Invitational. Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld ran a personal best 5k time of 19:03. Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:32 and finished with a personal best 5k time of 19:03.
The Mustangs eleventh fastest time of the day came in the Sophomore-Freshman Boys race at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Northside Sophomore Fahad Savari ran a personal best 5k time of 19:19. Fahad Savari ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (12:23), and then ran the third mile in 6:31 for a personal best three mile time of 18:54, and then ran the final 0.1 in 25 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:19.
The Mustangs 12th fastest time of the day came in the Varsity race at the Leyden Eagle Invitational. Northside Junior Forrest Cortes ran a personal best 5k time of 19:21. Cortes ran the first mile in 5:52 and finished with a personal best 5k time of 19:21.
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni ran an outstanding 5k time of 19:32 at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Northside Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:16 (12:08), and was having a great race until the third mile. Simon Vecchioni ran the third mile in 6:59 (19:07), and then ran the final 0.1 in 25 seconds for a 5k time of 19:32.
Canada's Vincent Massey High School won the meet with 84 points. The Northside Mustangs finished in 11th place at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational, and posted victories over Walter Payton, Lindbergh (Canada), Col. Granview Heights, Glenbard West, Assumption High School (Canada), Shawnee Mission East, Glenwood, Marist, Chicago Hope Academy, Glenbard South, University High, Lincoln Park, and Manley. The Varsity Men's record is now 71-24!!!
The Northside Mustangs showed dramatic improvement at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational and will have three more weeks to prepare for the City Championships, and five more weeks to prepare for the IHSA Sectional Championships. The Mustangs will be seeking their first Varsity City Title, and first appearance as a TEAM in the State Championships in any sport in the history of Northside.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys traveled to Montrose Harbor for the 36th Annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational. The Sophomore-Freshman division featured athletes from 15 schools, including, Glenbard South, Minooka, Northside College Prep, Brother Rice, Glenbard West, Marist, Conant, Fenwick, Deerfield, Lane Tech, Lindbergh (Canada), Walter Payton, Chicago Hope Academy, University High, and host Loyola Academy.
The Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys finished 10th overall and upset Lane Tech 237-262.
The Northside Mustangs were lead by Sophomore Fahad Savari. Fahad Savari ran a personal best 5k time of 19:19. Fahad Savari ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (12:23), and then ran the third mile in 6:31 for a personal best time of 18:54. Savari ran the final 0.1 of a mile in 25 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:19.
Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished second for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 19:36. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 6:15, and then ran the second mile in 6:19 (12:39), and then ran the third mile in 6:36 (19:15), and then ran the final 0.1 in 21 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 19:36.
Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished third for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 19:36.50. Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 5:58, and then ran the second mile in 6:25 (12:23), and then ran the third mile in 6:49 (19:12). Gaytan dropped 51 seconds from the Libertyville Invitational (20:03). Luis Gaytan ran the final 0.1 in 24 seconds for a personal best 5k time of 19:36.50.
Freshman Pat Duffy finished fourth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 20:02. Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 6:08, and then ran the second mile in 6:34 (12:42), and then ran the third mile in 6:56 (19:38), and then ran the final 0.1 in 24 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 20:02.
Sophomore Noel Lopez finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with an outstanding 5k time of 20:13. Noel Lopez ran the first mile in 6:16, and then ran the second mile in 6:28 (12:44), and then ran the third mile in 7:03 (19:47), and then ran the final 0.1 in 26 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 20:13.
Sophomore Alex Luke finished sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 20:48. Alex Luke ran the first mile in 6:34, and then ran the second mile in 6:49 (13:23), and then ran third mile in 7:03 (20:26). Alex Luke dropped 29 seconds from the Libertyville Invitational (20:55). Alex Luke ran the final 0.1 in 22 seconds for an outstanding 5k time of 20:48.
The Sophomore Boys and Freshman Boys will travel to Niles West High School on Saturday, October 4, 2008 for the Pat Savage Invitational. The race distance for Freshman Boys will be 2.0 Miles. The race distance for Sophomore Boys will be 3.0 Miles. The Pat Savage Invitational will be the Mustangs final meet before the City Championships.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, Northside's second Varsity Mens Team traveled to Northlake, Illinois for the Leyden Eagle Invitational. A special thanks to Northside assistants Jose Nebrida, David Diaz, and Chuck Milbert for all of their help with the meet.
The meet featured 11 Teams, including: Addison Trail, Elmwood Park, Glenbrook North, Guerin Prep, Northside College Prep, Morton, Nazareth, Proviso West, St.Joseph, Willowbrook, and host Leyden High School. The race distance was 3.1 Miles. Two Mile splits were not provided for this race. Leyden High School won the 2008 Leyden Eagle Invitational. Willowbrook finished in second place. Glenbrook North finished in third place.
Although the Mustangs "A" Team was not at the meet, the guys that ran in their place showed a lot of heart, guts, and determination by finishing 7th overall against the top Varsity squads from the Western Suburban Conference and the Central Suburban Conference.
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld lead the Mustangs with a 5k personal best time of 19:03. Spencer Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:32, and finished with a personal best 5k time of 19:03. Spencer Rosenfeld ran a Northside top 12 time!
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes finished second for the Mustangs with a 5k personal best time of 19:21. Forrest Cortes ran the first mile in 5:53, and finished with a personal best 5k time of 19:21. Forrest Cortes ran a Northside top 12 time!
Northside Junior James Rey finished third for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 20:20. James Rey ran the first mile in 6:00, and finished with an outstanding 5k time of 20:20.
Northside Senior Coleman Gailloreto finished fourth for the Mustangs with a personal best 5k time of 21:14. Coleman Gailloreto ran the first mile in 6:12, and finished with an outstanding 5k time of 21:14.
Northside Senior Rafael Confino finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with a personal best 5k time of 21:18. Rafael Confino ran the first mile in 6:06, and finished with an outstanding 5k time of 21:18.
Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon finished sixth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 22:05. Andrew Czyszczon ran the first mile in 6:24, and finished with an outstanding 5k time of 22:05.
Northside Senior Ted Kalaw finished seventh for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 22:36. Ted Kalaw ran the first mile in 6:32, and finished with an outstanding time 5k time of 22:36.
The Northside Junior Varsity will have three weeks to prepare for the Junior Varsity City Championships, on October 18, 2008 at Washington Park.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Northside Varsity Womens Team traveled to Northlake, Illinois for the Leyden Eagle Invitational.
Prior to the meet, Northside promoted Junior Yesenia Valadez and Freshman Karly Raeber to the Varsity to take the place of Seniors Adaora Achufusi (College Visit), and Carmen Abelson (resting for the Pat Savage Invitational).
The meet featured 11 schools, including Addison Trail, Elmwood Park, Glenbrook North, Guerin Prep, Morton, Nazareth, Proviso West, St.Joseph, Willowbrook, Northside College Prep, and host Leyden High School. The race distance was 3.1 Miles. The meet featured the Top Teams in the Western Suburban Conference and Central Suburban Conference. A short-handed Mustangs Team finished in 5th overall!!!
Northside Captain Ani Zotti lead the Mustangs by placing 18th overall with an outstanding 5k time of 21:49. Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:29, and then ran the second mile in 7:08 (13:37), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 8:12 for an outstanding 5k time of 21:49. Senior Ani Zotti was awarded a Medal for placing 18th overall!
Northside Captain Anna Parks finished second for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 22:47. Senior Anna Parks ran the first mile in 6:49, and then ran the second mile in 7:33 (14:22), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 8:25 for an outstanding 5k time of 22:47. Although Anna Parks ran well, she runs much better when Carmen Abelson is in the same race with her. Abelson will be back to help her teammates at the Niles West Pat Savage Invitational.
Northside Sophomore Su Yang finished third for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 23:14. Sophomore Su Yang ran the first mile in 6:56, and then ran the second mile in 7:40 (14:36), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 8:38 for an outstanding 5k time of 23:14.
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished fourth for the Mustangs with an outstanding 5k time of 23:48. Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 7:01, and then ran the second mile in 7:54 (14:55), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 8:53 for an outstanding 5k time of 23:48.
Northside Junior Bessie Nolan finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with an outstanding 5k time of 23:49. Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 7:01, and then ran the second mile in 7:54 (14:55), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 8:54 for an outstanding 5k time of 23:49.
Northside Junior Yesenia Valadez ran a very impressive race. A 5k is 0.1 miles longer than a three mile race. At Libertyville, Yesenia Valadez ran a three miles race in a time of 23:58. A week later, Yesenia Valadez ran a 5k time of 23:59!!!, which 0.1 miles longer, to finish sixth for the Mustangs. It was one of the most impressive time drops on the Team. Yesenia Valadez ran the first mile in 7:01, and then ran the second mile in 7:54 (14:55), and then ran the final 1.1 9:04 for a personal best 5k time of 23:59.
Northside Freshman Karly Raeber ran a time of 27:38 to finish seventh for the Mustangs. Raeber ran the first mile in 8:01, and then ran the second mile in 9:01 (17:02), and then ran the final 1.1 miles in 10:36 for a time of 27:38. Karly Raeber ran outstanding at Libertyville, and just had a bad day at Leyden. The best is yet to come.
The Northside Varsity Women will travel to Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois for the Pat Savage Invitational on Saturday, September 27, 2008. The Pat Savage Invitational features the IHSA Sectional course, and quality competition. With the additions of Achufusi and Abelson, it will be a big day for the Northside Women.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, a second Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team traveled to Northlake, Illinois for the Leyden Eagle Invitational, while the Mustangs first Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys Team competed at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational. The second Northside Sophomore-Freshman Boys ran outstanding and placed fifth overall at the Leyden Eagle Invitational. The meet featured 11 Teams, and the race distance was 5k (3.1 miles). Two mile splits were not provided.
The Mustangs were lead by Sophomore Richard Morales, who placed 21st overall with a 5k personal record of 20:52. Richard Morales ran the first mile in 6:13, and finished with a 5k personal record of 20:52 to place 21st overall, and just missed a Medal by one place.
Sophomore Honghe Li finished second for the Mustangs with a 5k personal record of 23:04. Honghe Li ran the first mile in 6:37, and finished with a 5k personal record of 23:04.
Freshman Honglin Xiao finished third for the Mustangs with a 5k personal record of 24:44. Honglin Xiao ran the first mile in 6:47, and finsihed with a 5k personal record of 24:44.
Sophomore Damian Azubuike finished fourth for the Mustangs with a 5k personal record of 27:15. Damian Azubuike ran the first mile in 7:37, and finsihed with a 5k personal record of 27:15.
Freshman Matt Sugai finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with a 5k personal record of 27:16. Matt Sugai ran the first mile in 7:38, and finished with a 5k personal record of 27:16.
Freshman Luis Mesa finished sixth for the Mustangs with a 5k personal record of 27:58. Luis Mesa ran the first mile in 7:39, and finished with a 5k personal record of 27:58.
The Northside Sophomore Boys and Freshman Boys will travel to Niles West High School on Saturday, October 4, 2008 for the 38th annual Niles West Pat Savage Invitational. The meet is named after former Niles West and current Depaul Head Coach Pat Savage, and it is one of the largest meets in Illinois.
(Coming soon: JV Boys and JV Girls Results from Leyden Eagle Invitational, and coaches/parents race)
Northside College Prep entered 23 Men and 12 Women in the Varsity Division, in addition to a Junior Varsity Team, Sophomore Team, and Freshman Team for the 38th Annual Niles West Pat Savage Invitational. The meet allows unlimited entries in all divisions this year, and the Mustangs have taken advantage of it.
The Pat Savage Invitational features the IHSA Sectional race course, and is one of the largest meets in Illinois. The meet was named after former Niles West Coach and current DePaul University Head Coach Pat Savage.
The Northside Mustangs will be taking two buses to 5701 West Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois for the Niles West Invitational on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Buses will leave Northside campus at 7:30 am.
ORDER OF EVENTS
9:30 am Freshman Boys Two Mile
9:55 am Sophomore-Freshman Girls Two Mile
10:20 am Varsity Men Three Miles
10:50 am Varsity Women Three Miles
11:20 am Sophomore Boys Three Miles
11:50 am Junior Varsity Girls Two Miles
12:30 pm Awards Assembly in the Indoor Track/Fieldhouse.
Friendly reminder, All Northside athletes need to follow the white line into the white finish chute. Athletes will be disqualified that go through the red finish chute.
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men traveled to Skokie, Illinois for the 38th Annual Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West High School.
The meet featured the IHSA Sectional race course, and 23 outstanding teams, including state ranked Prospect, Niles West, Oak Park-River Forest, Northside College Prep, St. Ignatius, Woodstock, New Prairie, Willowbrook, St. Laurence, St. Patrick, Stevenson, Marist, St. Viator, Round Lake, Northridge Prep, Notre Dame, Zion Benton, Wauconda, Steinmetz, Oak Lawn, Peorida Manual, Taft, and Wheeling.
After an intense training week which included running Hills in Evanston, and eye-poping mile repeats on a crowded track, the Mustangs responded with their best meet of the season. In 2007 the Northside Mustangs finished in third place at the Pat Savage Invitational. In 2008, Northside WON the meet for the first time in school history!!! Five Northside athletes finished in the top 25, all earning plaques!!!
The Northside Mustangs (93-24) WON the 2008 Pat Savage Invitational with 70 points, and posted victories over Niles West (90 points), St. Ignatius (101 points), Woodstock (101 Points), Willowbrook (130 points), New Prairie (133 points), St. Laurence (192 points), St. Patrick (263 points), Stevenson (266 points), St. Viator (320 points), Marist (325 points), Round Lake (330 points), Northridge (342 points), Prospect (356 points), Notre Dame (403 points), Zion Benton (423 points), Oak Park-River Forest (423 points), Wauconda (482 points), Steinmetz (507 points), Wheeling (530 points), Peorida Manual (608 points), Taft (654 points), and Oak Lawn.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore WON the 2008 Pat Savage Invitational with a personal best time of 15:37! It was the second fastest time ever run by a Northside athlete, and Mesimore is now within 23 seconds of the school record! It was also the second fastest time run in the CPS this year. Charlie Mesimore's time was also faster than 3 of the athletes that qualified as individuals for State last year on the same course at IHSA Sectionals. Sophomore Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:05, and then ran the second mile in 5:20 (10:25), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:12 on the final mile for a personal best time of 15:37!!! Charlie Mesimore dropped one minute and 10 seconds from the 2007 Pat Savage Invitational! At an Awards ceremony after the meet, Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Plaque for finishing 1st overall!
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss finished second for the Mustangs and 11th overall with an outstanding time of 16:16. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss showed tremendous amount of guts and determination at the Pat Savage Invitational. Cuitlahuac was spiked in the first 100m of the race, and stayed in the meet for his teammates, and ran three miles with blood coming down his leg. He ran so well that no one was aware of his injury until notified the coaching staff upon finishing the race. The Niles West Medical staff gave him immediate medical attention, and Northside is hopeful he will be able to resume practices on Monday. Junior Cutlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:15, and then ran the second mile in 5:36 (10:51), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:25 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 16:16. At an Awards ceremony after the meet, Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was awarded a Plaque for finishing 11th overall!
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished third for the Mustangs and 15th overall with an outstanding time of 16:25. Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:28, and then ran the second mile in 5:33 (11:01), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:24 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 16:25. Cooper Eben dropped 18 seconds from the 2007 Pat Savage Invitational! At an Awards ceremony after the meet, Cooper Eben was awarded a Plaque for finishing 15th overall!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished fourth for the Mustangs and 18th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 16:32! Wesley Laytham ran the 11th fastest time in the history of Northside! Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:28, and then ran the second mile in 5:40 (11:08), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:24 on the final mile for a personal best time of 16:32. Wesley Laytham dropped 35 seconds from the 2007 Pat Savage Invitational! At an Awards ceremony after the meet, Wesley Laytham was awarded a Plaque for finishing 18th overall!
Northside Captain Jonathan Kittaka finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 25th overall with an outstanding time of 16:49. Senior Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:35, and then ran the second mile in 5:44 (11:19), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:30 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 16:49. Jonathan Kittaka dropped 41 seconds from the Loyola Lakefront Invitational!! At an Awards ceremony after the meet, Jonathan Kittaka was awarded a Plaque for finishing 25th overall!
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished sixth for the Mustangs and 58th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:39. Taylor Kuehn ran the 16th fastest time in the history of Northisde! Taylor Kuen ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:01 (11:52), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:47 on the final mile for a personal best time of 17:39.
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished seventh for the Mustangs and 65th overall with an outstanding time of 17:55. Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:02 (11:53), and then ran a EVEN split of 6:02 for an outstanding time of 17:55.
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished eighth for the Mustangs and 70th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 18:02. Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 5:58, and then ran the second mile in 6:10 (12:08), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:54 for a personal best time of 18:02.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished ninth for the Mustangs and 77th overall with an outstanding time of 18:09. Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:15 (12:06), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:03 for an outstanding time of 18:09.
The tenth fastest Northside time of the day came in the Sophomore race. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 18:10.0 to place 27th overall in the Sophomore race. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:13 (12:04), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:06 for a personal best time of 18:10.0. Zuehlke earned warm-ups and a Gym bag by running a Northside top 12 time!
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld ran the 11th fastest Northside time, and placed 78th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 18:10.40. Spencer Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:12 (12:03), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:07 for a personal best time of 18:10.40.
Northside Sophomore Fahad Savari ran the 12th fastest Northside time, and placed 83rd overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 18:12. Fahad Savari ran the first mile in 6:00, and then ran the second mile in 6:14 (12:14), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:58 for a personal best time of 18:12.
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni ran the 13th fastest Northside time, and placed 91st overall with an outstanding time of 18:28. Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:16 (12:07), and then ran the final mile in 6:21 for an outstanding time of 18:28.
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes ran the 14th fastest Northside time, and placed 92nd overall with an outstanding time of 18:33. Forrest Cortes dropped 29 seconds from 2007 Pat Savage Invitational. Forrest Cortes ran the first mile in 6:00, and then ran the second mile in 6:30 (12:30), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:03 for an outstanding time of 18:33.
Northside Junior James Rey finished next for the Mustangs, and placed 127th overall with an outstanding time of 19:33. James Rey ran the first mile in 6:15, and then ran the second mile in 6:40 (12:55), and the ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:38 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 19:33.
Other Northside finishers in the Varsity race included: Coleman Gailloreto (141st, 20:01), Norman Lee (146th, 20:13), Andrew Czyszczon (160th, 21:00), Sam Olver (171st, 22:37), Neibu Tadele (172nd, 22:41), and Neal Capapas (176th, 22:50).
The Northside Mustangs showed dramatic improvement at the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational and will have two more weeks to prepare for the City Championships, and four more weeks to prepare for the IHSA Sectional Championships. The Mustangs will be seeking their first Varsity City Title, and first appearance as a TEAM in the State Championships in any sport in the history of Northside.
WIN = What's Important Now?
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Women traveled to Skokie, Illinois for the 38th Annual Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West High School. The Mustangs had 10 athletes in the meet.
The meet featured the IHSA Sectional race course, and 18 outstanding teams, including Willowbrook, Woodstock, Taft, Simeon, New Prairie, Northside College Prep, St. Ignatius, St. Viator, Oak Forest, Round Lake, Zion Benton, Queen of Peace, Wauconda, Stevenson Peoria Manual, Steinmetz, Oak Lawn, Simeon, and host Niles West.
The Northside Mustangs finished in 8th place, and improved their season record to 52-40.
Northside Captain Ani Zotti lead the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 20:04 to finish 16th overall. Senior Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:23, and then ran the second mile in 6:53 (13:16), and then ran the third mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:48 for an outstanding time of 20:04. At a ceremony following the Meet, Ani Zotti was awarded a Plaque for placing 16th overall.
Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi had a very odd finish. Achufusi ran the first mile in 6:33, and then ran the second mile in 7:10 (13:43), and was on pace to break twenty-one minutes for the first time in her life, and was only a single stride from the finish chute, and could have broken twenty-one minutes for three miles. However, Adaora Achufusi went around the finish chute instead, and never finished the race. It cost the Mustangs several places in the standings. She doesn't know why she did that, it just happened, but its better that it happened at Niles West, rather than the upcoming IHSA State series. More importantly, Achufusi knows now that she can break 21 minutes. The Mustangs are already looking forward to her next race at the CPS Championships.
Northside Junior Bessie Nolan in her final race of the season finished second for the Mustangs and 38th overall with an outstanding time of 21:15. Nolan had a great season, but for the second year in a row her family will not allow her to run in the CPS Championship meet. Bessie Nolan ran the first mile in 6:38, and then ran the second mile in 7:28 (14:06), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 7:09 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:15.
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring had her best training week of the season going into the Pat Savage Invitational, and as a result, she ran her best race of the season. Karlyn Gehring finished third for the Mustangs and 60th overall with an outstanding time of 21:58. Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 6:58, and then ran the second mile in 7:34 (14:32), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 7:26 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 21:58.
Northside Sophomore Su Yang finished fourth for the Mustangs and 68th overall with an outstanding time of 22:33. Su Yang ran the first mile in 7:00, and then ran the second mile in 7:58 (14:58), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 7:35 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 22:33.
Northside Junior Merita Bushi finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 82nd overall with an outstanding time of 24:23. Merita Bushi ran the first mile in 7:30, and then ran the second mile in 8:28 (15:58), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 8:25 for an outstanding time of 24:23.
Northside Junior Maham Haider finished sixth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 25:12. Maham Haider ran the first mile in 7:48, and then ran the second mile in 8:54 (16:42), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 8:30 for an outstanding time of 25:12.
Northside Junior Jessica Tapia finished seventh for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 25:31. Jessica Tapia ran the first mile in 7:38, and then ran the second mile in 8:27 (16:35), and then ran a 8:56 on the final mile for an outstanding time of 25:31.
In the Junior Varsity race, Northside Senior Dashielle Bark-Huss ran a time of 18:11.
In the Sophomore-Freshman race, Northside Freshman Loren Piedrasanta ran a time of 18:17.
The Northside Varsity and Junior Varsity Women will travel to Washington Park on October 18, 2008 for the CPS Championships.
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the Northside Sophomore Boys traveled to Skokie, Illinois for the 38th Annual Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West High School.
The Northside Mustangs edged Zion Benton by one point, 265-266 to finish in 10th place overall.
The Mustangs were led by Sophomore Erik Zuehlke with an outstanding time of 18:10.0 to place 27th overall. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:13 (12:04), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 6:06 for a personal best time of 18:10.0. Erik Zuehlke ran a Northside Top 12 time!
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished second for the Mustangs and 38th overall with a personal best time of 18:34. Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 5:51, and then ran the second mile in 6:20 (12:11), and then ran the third mile in 6:23 for a personal best time of 18:34.
Northside Sophomore Noel Lopez finished third for the Mustangs and 52nd overall with an outstanding time of 19:05. Noel Lopez ran the first mile in 6:04, and then ran the second mile in 6:34 (12:38), and then ran the third mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 6:27 for an outstanding time of 19:05.
Northside Sophomore Alex Luke finished fourth for the Mustangs and 62nd overall with a personal best time of 19:27. Alex Luke ran the first mile in 6:09, and then ran the second mile in 6:42 (12:51), and then ran the third mile in a NEGATIVE SPLIT of 6:36 for a personal best time of 19:27.
Northside Sophomore Alfredo Alamarez finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 86th overall with a time of 25:59. Alfredo Alamarez ran the first mile in 8:20, and finished with a three mile time of 25:59.
The Northside Sophomore Boys will travel to Washington Park for the City Championships on October 18, 2008.
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the Northside Freshman Boys traveled to Skokie, Illinois for the 38th annual Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West High School. Plaques were awarded to the Top 25 Athletes in each race.
The Northside Freshman finished in 7th place overall!
The Mustangs were lead by Freshman Pat Duffy. Pat Duffy earned a Plaque by placing 19th overall with an outstanding time of 12:03. Pat Duffy ran the first mile in 5:52, and then ran the second mile in 6:11 for an outstanding time of 12:03.
Freshman John Ringor finished second for the Mustangs and 27th overall with an outstanding time of 12:20. John Ringor ran the first mile in 5:54, and then ran the second mile in 6:26 for an outstanding time of 12:20.
Freshman Chris Ceisel finished third for the Mustangs and 38th overall with an outstanding time of 13:11. Chris Ceisel ran the first mile in 6:10, and then ran the second mile in 7:01 for an outstanding time of 13:11.
Freshman Honglin Xiao finished fourth for the Mustangs and 59th overall with an outstanding time of 14:20. Honglin Xiao ran the first mile in 6:50, and then ran the second mile in 7:30 for an outstanding time of 14:20.
Freshman Matt Sugai finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 76th overall with an outstanding time of 15:07. Matt Sugai ran the first mile in 7:33, and then ran the second mile in 7:34 for an outstanding time of 15:07.
Freshman Luis Mesa finished sixth for the Mustangs and 81st overall with a time of 16:51. Luis Mesa ran the first mile in 8:09, and then ran the second mile in 8:42 for a time of 16:51.
Freshman Edgar Ortega finished seventh for the Mustangs and 82nd overall with a time of 17:01. Edgar Ortega ran the first mile in 8:16, and then ran the second mile 8:45 for a time of 17:01.
The Northside Freshman will travel to Washington Park for the City Championships on October 18, 2008.
The Chicago Public League is the largest high school conference in the World. There are over 70 high schools in the Chicago Public League. In preparation for the 2008 CPS Championships, Coaching staffs and Teams from throughout the CPS traveled to Washington Park last Saturday to examine every inch of the Championship race course.
Washington Park is also being considered as the future site for the 2016 Olympics. The starting line features a chicago landmark fountain sculpture, completed in 1922, called "The race for time". The course features mostly grass terrian with patches of gravel, and concrete.
On Friday, October 17, 2008, the Northside Cross Country Booster club will host a Team Pasta Party after practice in the Northside Cafeteria to provide the Northside Mustangs with proper nutrition the night before the 2008 Chicago Public League Cross Country Championships.
The 2008 Chicago Public League Championships will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2008. The meet is being sponsored by Universal Sole. Northside College Prep will be taking two buses to the meet. The Northside Freshman Team, and Sophomore Team will leave from Northside College Prep for the Meet at 6:30 am. The Northside College Prep Junior Varsity Teams, and Varsity Teams will leave from Northside College Prep for the Meet at 7:30 am. Parents dropping off athletes in the morning, should wait before leaving the campus, until you see a bus present, just in case there is any problems with the Bus arriving on time. Thanks.
Alumni, Parents, and fans traveling to the meet should take I-94 East to Exit 57 (Garfield road), and stay on Garfield until it merges with 55th Street, and then go one block past Martin Luther King Drive, and Park in front of the Washington Park Fieldhouse and Acquatic Center on Russell drive. (5900 South Payne Drive).
CPS Cross Country Championship Time Schedule
7:00 AM Team Check-In
8:00 AM Freshman Girls (2.0 Miles)
9:00 AM Sophomore Girls (2.0 Miles)
10:00 AM Varsity Women (3.0 Miles)
10:45 AM Varsity Men (3.0 Miles)
11:30 AM Junior Varsity Girls (2.0 Miles)
12:00 PM Junior Varsity Boys (2.0 Miles)
The Northside Varsity Men will be seeking their first City Title in school history! The Northside Varsity Women are the only Team in the meet, that has placed in the top 2, for four consecutive years, and will be seeking their fifth consecutive top 2 finish in 2008. The Mustangs will face great teams from throughout the CPS and it will be one of the most exciting Championship meets in Chicago history.
Northside College Prep will announce online (www.mustangsxc.com) Saturday evening, the Top 12 Men and Top 12 Women selected to represent Northside College Prep Cross Country Team in the IHSA State series. All selections will be based on City Championship race results. IHSA Regional Championships will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Horner Park. IHSA Sectional Championships will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Niles West High School. IHSA State Championships will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Illinois.
************************************************************************************
There will be a Team Meeting on Monday, October 20, 2008, at 3:30 pm in the Northside Cafeteria to Vote on Awards (Freshman, Sophomore, JV, and Varsity Awards) and 2009 Team Captains. In order to get a “ballot” to vote, you must turn in your uniform and/or warm-ups. The Northside Top 12 Athletes will hang-on to their uniforms and warm-ups, and will have practice following the voting. Athletes selected as 2009 Team Captains must be present at the Team Banquet. Thanks. ************************************************************************************
On Sunday, October 12, 2008, thousands of athletes from across the world lined-up for the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Northside Assistant Coach Chad Ware finished as the 4th American and 18th overall in the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a personal best time of 2:23:50! Chad Ware ran a 5k split of 17:04, 10k split of 34:03, 15k split of 51:11, half-marathon split of 1:12:02, 25k split of 1:25:10, 30k split of 1:41:49, 35k split of 1:58:45, 40k split of 2:16:06, and finished with a personal best time of 2:23:50! Chad Ware also finished ahead of several athletes that were in the 2008 Olympic trials. Chad Ware dropped 5 minutes and 19 seconds off his previous best time (2:29:09, 2007 Jacksonville Marathon, 2nd place) for a personal record of 2:23:50!!!
In February 2008, Chad Ware also won the Midwest Intercollegiate 3,000 meters run at the University of Chicago with a personal record of 8:49. He is one of the fastest High School coaches in Illinois. For the past two seasons, Chad Ware has run every workout with the Northside Varsity in addition to his own training, and has also led forty-five minute Core sessions for the entire Team after practices that have been instrumental in preventing injuries. Chad Ware has been the best assistant Coach in Northside history.
In addition to having the fastest Coach in the Chicago Marathon, Northside also had the coach who completed the most marathons. Northside Assistant Coach Jose Nebrida, at the age of 66, completed his 163rd Marathon in eight hours, carrying the American flag the entire 26.2 miles to honor the victims of 9/11. Jose Nebrida is one of the only Americans to run a Marathon in every State in the U.S.
Northside Alumni Mary Shelus and Marisa Buccheit also completed their first Chicago Marathon.
On Thursday, October 16, 2008, at Noon, entries for the City Championships closed for all 70 CPS High Schools, and it was announced that Northside College Prep, a school of only 1,100 students has the largest Boys Cross Country Team in Chicago with 43 athletes. This is a major accomplishment, in a conference that features schools with over 5,000+ students.
The Northside Women are the 11th largest Team in Chicago with 15 athletes. The Northside Women are actively recruiting their classmates for August 2009 Cross Country try-outs, in order to reach the top of the list in 2009.
If you are interested in joining the Cross Country Team in 2009, contact Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon at Jongordon9@aol.com. It is highly recommended that you join the Northside Track & Field Team in January 2009 in preparation for the 2009 Cross Country season.
CPS Boys Teams (# of Athletes)
Northside College Prep 43
Lane Tech 40
Whitney Young 32
Mather 28
Schurz 25
Noble Street 24
Manley 20
Jones 19
Kelly 19
Kenwood 19
Austin 17
Kennedy 17
South Shore 16
Hubbard 15
Juarez 15
Washington 15
Steinmetz 14
Morgan Park 14
North Lawndale Prep 12
Chicago Vocational 12
Lake View 12
Von Steuben 12
Little Village 11
Rickover Naval Academy 10
Farragut 10
Gage Park 9
Urban Prep 9
Taft 8
Curie 8
Dunbar 7
Lincoln Park 7
DuSable 6
Payton Prep 6
Clark 5
Kelvyn Park 5
Lindblom 3
UIC College Prep 3
Senn 1
Lane Tech 48
Whitney Young 43
Steinmetz 34
Dunbar 23
Harper 23
Noble Street 23
Morgan Park 22
Al Raby 15
Northside College Prep 15
Austin 14
Sullivan 14
Hubbard 13
Lake View 13
Payton Prep 12
Manley 11
Jones 11
Lincoln Park 11
Von Steuben 11
Gage Park 10
Mather 9
Little Village 9
South Shore 9
Juarez 8
Kennedy 8
Kenwood 8
DuSable 7
UIC College Prep 7
Washington 7
Farragut 6
Lindblom 6
North Lawndale Prep 5
Kelvyn Park 4
Rickover Naval Academy 4
On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Northside College Prep Junior Varsity Boys traveled to Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois for the Chicago Public League Cross Country Championships. Northside Principal Barry Rodgers, Northside Alumni Daniel Kittaka, and Rachel Kittaka greeted the Mustangs at Washington Park to help support the Team. The Northside Mustangs also had the largest amount of students, parents, guests, and fans of any Team at the 2008 CPS City Championships.
Chicago Public Schools have been training for this Championship meet since June 2008. The Junior Varsity division featured 35 Teams, including Chicago Vocational, Manley, Hubbard, Urban Prep, Schurz, Farragut, Gage Park, Kennedy, Morgan Park, Noble Street, Steinmetz, Lake View, North Lawndale Prep, Jones, Lincoln Park, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Mather, Payton Prep, Kenwood, Taft, Little Village, Austin, UIC Prep, Carver, Kelly, Kelvyn Park, Simeon, South Shore, Washington, Al Raby, Von Steuben, and Farragut. The course was officially measured at 2.00 miles. Medals and All City Honor t-shirts were awarded to the Top 20 Junior Varsity Athletes. The 2008 Northside Junior Varsity Boys Team was the greatest Junior Varsity Cross Country Team in the history of Northside College Prep.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse led the Mustangs and placed fifth overall with an outstanding two mile time of 11:06! Craig Melhuse dropped 42 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Craig Melhuse was awarded a Medal for placing fifth overall. Craig Melhuse was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City Honors. Craig Melhuse also ran the eighth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships, and will be on the Mustangs Varsity roster for the IHSA State series. Senior Craig Melhuse will also be honored on November 15 at the 2008 Northside Cross Country Banquet with a Varsity Letter Blanket.
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld finished second for the Mustangs and placed sixth overall with a personal best two mile time of 11:14. Spencer Rosenfeld dropped 1 Minute and six seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Spencer Rosenfeld was awarded a Medal for placing sixth overall. Spencer Rosenfeld was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City Honors. Senior Spencer Rosenfeld will also be honored on November 15 at the 2008 Northside Cross Country Banquet with a Varsity Letter Blanket.
Northside Junior Forrest Cortes finished third for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 11:33. Forrest Cortes dropped 38 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Forrest Cortes will be one of the Mustangs top runners in 2009. Forrest Cortes was awarded a Medal and a T-shirt for earning All City Honors.
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni finished fourth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 11:39. Senior Simon Vecchioni was awarded a Medal and a T-shirt for earning All City Honors. Senior Simon Vecchioni will also be honored on November 15 at the 2008 Northside Cross Country Banquet with a Varsity Letter Blanket. Simon Vecchioni holds the school record for pull-ups (33!), and consecutive sit-ups with a 12lbs medicine ball (1,100!). Vecchioni also holds the school record for the Distance Medley Relay. The Northside Coaching staff has big plans for Simon Vecchioni in the 800m run in the upcoming Track & Field season.
Northside Junior James Rey finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring with a personal best time of 12:16. James Rey dropped 24 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! James Rey will be one of the Mustangs top runners in 2009.
Northside Junior Peter Wilk finished sixth for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 12:32. Peter Wilk dropped 1 Minute and 13 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Peter Wilk is one of the most improved athletes on the Junior Varsity Team.
Northside Senior Norman Lee finished seventh for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 12:45. Norman Lee dropped 30 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Senior Coleman Gailloreto finished eighth for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 12:49. Coleman Gailloreto dropped 18 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon finished ninth for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 12:52. Andrew Czyszczon dropped 26 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Senior Ted Kalaw finished tenth for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 12:54.
Northside Junior Neal Capapas finished 11th for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 13:30.
Northside Junior Sam Olver finished 12th for the Mustangs with an outstanding time of 13:33.
Other Northside finishers include: Senior Nathan Michaelson (13:16), Junior Neibu Tadele (14:16), Sophomore Damian Azubuike (15:27), and Sophomore Alfredo Almaraz (15:41).
Northside finished in 3rd place at City Championships in the Junior Varsity Division.
A Mandatory TEAM MEETING will take place on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm in the Northside Cafeteria to VOTE on Team Awards and 2009 Captains. Please turn in your uniform and/or warm-ups in exchange for a ballot. Northside Top 12 Athletes and Cal Ripken, Jr. Award winners (perfect attendance whole season) will hang-on to their uniforms, and will have practice for the IHSA State series after they vote.
The 2008 Northside Cross Country Awards Banquet will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Hackney's in Glenview, Illinois.
Chicago Public Schools have been training for this Championship meet since June 2008. The Sophomore division featured 25 Teams, including DuSable, Juarez, Bogan, Chicago Math & Science Academy, Chicago Vocational, Hubbard, Schurz, Kennedy, Morgan Park, Noble Street, North Lawndale Prep, Jones, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Mather, Payton Prep, Kenwood, Taft, Little Village, Austin, Simeon, South Shore, Washington, Al Raby, and Von Steuben. The course was officially measured at 2.00 miles. Medals and All City Honor t-shirts were awarded to the Top 20 Sophomore-Freshman Athletes.
Whitney Young won the meet with 31 points. Kenwood finished in second place with 80 points. Kenwood won the tie-breaker for second place by having the fastest sixth runner. Mather finished in third place with 80 points. Northside College Prep finished in fourth place with 84 points, and posted victories over Lane Tech (103), Curite (230), Simeon (247), Kennedy (269), Noble Street Charter (277), DuSable, Juarez, Bogan, Chicago Math & Science, Chicago Vocational, Hubbard, Schurz, Kennedy, Morgan Park, North Lawndale Prep, Jones, Taft, Little Village, Austin, Simeon, South Shore, Washington, Al Raby, Von Steuben, and Payton Prep.
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski finished second for the Mustangs and 12th overall with a personal best two mile time of 11:10! Dominic Sieminski dropped 23 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Dominic Sieminski was awarded a Medal for placing 12th overall. Dominic Sieminski was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors. Dominic Sieminski also ran the tenth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships, and will be on the Mustangs Varsity roster for the IHSA State series.
Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished third for the Mustangs and 13th overall with a personal best two mile time of 11:14! Erik Zuehlke dropped 1 Minute and 17 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Erik Zuehlke was awarded a Medal for placing 13th overall. Erik Zuehlke was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors. Erik Zuehlke also ran the eleventh fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships, and will be on the Mustangs Varsity roster for the IHSA State series.
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan finished fourth for the Mustangs and 22nd overall with a personal best time of 11:30! Luis Gaytan dropped 43 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Luis Gaytan will also be on the Mustangs Varsity roster for the IHSA State series.
Northside Sophomore Alex Luke finished fifth to complete the scoring for the Mustangs and 31st overall with a personal best time of 11:58! The Northside coaching staff has big plans for Alex Luke in multiple events for the upcoming Track & Field season.
Northside Sophomore Noel Lopez finished sixth for the Mustangs and 32nd overall with an outstanding time of 11:59. Noel Lopez dropped 42 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! The Northside coaching staff has big plans for Noel Lopez in the Middle distances for the upcoming Track & Field season.
Northside Sophomore Honghe Li finished seventh for the Mustangs and 74th overall with a time of 13:33.
On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Northside Freshman Boys traveled to Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois for the Freshman City Championships. Northside Principal Barry Rogers, Northside Alumni Daniel Kittaka, and Rachel Kittaka greeted the Mustangs at Washington Park to help support the Team. The Northside Mustangs also had the largest amount of students, parents, guests, and fans of any Team at the 2008 CPS City Championships.
Chicago Public Schools have been training for this Championship meet since June 2008. The Freshman division featured 15 Teams, including Mather, Kenwood, Northside College Prep, Lane Tech, Noble Street Charter, Steinmetz, Urban Prep, UIC College Prep, Austin, Payton Prep, Washington, Jones, Lake View, Whitney Young, and Math & Science Academy.
Lane Tech won the Freshman City Championships with 46 points. Northside College Prep finished in second place with 73 points, and posted victories over Kenwood (132), Mather (204), Whitney Young, Urban Prep, Noble Street Charter, Steinmetz, UIC College Prep, Austin, Payton Prep, Washington, Jones, Lake View, and Math & Science Academy.
Northside College Prep was awarded a plaque for finishing second overall in the CPS Freshman Championships. The Plaque will be displayed in the Athletic Director's office for a couple of days, and then put on permanent display in the Northside Trophy case.
The Northside Freshman will be honored at the Northside Cross Country Banquet on November 15, 2008 with CPS Freshman Runner's up Trophies.
Chicago Math & Science Academy Freshman Espar Habnana won the meet with an outstanding time of 11:07.
Northside Freshman Pat Duffy led the Mustangs by outkicking UIC College Prep Freshman Danny Gonzalez (11:42.20) to the finish with a personal best time of 11:42.00 to place second overall!!! Pat Duffy ran his best race of the season!! In a ceremony following the Meet, Pat Duffy was awarded a Medal for placing second overall! Pat Duffy was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors.
Northside Freshman John Ringor finished second for the Mustangs and third overall with a personal best time of 11:49. In a ceremony following the Meet, John Ringor was awarded a Medal for placing fourth overall! John Ringor was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors.
Northside Freshman Chris Ceisel finished third for the Mustangs and 15th overall with a personal best time of 12:47. In a ceremony following the Meet, Chris Ceisel was awarded a Medal for placing 15th overall! Chris Ceisel was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors.
Northside Freshman Honglin Xiao finished fourth for the Mustangs and 24th overall with a personal best time of 13:22.
Northside Freshman Matt Sugai finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 28th overall with a time of 14:29.
Northside Freshman Luis Mesa finished sixth for the Mustangs and 37th overall with a time of 15:10.
Northside Freshman Edgar Ortega finished seventh for the Mustangs and 40th overall with a time of 15:26.
On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Women traveled to Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois for the Chicago Public League Cross Country Championships. Washington Park is also the proposed site for the 2016 Olympics.
Northside Principal Barry Rodgers, Northside Alumni Rachel Kittaka, and Daniel Kittaka greeted the Mustangs at Washington Park to help support the Team. The Northside Mustangs also had the largest amount of students, parents, guests, and fans of any Team at the 2008 CPS City Championships.
Chicago Public Schools have been training for this Championship meet since June 2008. The Varsity division featured 27 Teams, including Al Raby, Dunbar, Nolbe Street Charter, Whitney Young, Mather, Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Gage Park, Schurz, Hubbard, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Austin, Brooks, Kelvyn Park, Farragut, Harlen, Harper, Payton Prep, Sullivan, Kennedy, Lake View, Steimetz, Von Steuben, South Shore, Washington, and Kelly. The course was officially measured at 3.06 miles.
Whitney Young won the City Championships with 24 points. Congratulations to Whitney Young Coach Bob Geiger and staff, for defending their City Title. Whitney Young's top five included: 1. Lavina Jurkiewicz 18:08, 3. Devyn Young 18:18, 4. Maisie Vaschuska 18:32, 7. Rachel Joravsky 19:23, and 9. Veronica Rozynek 19:30.
Lane Tech finished in second place with 68 points. Mather finished in third place with 86 points. Northside College Prep finished in fourth place with 97 points, and posted victories over Morgan Park (98), Lincoln Park (224), Hubbard (238), Schurz (259), Gage Park (336), Noble Street Charter (376), Dunbar (454), Al Raby (500), Kelly, Brooks, Kelvyn Park, Farragut, Harlen, Harper, Payton Prep, Sullivan, Kennedy, Lake View, Steinmetz, Von Steuben, South Shore, Washington, and Austin. The Northside Varsity Women improved their season record to 75-43!
Northside Captain Ani Zotti led the Mustangs by placing 11th overall with an outstanding time of 20:00. Northside Senior Ani Zotti received cheers from the crowd throughout the race from not only Northside fans, but Lincoln Park fans as well. Ani Zotti was awarded a Medal for placing 11th overall. Ani Zotti was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All City Honors.
Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi finished second for the Mustangs and 12th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 20:25! Adaora Achufusi passed Northside distance legend Stafanie Couchman on the all time list, and ran the seventh fastest time in Northside history!
Northside Captain Carmen Abelson finished third for the Mustangs and 23rd overall with an outstanding time of 21:19.
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished fourth for the Mustangs and 24th overall with a personal best time of 21:23. Karlyn Gehring dropped 35 seconds from the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational.
Northside Sophomore Su Yang finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 28th overall with a personal best time of 21:28. Su Yang dropped 1 Minute and 5 seconds from the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational. It was one of the biggest time drops ever by a Varsity athlete in less than two weeks.
Northside Junior Yesenia Valadez finished sixth for the Mustangs and 50th overall with a personal best time of 22:53! Yesenia Valadez dropped 1 Minute and 6 seconds off her personal record!!
Northside Junior Merita Bushi finished seventh for the Mustangs and 70th overall with an outstanding time of 25:03. Although Merita Bushi ran a Northside Top 12 time, she is unable to attend the IHSA State series due to an out of state obligation. As a result, she will not be selected for the Northside Varsity roster for the IHSA State series. Northside Junior Bessie Nolan (21:15, Niles West) will run in Merita Bushi's place at the IHSA Regional Championships.
Northside runners #8 - #12 will race alternates from other Teams at IHSA Regionals at 2:25 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2008. If any of the Northside alternate runs faster than the Northside Top 7, they will race in their place at the IHSA Sectional Championship meet.
Northside selected runners #8 - #12 based on the results at the CPS City Championships.
Northside Junior Jessica Tapia ran the eighth fastest time of the day for Northside, in the Junior Varsity race. Jessica Tapia placed 22nd overall with an outstanding two mile time of 15:24.
Northside Junior Mahaim Haider ran the ninth fastest time of the day for Northside, in the Junior Varsity race. Mahaim Haider placed 23rd overall with an outstanding two mile time of 15:26.
Northside Freshman Karly Raber ran the tenth fastest time of the day for Northside, in the Junior Varsity race. Karly Raber placed 36th overall with an outstanding two mile time of 16:17.
Northside Freshman Loren Piedrasanta ran the 11th fastest time of the day for Northside, in the Junior Varsity race. Loren Piedrasanta placed 52nd with a personal best two mile time of 17:11. Loren Piedrasanta dropped one minute and six seconds from the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational!
Northside Captain Anna Parks is recovering from a fractured toe, and the earliest she will be able to race will be the IHSA Sectional Championships. Tthe Northside Coaching staff will use their final, and 12th roster spot for Anna Parks, in case she is ready to race by the IHSA Sectional Championships.
Other Northside finishers in the Junior Varsity division include: Junior Simmone Seymour, 17:16, 53rd, Junior Rachel Trenchard, 17:37, 59th, and Senior Dashielle Bark-Huss, 17:41, 63rd.
The Northside Women Cross Country Team will be honored at a Team Banquet on November 15, 2008 at Hackney's in Glenview, Illinois.
The Northside Top 12 Women will travel to Horner Park on the corner of Montrose and California Ave. in Chicago, Illinois on October 25, 2008 for the IHSA Regional Championships!!!
On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men traveled to Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois for the Chicago Public League Cross Country Championships. Northside Principal Barry Rodgers, Northside Alumni Daniel Kittaka, and Rachel Kittaka greeted the Mustangs at Washington Park to help support the Team. The Northside Mustangs also had the largest amount of students, parents, guests, and fans of any Team at the 2008 CPS City Championships.
Chicago Public Schools have been training for this Championship meet since June 2008. The Varsity division featured 35 Teams, including Chicago Vocational, Manley, Hubbard, Urban Prep, Schurz, Farragut, Gage Park, Kennedy, Morgan Park, Noble Street, Steinmetz, Lake View, North Lawndale Prep, Jones, Lincoln Park, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Mather, Payton Prep, Kenwood, Taft, Little Village, Austin, UIC Prep, Carver, Kelly, Kelvyn Park, Simeon, South Shore, Washington, Al Raby, Von Steuben, and Farragut. The course was officially measured at 3.06 miles.
Mather won the City Championships with 37 points. Congratulations to Mather Coach Dale Devinney and staff, for defending their City Title. Mather's top five included: 1. Senior Ivan Coronel 15:19, 3. Senior Omar Caban 15:34, 5. Freshman Abdurahim Haji 15:45, 14. Senior Miguel Medina 16:07, and 16. Freshman Negash Bana 16:12.
Northside College Prep finished in second place with 46 points, and posted victories over Lane Tech (48), Whitney Young (116), Lincoln Park (175), Jones (239), North Lawndale Prep (287), Lake View (301), Steinmetz (324), Noble Street (339), Morgan Park (395), Kennedy (399), Gage Park (409), Farragut (426), Schurz (451), Urban Prep (524), Hubbard (532), Chicago Vocational (548), Manley (612), Kenwood, Taft, Little Village, Austin, UIC Prep, Carver, Kelly, Kelvyn Park, Simeon, South Shore, Washington, Al Raby, Von Steuben, Farragut, and Payton Prep. The Mustsangs season record improved to 126-25!!!
In a ceremony that followed the meet, the Mustangs were awarded a 2nd place plaque which will be displayed with a photo of the Team in the Northside Hall of Honors. Each member of the Varsity Team was also awarded a Medal for finishing as 2008 CPS Runners-up. A Medal was also given to Northside's 8th runner, Senior Craig Melhuse, and Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore led the Mustangs by finishing fourth overall, and tied his personal best time with a 15:37! The Northside coaching staff had him timed in 15:36, but official results showed a 15:37. Charlie Mesimore ran his second consecutive 15:37 of the season, and Mesimore was the fastest Sophomore in the meet! Charlie Mesimore also ran the second fastest time in Northside history! Charlie Mesimore also dropped a minute and four seconds from the 2007 City Championships!! Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal for placing fourth overall! Charlie Mesimore was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City Honors!
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss finished second for the Mustangs and eighth overall (7th for Team scoring) with a personal best time of 15:48! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 13 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the third fastest time in Northside history! Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was awarded a Medal for placing eighth overall! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City Honors!
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished third for the Mustangs and tenth overall (9th for Team scoring) with a personal best time of 15:50! Copper Eben dropped 40 seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Cooper Eben ran the fourth fastest time in Northside history! Cooper Eben was awarded a Medal for placing tenth overall! Cooper Eben was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City honors!
Leading up to the City Championships, Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham had his best practices of his high school career. Long after his teammates went home, because of a schedule conflict, Wesley Laytham ran Spivey 400m repeats by himself on the Track with huge Spivey time drops, and then ran eye-popping mile repeats on the Wednesday prior to the City Championship meet. On Saturday, Sophomore Wesley Laytham responded with his best race of the season, by finishing fourth for the Mustangs and 13th overall (12th for Team scoring) with a personal best time of 16:05! Wesley Laytham dropped 34 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!! Laytham also finished one place ahead of Mather's fourth runner (Miguel Medinia, 16:07, 14th) to secure vital points for the Mustangs. Wesley Laytham passed Northside distance legend Patrick O'Connor on the all-time list, with the sixth fastest time in Northside history!! Wesley Laytham was awarded a Medal for placing 13th overall! Wesley Laytham was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City honors!!
After the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational, the Northside Coaching staff knew Captain Jonathan Kittaka's muscular endurance was back, and Kittaka responded by having his best practices of his entire high school career, including eye-popping mile repeats. On Saturday, Senior Jonathan Kittaka put the Mustangs over the top with his best race of the season. Senior Jonathan Kittaka finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 15th overall (14th for Team scoring) with a season best time of 16:08! Jonathan Kittaka dropped 8 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!! Kittaka also finished one place ahead of Mather's fifth runner (Negash Bana, 16:12, 16th) to secure vital points for the Mustangs. Jonathan Kittaka was awarded a Medal for placing 15th overall! Jonathan Kittaka was also awarded a T-shirt for earning All-City honors!!
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished sixth for the Mustangs and 32nd overall with a personal best time of 17:16! Taylor Kuehn dropped 23 seconds from the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational! Taylor Kuehn was also the third fastest Freshman in the meet! Taylor Kuehn also passed David Zaya on the all-time list, with the 15th fastest time in Northside History! Taylor Kuehn finished ahead of the fifth runner of 30 opposing Teams to push their Team scores back, and secure the victory for the Mustangs!!!
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished seventh for the Mustangs and 35th overall with a season best time of 17:30! Junior Jiasong Yang dropped 25 seconds from the Pat Savage Niles West Invitational. Jiasong Yang also finished ahead of the fifth runner of 30 opposing Teams to push their Teams scores back, and secure victory for the Mustangs!!!
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men Cross Country Team will be traveling to Horner Park in Chicago, Illinois for the IHSA Regional Championships. The Mustangs will leave Northside for the Meet at Noon. The Varsity Men will race at 2:00 pm. The Top 5 Teams will advance to the IHSA Sectional Championships!!! The highest Northside has ever finished in an IHSA Regional meet is fifth place (2007). The Northside Mustangs are currently ranked #2 in their Regional!, and if each Northside athlete drops 5 more seconds, the Mustangs will bring home their first IHSA Regional Championship Title!!!
The IHSA allows each school to carry a roster of 12 athletes during the IHSA State series. Northside has to declare their top 12 athletes with the IHSA on Monday morning. Each school can only use 7 of their top 12 athletes for IHSA Regionals, IHSA Sectionals, and the State Championship Meet.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse ran the eighth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to place fifth overall in the Junior Varsity race with a two mile time of 11:06! Craig Melhuse dropped 42 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Sophomore Fahad Savari ran the ninth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to place 11th overall in the Sophomore race with a two mile time of 11:08! Fahad Savari dropped 1 Minute and 10 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski ran the tenth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to place 12th overall in the Sophomore race with a two mile time of 11:10! Dominic Sieminski dropped 23 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke ran the eleventh fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to place 13th overall in the Sophomore race with a two mile time of 11:14! Erik Zuehlke dropped 1 Minute and 17 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld is unavailable for the IHSA State series due to the ACT and SAT Exam in consecutive weeks, but did run the twelfth fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to place sixth overall in the Junior Varsity race with a two mile time of 11:14! Spencer Rosenfeld also dropped 1 Minute and six seconds from the 2007 City Championships! Spencer Rosenfeld had a great season and will be honored at the Team banquet on November 15. As a result of Spencer Rosenfeld being unavailable for the IHSA State series, the Northside coaching staff will select the next fastest time to complete the Northside Top 12.
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan ran the next fastest time on the Team at CPS City Championships to complete the Northside Top 12. Sophomore Luis Gaytan placed 22nd overall in the Sophomore division with a two mile time of 11:30! Luis Gaytan dropped 43 seconds from the 2007 City Championships!
Sophomore Luis Gaytan is also tied with Captain Simon Vecchioni and Junior Andrew Czyszczon for the Cal Ripken, Jr. Award (Perfect attendance, entire season, August 13 - November 8). As a reward for perfect attendance, and to help determine the 2008 Cal Ripken, Jr. Award Winner, Senior Simon Vecchioni and Junior Andrew Czyszczon will continue to train with the Northside Top 12 Athletes through the 2008 State Championships!!
A special thanks to the Northside parents for providing the Mustangs with the BEST Team Pasta Party of the season, the night before the City Championships. The Mustangs responded with their best meet of the season, and will be seeking their first IHSA Regional Championship Title at Horner Park (Montrose and California) in Chicago, Illinois on October 25, 2008 at 12:30 pm.
On Friday, October 24, 2008, the Northside Varsity Cross Country Team will have practice at 8:00 am in front of the main entrance of Northside College Prep. The Mustangs will be running to IHOP for a Team breakfast.
IHSA Regionals will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Horner Park, in Chicago, Illinois. The Northside Varsity Men are currently ranked #2 in their Region. The Northside Varsity Women are currently ranked #5 in their Region. The Top 5 Teams in the Region will advance to IHSA Sectionals.
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, the bus will leave for IHSA Regionals at 11:50 am from the main entrance of Northside College Prep.
IHSA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TIME SCHEDULE
Coaches Meeting 12:30 PM
Varsity Women 1:15 pm
Varsity Men 2:00 pm
Northside v. Mather Alternates 2:25 pm
Awards Ceremony 2:45 pm
On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, Northside Alumni Santino Merino and Alex Aparacio visited the Northside Mustangs at practice as they prepare for the IHSA Regional Championships. Alex Aparacio currently attends Loyola University. Santino Merino currently runs Cross Country and Track for Oberlin College, and will become the first Northside Alumni to compete in Steeplechase in college this spring.
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, the Northside Women will be seeking to qualify for the IHSA Sectional Championships for the third consecutive year! With the return of Junior Bessie Nolan and Captain Anna Parks, the Mustangs will be stronger going into the IHSA Regional Championships.
The Northside Men will be seeking their first IHSA Regional Title. Prior to 2008, Northside College Prep's best Mens finish in an IHSA Regional Championship meet was as a fifth place qualifier in 2007. The Mustangs are currently ranked #2, and in contention for the Title! In a Illinois Dyestat Regional Championship preview article, Michael Newman said, "Northside Prep looked surprisingly strong" at the Chicago Public League Championships and will contend for the IHSA Regional title!
The IHSA Regional Championship Meet takes place on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Horner Park, in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO - Looking up in the air at the banners hanging from the ceiling at the Northside College Prep Gymnasium, Northside Cross Country Head Coach Jon Gordon and Assistant Coach Chad Ware realized something was missing, a banner displaying a Mens Regional Championship -- until now.
Since the 1999 opening of the school, no mens team in any sport had ever won a Regional Title, until this season.
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, the Northside Mens Cross Country Team won the schools first IHSA Regional Title at Horner Park.
The Northside Mustangs (132-25) WON the IHSA Regional Championship by a score of 39-42 over Mather, the City Champions. The Mustangs also posted victories over Lane Tech (69 points), St. Ignatius College Prep (80 points), Whitney Young (123 points), Lincoln Park (180 points), De La Salle (201 points), and Von Steuben.
"I'm very proud of every athlete on this team," said Gordon, "their determination and work ethic was second to none."
The Mustangs came off one of their hardest training weeks of the season, and responded by winning the IHSA Regional Championship. The Mustangs Regional Victory now puts them among Lake Park, Fenwick, Loyola, and York as the favorites to qualify for the IHSA State Championships at the Niles West Sectional this Saturday.
Despite a sloppy and wet course at Horner Park, the Mustangs still dropped time from the last time they raced on the same course at the Gordon Tech Invitational in September 2008.
Mather Senior Ivan Coronel won the meet with a time of 16:00. Lane Tech Junior Kulayifi Haji finished in second with a time of 16:06.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore led the Mustangs by placing 3rd overall with an outstanding time of 16:08. Charlie Mesimore dropped 35 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Charlie Mesimore was also the fastest Sophomore in the Regional! Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:18, and then ran the second mile in 5:30 (10:48), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:29 for an outstanding time of 16:08. Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal and earned All Region Honors by placing third overall!
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss finished second for the Mustangs by placing 5th overall with an outstanding time of 16:19. Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 9 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was also the second fastest Junior in the Regional! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:20, and then ran the second mile in 5:33 (10:53), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:26 for an outstanding time of 16:19. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss was awarded a Medal and earned All Region Honors by placing fifth overall!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished third for the Mustangs by placing 7th overall with an outstanding time of 16:31. Wesley Laytham dropped 47 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Wesley Laytham was also the second fastest Sophomore in the Regional! Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:23, and then ran the second mile in 5:41 (11:04), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:27 for an outstanding time of 16:31. Wesley Laytham moved up six places from the City Championships! Wesley Laytham earned All Region Honors by placing 7th overall!
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished fourth for the Mustangs by placing 11th overall with an outstanding time of 16:40. Cooper Eben dropped 16 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:22, and then ran the second mile in 5:43 (11:05), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:35 for an outstanding time of 16:40. Cooper Eben earned All Region Honors by placing 11th overall!
Northside Captain Jon Kittaka finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring by placing 13th overall with an outstanding time of 16:56. Jon Kittaka dropped 25 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Jon Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:24, and then ran the second mile in 5:52 (11:16), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:40 for an outstanding time of 16:56 to finish ahead of Mather's fourth runner (Mikey Medina, 16:59, 14th overall), and fifth runner (Edward Torres, 17:06, 17th overall) to secure a Regional Title for the Mustangs!!!
The Northside Mustangs have had a healthy competition for the Top 7 spots on the Varsity by honoring their Top 12 Athletes after every meet. In post-season meets, Northside also honors Cal Ripken, Jr. Award winners (Athletes with perfect attendance in practice for the entire season) as well. All members of the Northside Top 12 Athletes, Cal Ripken, Jr. Award winners, and members of the coaching staff will receive a 2008 IHSA Regional Championship patch. Northside Head Coach Jon Gordon still has his patch from his high school days as part of the 1988 Glenbrook North Regional Championship Team, and is looking forward to receiving the 2008 IHSA Regional Championship patch.
The Northside coaching staff uses hand held times to determine positions #6 - #12 after each meet, if official results are not available for all positions, #6 - #12. Generally, the hand held times are 1-2 seconds faster than the official results. At IHSA Regionals, there was no official results for the Open Race, so the Northside Coaching staff used hand held times to determine the sixth and seventh runners for the IHSA Sectional Championships.
To make everyone aware of the times run, and to help runners in the open race, the Northside coaching staff lets athletes in positions #8 - #12 know the hand held times of runners #6 - #7 prior to the start of the open race. At IHSA Regionals, Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran a hand-held time of 17:58, and Northside Junior Jiasong Yang ran a hand-held time of 18:11. If an athlete falls out of the Top 7, they can re-gain their Varsity spot by running a Top 7 time in the open race at the IHSA Sectional Championships.
At the IHSA Regional Championships, the Northside Top 12 athletes all ran outstanding, and it was the tighest competition of the season for the Top 7 Varsity spots.
The sixth fastest time of the day came in the open race. Northside Senior Craig Melhuse ran an outstanding time of 17:57. Craig Melhuse dropped 30 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:50, and then ran the second mile in 6:05 (11:55), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:02 for an outstanding time of 17:57!
The seventh fastest time of the day came in the Varsity race. Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn ran an outstanding time of 17:58 to place 33rd overall. Taylor Kuehn dropped 22 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:45, and then ran the second mile in 6:11 (11:56), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:02 for an outstanding time of 17:58!
The eighth fastest time of the day came in the open race. Northside Sophomore Dominic Sieminski ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:59. Dominic Sieminski dropped 1 Minute and 5 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 5:53, and then ran the second mile in 6:18 (12:11), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:48 for a personal best time of 17:59! Dominic Sieminski also ran the 19th fastest time in Northside history!
The ninth fastest time of the day came in the open race. Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 18:02! Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 5:53, and then ran the second mile in 6:12 (12:05), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:57 for a personal best time of 18:02!
The tenth fastest time of the day came in the Varsity race. Northside Junior Jiasong Yang ran an outstanding time of 18:11. Jiasong Yang dropped nine seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:45, and then ran the second mile in 6:14 (11:59), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:12 for an outstanding time of 18:11.
The eleventh fastest time of the day came in the open race. Northside Sophomore Fahad Savari ran an outstanding time of 18:26. Fahad Savari ran the first mile in 5:53, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (12:10), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:16 for an outstanding time of 18:26.
The twelfth fastest time of the day came in the open race. Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni ran an outstanding time of 18:50 in the open race. Senior Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:55, and then ran the second mile in 6:34 (12:29), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:21 for an outstanding time of 18:50.
Whitney Young Pole Vault star, Sophomore Dave Rodgers ran an outstanding time of 19:21 in the open race.
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan ran an outstanding time of 19:25 in the open race. Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 6:06, and then ran the second mile in 6:46 (12:52), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 6:34 for a outstanding time of 19:25.
Northside Senior Spencer Rosenfeld ran a time of 20:28 in the open race. Spencer Rosenfeld ran the first mile in 5:55, and then ran the second mile in 6:47 (12:42), and then ran the final mile in 7:46 for a time of 20:28.
Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon ran a time of 21:08 in the open race. Andrew Czyszczon ran the first mile in 6:27, and then ran the second mile in 7:22 (13:49), and then ran the final mile in 7:19 for a time of 21:08.
In one year, the Northside College Prep Mustangs went from fifth place to FIRST place in the Regional!!!
The 2008 IHSA Regional Championship plaque will be displayed in the coaching staff's office for one day, before it is placed in the entranceway to the Principal's office for two days, then it will be shared with each member of the Team, before it is displayed in the Northside athletic director's office. The plaque will later be permanently placed in the Northside Hall of Honors.
The Northside College Prep Mustangs will travel to Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois for the IHSA Sectional Championships on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The Top 5 Teams will advance to the IHSA State Championships, and the Top 7 athletes on non-qualifying Teams will also advance to the IHSA State Championships. The Varsity Men will race at 2 pm. The open race will take place at 2:35 pm. The bus will leave for the IHSA Sectional Championships at 11:30 am on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The Northside Mustangs are now three victories away from the school record for wins in a season, and a Top 5 finish at IHSA Sectionals will qualify the Mustangs for the IHSA State Championships!!!
On Friday, October 24, 2008, at a Team breakfast at IHOP, the Northside Varsity Women received good news. Northside Captain Anna Parks recovered from a fractured toe, and would be running in the IHSA Regional Championship meet. With the return of Senior Anna Parks and Junior Bessie Nolan, the Mustangs would have a good chance of qualifying for the IHSA Sectional Championship for the third year in a row.
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, the Northside Women were ready for a 11:45 am departure to Horner Park in Chicago, Illinois for the IHSA Regional Championships, but no bus showed. Fortunately, Northside parents and coaching staff were able to load up all the cars in the Northside parking lot, and get the Team to Horner Park in time for the meet.
The IHSA Regional featured nine Teams, including: Lincoln Park, Von Steuben, De La Salle, Northside College Prep, Mather, Lane, St. Ignatius, Dunbar, and Whitney Young. The Top 5 Teams advance to the IHSA Sectional Championships.
Whitney Young won the meet with 23 points. St. Ignatius finished in second place with 52 points. Lane Tech finished in third place with 106 points. Mather finished in fourth place with 108 points.
The Northside Mustangs faced a big challenge from De La Salle High school for fifth place, but were able to rise up to the challenge and QUALIFY for the IHSA Sectional Championships for the third consecutive year!!! The Mustangs finished in fifth place with 129 points and posted victories over De La Salle (136 points), Von Steuben (207 points), Lincoln Park (211 points), and Dunbar.
Northside Captain Ani Zotti led the Mustangs by placing 17th overall with a time of 20:38. Ani Zotti ran the first mile in 6:32, and then ran the second mile in 7:01 (13:33), and then ran the final mile in 7:04 for a time of 20:38.
Northside Senior Adaora Achufusi finished second for the Mustangs and 24th overall with a time of 21:31. Adaora Achufusi ran the first mile in 6:44, and then ran the second mile in 7:22 (14:06), and then ran the final mile in 7:25 for a time of 21:31.
Northsde Captain Carmen Abelson finished third for the Mustangs and 28th overall with a time of 21:50. Carmen Abelson ran the first mile in 6:55, and then ran the second mile in 7:36 (14:31), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 7:19 for a time of 21:50.
Northside Sophomore Su Yang finished fourth for the Mustangs and 29th overall with a time of 22:14. Su Yang ran the first mile in 6:58, and then ran the second mile in 7:42 (14:40), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 7:34 for a time of 22:14.
Northside Junior Bessie Nolan finished fifth for the Mustangs to complete the scoring and 31st overall with a time of 22:25. Bessie Nolan ran the first mile 7:02, and then ran the second mile in 7:50 (14:52), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 7:33 for a time of 22:25.
Northside Captain Anna Parks finished sixth for the Mustangs and 32nd overall with a time of 22:27. Anna Parks ran the first mile in 7:02, and then ran the second mile in 7:50 (14:52), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 7:35 for a time of 22:27.
Northside Sophomore Karlyn Gehring finished seventh for the Mustangs and 33rd overall with a time of 22:31. Karlyn Gehring ran the first mile in 7:02, and then ran the second mile in 7:50 (14:52), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 7:39 for a time of 22:31.
The Northside Women will travel to Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois for the IHSA Sectional Championships on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The Varsity Women will race at 1 pm. The Top 5 Teams in the IHSA Sectional will advance to the State Championships. The Top 7 athletes on non-advancing Teams will also qualify for the State Championships.
A Special Thanks to Northside Assistant coach Jose Nebrida for donating 50% of the funds for a Team breakfast at IHOP the Friday before the IHSA Regional Championships. The pancakes helped put the Mustangs over the top.
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, Northside Alumni legends John Krumsee, Dan Garcia, and Anderson Adams were at Horner Park to greet the Mustangs and celebrate with them as they witnessed the first IHSA Regional Cross Country Title in Northside history!
John Krumsee and Anderson Adams ran for NCAA Division I Creighton University. John Krumsee ran an 8k PR of 24:52 in college. Krumsee still holds the Northside school record for three miles with a 15:14 at the 2003 IHSA Sectional Championships. Anderson Adams is also on the Mustangs All time list with a 16:26 in 2001. Dan Garcia is also on the Mustangs all time list with a 16:31 in 2002.
Northside Alumni legends Joey Paquette, Dan Kittaka, Patrick O'Connor, James Smith Gratten, Nick Florence, and Mary Shelus are dancing in the streets at the University of Illinois.
Northside Alumni Jordan Stacey is telling his Cornel teammates about the Mustangs.
Northside Alumni Preston Buehrer is celebrating at Boston University, wishing he was in Chicago to see it.
Northside Alumni Santino Merino is telling his Oberlin teammates about the Mustangs.
Northside Alumni Brad Eben is celebrating at Georgetown University.
Northside Alumni Maruja Yoshimura is telling her ITT teammates about the Mustangs.
Northside Alumni Julia Shimada is telling her Hendrix teammates about the Mustangs.
A special thanks to all of the Northside Cross Country Alumni for their support.
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore was awarded a Medal and earned All Region Honors by placing third overall! Charlie Mesimore led the Mustangs by placing 3rd overall with an outstanding time of 16:08. Charlie Mesimore dropped 35 seconds from the Gordon Tech Invitational! Charlie Mesimore was also the fastest Sophomore in the Regional! Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 5:18, and then ran the second mile in 5:30 (10:48), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:29 for an outstanding time of 16:08.
On Saturday, November 1, 2008, the Northside College Prep Varsity Men Cross Country Team traveled to Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois for the IHSA Sectional Championships. The meet featured 20 Teams on the starting line, fighting for the Top 5 spots to advance to the IHSA State Championships. All 20 Teams had to earn their way to the IHSA Sectional Championship meet, by placing in the top 5 in their respective Regional. The Mustangs would need only three more victories to break the school record for wins in a season, and a top five finish would give them a trip to Peoria, Illinois for the State Championships.
The Mustangs spent this past week tapering for the IHSA Sectional Championships. The Mustangs responded with their best meet of the season. Four Athletes broke 16 minutes, and seven athletes (including open race) broke 18 minutes. It was the first meet in Northside history, in which four athletes broke 16 minutes! The Northside Mustangs also broke the SCHOOL RECORD for wins in a season with a final record of 145-31!
Elmhurst York won the 2008 IHSA Sectional Championship with 34 points. Loyola Academy finished in second place with 116 points. Fenwick finished in third place with 119 points. Maine South finished in fourth place with 162 points. Lake Park finished in fifth place with 179 points. Wheaton North finished in sixth place with 220 points.
Northside College Prep finished in seventh place with 224 points (28, 33, 34, 45, 84). Northside College Prep improved from 17th to 7th place in one year!!! The Mustangs posted victories over Oak Park River Forrest (256 Points, 8th), Leyden (280 points, 9th), Glenbard East (291 points, 10th), Mather (295 points, 11th), Lane Tech (296 points, 12th), Niles North (303 points, 13th), Evanston (311 Points, 14th), Niles West (358 points, 15th), St. Ignatius (381 points, 16th), Morton (390 points, 17th), Glenbard West (392 points, 18th), St. Patrick (532 points, 19th), and Whitney Young (541 points, 20th).
Northside Sophomore Charlie Mesimore led the Mustangs by placing 28th overall with an outstanding time of 15:40. Charlie Mesimore dropped 1 minute and 8 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championships on the same course! Charlie Mesimore is one of the most valuable and most improved athletes on the Team. Charlie Mesimore came within 9 seconds of qualifying for State as an individual. Charlie Mesimore ran the first mile in 4:58, and then ran the second mile in 5:25 (10:23), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:17 for an outstanding time of 15:40!!!
Northside Sophomore Wesley Laytham finished second for the Mustangs by placing 33rd overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 15:43. Wesley Laytham dropped 1 minute and 4 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championships on the same course! Wesley Laytham is also one of the most improved athletes on the Team. Wesley Laytham ran the third fastest time in Northside history! Wesely Laytham also came within 12 seconds of qualifying for State as an individual. Wesley Laytham ran the first mile in 5:07, and then ran the second mile in 5:19 (10:26), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:17 for a personal best time of 15:43!!!
Northside Captain Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss finished third for the Mustangs by placing 34th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 15:45. Junior Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss dropped 36 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championships on the same course! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the fourth fastest time in Northside history! Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss also came within 15 seconds of qualifying for State as an individual. Cuitlahuac Pineda Youniss ran the first mile in 5:04, and then ran the second mile in 5:21 (10:25), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:20 for a personal best time of 15:45!!!
Northside Junior Cooper Eben finished fourth for the Mustangs by placing 45th overall with an outstanding time of 15:58. Cooper Eben dropped 1 minute and 8 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championships on the same course! Cooper Eben has been one of the hardest working, and mentally toughest athletes on the Team. Cooper Eben ran the first mile in 5:07, and then ran the second mile in 5:30 (10:37), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:21 for an outstanding time of 15:58!!!
Northside Captain Jonathan Kittaka finished fifth for the Mustangs by placing 84th overall with an outstanding time of 16:25. Jonathan Kittaka dropped 13 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championships on the same course! Senior Jonathan Kittaka ran the first mile in 5:22, and then ran the second mile in 5:37 (10:59), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:24 for an outstanding time of 16:25!!! Among other honors, Jonathan Kittaka will be honored with a Senior Varsity Letter blanket at the Team banquet.
Northside Freshman Taylor Kuehn finished sixth for the Mustangs by placing 126th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:10. Taylor Kuehn dropped 48 seconds from the IHSA Regional Championships! Taylor Kuehn ran the first mile in 5:30, and then ran the second mile in 5:52 (11:22), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:48 for a personal best time of 17:10!!! It was the third fastest time ever run by a Northside Freshman.
Northside Senior Craig Melhuse finished seventh for the Mustangs by placing 130th overall with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:19. Craig Melhuse dropped 38 seconds from the IHSA Regional Championship open race! Craig Melhuse ran the first mile in 5:32, and then ran the second mile in 5:58 (11:30), and then ran the final mile in a NEGATIVE split of 5:49 for a personal best time of 17:19. Among other honors, Criag Melhuse will be honored with a Senior Varsity Letter blanket at the Team banquet.
The Northside Mustangs (145-31) went from 17th place to 7th place in the IHSA Sectional Championship in one year, and also WON the IHSA Regional Championships, Pat Savage Invitational, and the St. Patrick Invitational! The Northside Mustangs will be honored at the biggest banquet in the history of Northside College Prep at Hackney's in Glenview, Illinois on Saturday, November 15, 2008.
After the Varsity race, Northside #8 - #12 runners, and Northside Cal Ripken, Jr. Award winners toed the starting line against Wheaton North's #8 - #12 runners in an open race.
The Mustangs were led by Sophomore Dominic Sieminski. Dominic Sieminski ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:04! Dominic Sieminski dropped 58 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championship open race! Dominic Sieminski ran the first mile in 5:35, and then ran the second mile in 5:55 (11:30), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 5:34 for a personal best time of 17:04!!!
Northside Junior Jiasong Yang finished second for the Mustangs in the open race with an outstanding time of 17:22. Jiasong Yang ran the first mile in 5:30, and then ran the second mile in 5:56 (11:26), and then ran a equal split of 5:56 for an outstanding time of 17:22!!!
Northside Sophomore Erik Zuehlke finished third for the Mustangs in the open race with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:39. Erik Zuehlke ran the first mile in 5:35, and then ran the second mile in 6:03 (11:38), and then ran a NEGATIVE split of 6:00 for a personal best time of 17:39!!!
Northside Sophomore Fahad Sarvari finished fourth for the Mustangs in the open race with a PERSONAL BEST time of 17:56. Fahad Sarvari ran the first mile in 5:34, and then ran the second mile in 6:11 (11:45), and then ran a equal split 6:11 for a personal best time of 17:56!!!
Northside Captain Simon Vecchioni finished fifth for the Mustangs in the open race to complete the scoring and the Northside Top 12 with an outstanding time of 18:10. Simon Vecchioni dropped 42 seconds from the 2007 IHSA Sectional Championship open race. Simon Vecchioni ran the first mile in 5:35, and then ran the second mile in 6:17 (11:52), and then ran the final mile in 6:18 for an outstanding time of 18:10. Among other honors, Simon Vecchioni will be honored with a Senior Varsity Letter blanket at the Team banquet. Simon Vecchioni has been one of the best Team Captains in Northside history and holds numerous school records in the weight room and Track.
Northside Sophomore Luis Gaytan, tri-winner of the Cal Ripken, Jr. Award, ran an outstanding time of 19:18. Luis Gaytan ran the first mile in 5:54, and then ran the second mile in 6:48 (12:42), and then ran the final mile in 6:36 for an outstanding time of 19:18.
Northside Junior Andrew Czyszczon, tri-winner of the Cal Ripken, Jr. Award, ran a PERSONAL BEST time of 20:18. Andrew Czyszczon ran the first mile in 6:09, and then ran the second mile in 7:14 (13:23), and then ran the final mile in 6:45 for an outstanding time of 20:18.
The two most improved Teams in the 2008 IHSA Sectional Championships were Northside College Prep and Loyola Academy. Northside went from 17th place to 7th place in one year. Loyola Academy went from 9th place to 2nd place in one year. Northside will continue to work hard to make a similiar jump in the standings in 2009. The Northside Varsity Men could potentially put 4 athletes under 15 minutes and 3 athletes under 16 minutes in 2009, which would put them in contention for the State Title in 2009!
The Northside Varsity Men and Varsity Women will have a mandatory TEAM meeting, on Monday, November 3, 2008 at 3:30 pm in the Teacher's lounge. Please turn in your uniform in a bag with your name on it, and please hang-on to your warm-ups for Track season. Thanks.
