Gunn wins at Lincoln WayThe Marist boys track team visited Lincoln Way East for a tri-meet with Providence Catholic on Tuesday, February 17.
Junior Julian Gunn set three personal bests. To start the meet, Gunn jumped 6.40 meters (21-00) for second in the long jump, and then he ran 6.85 seconds to win the 55m dash. He also won the triple jump (11.70m, 38-04). Junior Kevin Finn won the 1600 meter run (5:07.03), and then he anchored the 4x400 relay with a 54.5 split for a come-from-behind win (4:02.45). Senior Matt Forbes (59.9), junior Dylan O'Leary (64.6), and junior Kevin Shannon (62.5) joined Finn for the win. Senior Ben Klancnik won the 500 meter in 1:27.53. It is not a distance that is run often, but it was his first race win of his 4-year career in cross country and track and field. Results from Lincoln Way East, February 17 |
Senior Ben Klancnik won the 500 meter in 1:27.53.
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2026 season opens at EvanstonThe Marist boys track team opened its 2026 season at Evanston High School with some strong performances against Evanston, Loyola, Saint Ignatius, and Brother Rice.
Senior Patrick Wynn, a state qualifier and conference champion last year, won the high jump ( 1.80m 5-10.75) and took second in the triple jump (12.36m 40-06.75). Junior Kevin Finn won the 600 meters (1:29.38). At the frosh soph level, sophomore Nasif Taylor won the high jump (1.75m 5-08.75). Sophomore Owen Butler took second in the 1600 (5:15.74). "We had a lot of freshmen competing in a track meet for the first time, and even after just three weeks of practice, they looked like strong track athletes," said Coach Ed Ernst. "Our team will improve and get better!" |
Julian Gunn jumped 11.63 meters (38-02) for third place in the triple jump at Evanston
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Close but 2nd at Conference
The Marist boys track team faced disappointment and adversity—and came up short of a win—at the East Suburban Catholic Conference track championship held at Notre Dame on Tuesday, May 13! The final totals for the top teams were Benet 117, Marist 106, Notre Dame 75, and Joliet Catholic 68. Marist entered the meet as underdog, but had a strong day in the field events to start the day. In the long jump, sophomores Myles Travis (6.29m) and Julian Gunn (6.10m) placed second and third. In the high jump, senior Braiden Ferrell (5-11) was second and junior Patrick Wynn (5-09) was third. Then Wynn was a surprise winner in the triple jump with a personal best 12.76 meters (41-10). Then, in the second track event, senior Jerome Harris took the baton in sixth place and charged into second with 25 meters to go. Then he pulled up with a leg injury, finishing out of the points in seventh. Harris could not compete in the 100 or 200, events in which he was expected to score, and while the team fought hard, it could not recover. 
At the Oak Lawn Spartan Invite, senior Christian Kokot won the 300 hurdles and took second in the 110s. Photo by Jill Schirmacher.
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At the ESCC 2025 track championships, senior Christian Kokot won the 110 high hurdles (15.35) and 300 intermediate hurdles (40.01 PB). Photo: Ignacy Berezowski.
Close 2nd at Oak Lawn!Marist went to the Spartan Invite at Oak Lawn High School expecting to chase Chicago Catholic League indoor champion Brother Rice—and the Redhawks beat the Crusaders, 113 to 109. But Richards snuck by Marist to win the meet title with 121.5 points.
Cold, wet, and windy conditions hurt performances. But Marist had a big day in the relays. Seniors Matt McKee, Jason Gaines, and Ethan Phillips, with sophomore Kevin Finn, dominated the meet’s opening event on the track, running 8:22.24 for the 4x800. Marist took second in the 4x200 in 1:34.58, as seniors Braiden Ferrell, DJ Travis, and Jerome Harris combined with sophomore Myles Travis. In the 4x400 at the end of the meet, senior Michael McDonnell, joined Finn, McKee, and Gaines to take second in 3:36.39. The individual star of the meet was senior Christian Kokot, who ran a personal best 41.06 to win the 300 intermediate hurdles, after taking second in the 110 high hurdles in another personal best time of 15.58. Junior Patrick Wynn took second in the high jump (1.78m, or 5’8”) and in the triple jump, with a personal best of 12.52m, or 41’1”. Senior Jadyn Stevenson took third in the discus, throwing a personal best 37.62m or 123’5”. “There were tough conditions tonight, and it hurts to come so close and fall short,” said Coach Ed Ernst. “We needed a couple more big efforts from our best guys. Let’s hope we get them in next week at the Rice Relays.” Official results link: www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/581355/results/all |
Big Relay Day at Stagg
At the first away outdoor varsity invitational meet of the spring season, the Redhawks rolled out their relays.
The first varsity race on the track was the 4x800, and seniors Matt McKee (2:04) and Jason Gaines (2:04) joined sophomores Kevin Finn (2:01.5) and Brendan McMonigal (2:09) to take third place in 8:18.86. Next up, in the 4x100, sophomore Myles Travis joined seniors Jake Ritter, DJ Travis, and Jerome Harris for a second place effort in 43.99. Later in the meet, the same group took third in the 4x200 in a time of 1:33.84. In the meet’s final event, the 4x400, seniors Michael McDonnell, Braiden Ferrell, and McKee combined with Finn for a fourth place effort in a time of 3:39.66.
In individual events, the only Marist winning effort came from Ferrell, who won the high jump (1.85m or 6’01.5”). Ferrell also took third in the 400 (52.20). Senior Christian Kokot took second in both hurdles races, with personal best times in the 110 high hurdles (15.87) and 300 intermediate hurdles (41.82). Senior Jerome Harris ran a personal best time of 11.32 in the 100 for third place.
Marist scored 67 points to take third in the team race, behind winner Oswego East (150) and second place Joliet West (94). Marist beat seven other teams.
“This was a good day in our first big outdoor invite,” said Coach Ed Ernst. “Guys took advantage of a really nice weather day with some good performances. But we are going to have to do even better to compete in the other South Suburban invitationals in coming weeks ahead.”
Official results link: www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/590164/results/all
The first varsity race on the track was the 4x800, and seniors Matt McKee (2:04) and Jason Gaines (2:04) joined sophomores Kevin Finn (2:01.5) and Brendan McMonigal (2:09) to take third place in 8:18.86. Next up, in the 4x100, sophomore Myles Travis joined seniors Jake Ritter, DJ Travis, and Jerome Harris for a second place effort in 43.99. Later in the meet, the same group took third in the 4x200 in a time of 1:33.84. In the meet’s final event, the 4x400, seniors Michael McDonnell, Braiden Ferrell, and McKee combined with Finn for a fourth place effort in a time of 3:39.66.
In individual events, the only Marist winning effort came from Ferrell, who won the high jump (1.85m or 6’01.5”). Ferrell also took third in the 400 (52.20). Senior Christian Kokot took second in both hurdles races, with personal best times in the 110 high hurdles (15.87) and 300 intermediate hurdles (41.82). Senior Jerome Harris ran a personal best time of 11.32 in the 100 for third place.
Marist scored 67 points to take third in the team race, behind winner Oswego East (150) and second place Joliet West (94). Marist beat seven other teams.
“This was a good day in our first big outdoor invite,” said Coach Ed Ernst. “Guys took advantage of a really nice weather day with some good performances. But we are going to have to do even better to compete in the other South Suburban invitationals in coming weeks ahead.”
Official results link: www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/590164/results/all
Home meet win!
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In the first outdoor meet of the season, the Marist Redhawks boys track team won the Jon Gordon Invite on their home track on Saturday, April 5. Marist scored 123 points to defeat Leo (59.5), Fenwick (51), and Chicago Ag (31).
Marist won 11 events out of 18 total: Julian Gunn, LJ Braiden Ferrell, HJ Jadyn Stevenson, Discus Jerome Harris, 100M Jake Ritter, 200M Michael McDonnell, 400M Kevin Finn, 800M Danny Walczak, 1600M Matt Mckee, 3200M 4x100 Relay: Harris, Ritter, McDonnell, Myles Travis 4x400 Relay: Finn, McKee, Matty McNicholas, Ethan Phillips Athletic.net results |
At the Jon Gordon Invite, Senior Matt McKee won the 3200M run with a solo effort and a personal best time of 9 minutes and 47.24 seconds. Photo credit: Ignacy Berezowski.
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ESCC Indoor Invite Champs!
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It wasn't an official conference championship, but six of the nine East Suburban Catholic Conference boys teams went head to head at North Central College's indoor track on Saturday, March 22. And when the dust settled, Marist had pulled out a close win over Benet, 147 points to 143.
Senior Braiden Ferrell was the big star for the Redhawks, winning the high jump (1.87m or 6-02) and the 400-meters (51.88). Ferrell also finished fourth in the 200 (23.84), for a total of 25 team points. |
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Finally, a trophy at Honoegah!
After a few near miss fails, the Marist boys track team finally closed the deal on a trophy at the Honongegah Indoor Classic on Saturday, March 15. The Redhawks put together a strong team effort to score 76 points, finishing behind a dominant performance by Oswego East with 136 points, but besting Belvidere North (71), Hononegah (70), and eighteen other 3A Illinois high schools.
Senior Braiden Ferrell was star-of-the-meet for Marist with 19 points scored, winning the high jump (1.88m 6-02), and then taking third in the 400m (52.24) and sixth in the 200m (23.72). Senior TJ Girzadas won the pole vault (4.01m 13-02) for 10 more points.
Then the Redhawks scored points in six other individual events and four relays. Sophomore Myles Travis took third in the long jump (6.36m 20-08), with sophomore Julian Gunn seventh (6.15m 20-02). Senior Jason Gaines ran a strong 600m for third (1:28.81). Junior Patrick Wynn was fourth in the high jump (1.78m 5-10). Senior Christian Kokot took fifth in the 60 high hurdles (9.01). Senior Matt McKee was seventh in the 800 (2:04.75). The varsity 4x800 relay (8:59.87) with four seniors—Matt Forbes (2:18), Tony Uchman (2:11), Danny Walczak (2:17), and Ethan Phillips (2:14)—scored fifth place points, and the varsity 4x400, also with four seniors, placed third (3:38.67): Michael McDonnell (53.4), Jason Gaines (54.5), DJ Travis (55.4), and Matt McKee (55.1).
It is a quirk of the Hononegah Indoor Classic that frosh-soph relays actually score points that count in the varsity meet. Without frosh-soph relays, Belvidere North actually outscored the Redhawks. But two frosh-soph relays scored 12 points total for Marist. In the frosh-soph 4x400 sophomores Julian Gunn (58.0), Justin Hampton (61.0), and anchor Kevin Finn (55.3), with freshman Luke Walczak (59.7), combined for important fifth place points (3:54.21). In the 4x800, Finn (2:08) got the team to the lead on the first leg. Then sophomores Nick Frenzel (2:19), Dylan O’Leary (2:23) stayed close to the front of the race, so that anchor Brendan McMonigal (2:14) could close with a strong finish for second place (9:04.40).
“It is a long bus ride to Hononegah from Chicago’s South Side,” said coach Ed Ernst. “But it was a very happy late night ride home. A lot of guys had to score points in order for us finally to bring home our first trophy of the season!”
Senior Braiden Ferrell was star-of-the-meet for Marist with 19 points scored, winning the high jump (1.88m 6-02), and then taking third in the 400m (52.24) and sixth in the 200m (23.72). Senior TJ Girzadas won the pole vault (4.01m 13-02) for 10 more points.
Then the Redhawks scored points in six other individual events and four relays. Sophomore Myles Travis took third in the long jump (6.36m 20-08), with sophomore Julian Gunn seventh (6.15m 20-02). Senior Jason Gaines ran a strong 600m for third (1:28.81). Junior Patrick Wynn was fourth in the high jump (1.78m 5-10). Senior Christian Kokot took fifth in the 60 high hurdles (9.01). Senior Matt McKee was seventh in the 800 (2:04.75). The varsity 4x800 relay (8:59.87) with four seniors—Matt Forbes (2:18), Tony Uchman (2:11), Danny Walczak (2:17), and Ethan Phillips (2:14)—scored fifth place points, and the varsity 4x400, also with four seniors, placed third (3:38.67): Michael McDonnell (53.4), Jason Gaines (54.5), DJ Travis (55.4), and Matt McKee (55.1).
It is a quirk of the Hononegah Indoor Classic that frosh-soph relays actually score points that count in the varsity meet. Without frosh-soph relays, Belvidere North actually outscored the Redhawks. But two frosh-soph relays scored 12 points total for Marist. In the frosh-soph 4x400 sophomores Julian Gunn (58.0), Justin Hampton (61.0), and anchor Kevin Finn (55.3), with freshman Luke Walczak (59.7), combined for important fifth place points (3:54.21). In the 4x800, Finn (2:08) got the team to the lead on the first leg. Then sophomores Nick Frenzel (2:19), Dylan O’Leary (2:23) stayed close to the front of the race, so that anchor Brendan McMonigal (2:14) could close with a strong finish for second place (9:04.40).
“It is a long bus ride to Hononegah from Chicago’s South Side,” said coach Ed Ernst. “But it was a very happy late night ride home. A lot of guys had to score points in order for us finally to bring home our first trophy of the season!”
Marist flies high on top of scoreboard
for five hours at ICOPS,
but gives up trophy spots in last event
for five hours at ICOPS,
but gives up trophy spots in last event
Senior Braiden Ferrell soars 1.97m personal best at ICOPS. Photo by Schirmacher.
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Senior TJ Girzadas clears his opening height.
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Senior Christian Kokot wins preliminary heat of 60HH.
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Athletic.net results
One hour into the ICOPS Invitational at North Central College on Saturday, March 1, the Redhawks were flying high. Senior TJ Girzadas won the pole vault with a jump of 4.11 meters (13 feet and 6 inches). Senior Braiden Ferrell won the high jump with a personal best of 1.92 meters (6-03.75), and junior Patrick Wynn scored fourth place points (1.77m or 5-11). Sophomore Myles Travis took fifth in the long jump (6.22m or 20-05). The Rehawks had amassed 29 points at the start of the meet and climbed to the top of the 26-team scoreboard.
Four hours later, as the teams lined up for the meet’s final event, the 4x400-meter relay, the Redhawks were in second place with 55 points behind leader Brother Rice with 70. Senior Matt McKee scored 11 points with third place in the 800 (2:02.75 PR) and fourth in the 1600 (4:35.69 SB). Senior Christian Kokot ran a personal best 8.80 in the 60m high hurdles for fourth place. Senior Jason Gaines scored sixth place points in the 800, and senior Jerome Harris scored eighth place in the 60-meter (7.19 PB). The Redhawks scored in two relays, running a season best 9:08.85 for eighth place in the 4x800 (Senior Matt Turner 2:21, senior Ethan Phillips 2:13, senior Danny Walczak 2:22, and sophomore Brendan McMonigal 2:13) and a season best of 1:37.25 for fifth in the 4x200 (Ferrell 23.9, Travis 24.1, senior DJ Travis 25.0, Harris 24.1).
The Redhawks took sixth place in the 4x400 in a season best 3:44.28 (Senior Michael Mcdonnell 56.3, Gaines 56.2, sophomore Kevin Finn 55.5, senior Cristian Lopez 56.0). But Loyola Academy won the race and DePaul College Prep took second, and both teams climbed over Marist in the final standings to take away a podium team trophy. Final scores: Brother Rice 76, Loyola 62, DePaul 59, Marist 58.
“Well, yeah, it was a disappointing ending to what was a really good day for our team,” said Coach Ed Ernst. “We had guys make big improvements today. We wanted a trophy to show that our East Suburban conference can compete with the Chicago Catholic League. But we will be back at North Central in two weeks for the East Suburban conference invitational, and we have incentive now to do just a little better.”
One hour into the ICOPS Invitational at North Central College on Saturday, March 1, the Redhawks were flying high. Senior TJ Girzadas won the pole vault with a jump of 4.11 meters (13 feet and 6 inches). Senior Braiden Ferrell won the high jump with a personal best of 1.92 meters (6-03.75), and junior Patrick Wynn scored fourth place points (1.77m or 5-11). Sophomore Myles Travis took fifth in the long jump (6.22m or 20-05). The Rehawks had amassed 29 points at the start of the meet and climbed to the top of the 26-team scoreboard.
Four hours later, as the teams lined up for the meet’s final event, the 4x400-meter relay, the Redhawks were in second place with 55 points behind leader Brother Rice with 70. Senior Matt McKee scored 11 points with third place in the 800 (2:02.75 PR) and fourth in the 1600 (4:35.69 SB). Senior Christian Kokot ran a personal best 8.80 in the 60m high hurdles for fourth place. Senior Jason Gaines scored sixth place points in the 800, and senior Jerome Harris scored eighth place in the 60-meter (7.19 PB). The Redhawks scored in two relays, running a season best 9:08.85 for eighth place in the 4x800 (Senior Matt Turner 2:21, senior Ethan Phillips 2:13, senior Danny Walczak 2:22, and sophomore Brendan McMonigal 2:13) and a season best of 1:37.25 for fifth in the 4x200 (Ferrell 23.9, Travis 24.1, senior DJ Travis 25.0, Harris 24.1).
The Redhawks took sixth place in the 4x400 in a season best 3:44.28 (Senior Michael Mcdonnell 56.3, Gaines 56.2, sophomore Kevin Finn 55.5, senior Cristian Lopez 56.0). But Loyola Academy won the race and DePaul College Prep took second, and both teams climbed over Marist in the final standings to take away a podium team trophy. Final scores: Brother Rice 76, Loyola 62, DePaul 59, Marist 58.
“Well, yeah, it was a disappointing ending to what was a really good day for our team,” said Coach Ed Ernst. “We had guys make big improvements today. We wanted a trophy to show that our East Suburban conference can compete with the Chicago Catholic League. But we will be back at North Central in two weeks for the East Suburban conference invitational, and we have incentive now to do just a little better.”
Marist takes second at UHigh Midway Miles #3 2-21-2025
Athletic.net results link
Team results with relay splits
The Marist boys track team scored 75 points for second place, behind Whitney Young (79 points), but ahead of eleven other Chicago schools, including DePaul College Prep and Saint Ignatius, at the University High Midway Miles #3 meet on Friday, February 21.
Senior Matt McKee was the lone event winner for the Redhawks, as he took control of the 1600 meters mid-race to win in a time of 4 minutes 38.68 seconds. McKee "negative split" the race, running the first half in 2:22 and the second half in 2:16. Back in the pack, freshman Owen Butler ran a personal best time of 5:19.15 for 11th place in the varsity meet.
Senior Jerome Harris took second in the 60-meter dash in 7.26 seconds, a personal best. Senior Jason Gaines ran 2:10.84 for third in the 800-meter run.
Senior Christian Kokot ran a personal best of 9.10 for second in the 60-meter hurdles. Kokot also placed fifth in the shot put with a pesonal best throw of 12.15 meters.
Seniors Braiden Ferrell (24.2), DJ Travis (24.8), and Jerome Harris (25.0), joined by sophomore Myles Travis (24.8), took second in the 4x200 relay in a season best time of 1:38.04.
Marist scored 21 points in the high jump. Junior Patrick Wynn cleared the same height as the winner, 1.85 meters or 6-feet and 0.75 inches, a personal best, but took second because he had more misses than first place. Braiden Ferrell took third (1.80), Ashton Daily fourth (1.80 personal record), and freshman Luke Walczak was seventh with a personal best of 1.55 meters.
Team results with relay splits
The Marist boys track team scored 75 points for second place, behind Whitney Young (79 points), but ahead of eleven other Chicago schools, including DePaul College Prep and Saint Ignatius, at the University High Midway Miles #3 meet on Friday, February 21.
Senior Matt McKee was the lone event winner for the Redhawks, as he took control of the 1600 meters mid-race to win in a time of 4 minutes 38.68 seconds. McKee "negative split" the race, running the first half in 2:22 and the second half in 2:16. Back in the pack, freshman Owen Butler ran a personal best time of 5:19.15 for 11th place in the varsity meet.
Senior Jerome Harris took second in the 60-meter dash in 7.26 seconds, a personal best. Senior Jason Gaines ran 2:10.84 for third in the 800-meter run.
Senior Christian Kokot ran a personal best of 9.10 for second in the 60-meter hurdles. Kokot also placed fifth in the shot put with a pesonal best throw of 12.15 meters.
Seniors Braiden Ferrell (24.2), DJ Travis (24.8), and Jerome Harris (25.0), joined by sophomore Myles Travis (24.8), took second in the 4x200 relay in a season best time of 1:38.04.
Marist scored 21 points in the high jump. Junior Patrick Wynn cleared the same height as the winner, 1.85 meters or 6-feet and 0.75 inches, a personal best, but took second because he had more misses than first place. Braiden Ferrell took third (1.80), Ashton Daily fourth (1.80 personal record), and freshman Luke Walczak was seventh with a personal best of 1.55 meters.
Myles Travis jumps 21-feet at Lincoln Way East 2-20-2025
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Athletic.net results link
Team results with relay splits
The Marist boys track freshmen, sophomores, and JV athletes competed at Lincoln Way East on Thursday, February 20, against Providence Catholic and the home team.
The meet highlight was a mark of 6.40 meters (21-00.00 feet) in the long jump by sophomore Myles Travis. He scored the only Marist win of the meet, and it ranked him in the top 25 for the state of Illinois.
Team results with relay splits
The Marist boys track freshmen, sophomores, and JV athletes competed at Lincoln Way East on Thursday, February 20, against Providence Catholic and the home team.
The meet highlight was a mark of 6.40 meters (21-00.00 feet) in the long jump by sophomore Myles Travis. He scored the only Marist win of the meet, and it ranked him in the top 25 for the state of Illinois.
Marist wins at UHigh Midway Miles 2-14-2025
Athletic.net results link
The Marist boys track team won its first meet of the year at University High's Midway Miles #2 meet on Friday, February 14, scoring 108 points to defeat Saint Ignatius (106), Mather (97), and ten other Chicago-area teams.
Senior Christian Kokot scored the team's first win early in the meet, taking first in the 60-meter high hurdles in a time of 9.50 seconds. In the next event, senior Jerome Harris won the 60-meter dash in a time of 7.35.
Senior Braiden Ferrell took two second place finishes, in the high jump with a leap of 1.83m (5-10) and in the 200 meters with a time of 24.55.
The Marist boys track team won its first meet of the year at University High's Midway Miles #2 meet on Friday, February 14, scoring 108 points to defeat Saint Ignatius (106), Mather (97), and ten other Chicago-area teams.
Senior Christian Kokot scored the team's first win early in the meet, taking first in the 60-meter high hurdles in a time of 9.50 seconds. In the next event, senior Jerome Harris won the 60-meter dash in a time of 7.35.
Senior Braiden Ferrell took two second place finishes, in the high jump with a leap of 1.83m (5-10) and in the 200 meters with a time of 24.55.
Season Opener at Evanston 2-08-2025
Athletic.net results link
The Marist Redhawks track team opened its season at Evanston High School in a meet with the home team, Loyola Academy, Saint Ignatius College Prep, Brother Rice High School, and Mt. Carmel.
The varsity team scored wins in three individual events. Senior Braiden Ferrell won the high jump with a leap of 1.80m (5-08). Senior Christian Kokot won the 55-meter low hurdles in 8.27 seconds; Kokot also took fourth in the 55-meter high hurdles in 8.53. Senior Matt McKee won the 800 meters in 2:11.51 seconds.
At the frosh-soph level, sophomore Sean Meade took second in both the 55-meter high hurdles (9.93) and 55-meter low hurdles (9.33). Sophomore Myles Travis placed second in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.16 seconds. Sophomores Brendan McMonigal, Dylan O'Leary, Nick Frenzel, and freshman Owen Butler took second in the 4x800 relay in 9:42.09.
The Marist Redhawks track team opened its season at Evanston High School in a meet with the home team, Loyola Academy, Saint Ignatius College Prep, Brother Rice High School, and Mt. Carmel.
The varsity team scored wins in three individual events. Senior Braiden Ferrell won the high jump with a leap of 1.80m (5-08). Senior Christian Kokot won the 55-meter low hurdles in 8.27 seconds; Kokot also took fourth in the 55-meter high hurdles in 8.53. Senior Matt McKee won the 800 meters in 2:11.51 seconds.
At the frosh-soph level, sophomore Sean Meade took second in both the 55-meter high hurdles (9.93) and 55-meter low hurdles (9.33). Sophomore Myles Travis placed second in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.16 seconds. Sophomores Brendan McMonigal, Dylan O'Leary, Nick Frenzel, and freshman Owen Butler took second in the 4x800 relay in 9:42.09.
Senior Braiden Ferrell won the high jump at Evanston.