Chicago Public League Sports Blog

Dylan and other "track" guys to run cross country!?

 
Dylan Allingham (bottom left), shown here with his Lane Tech teammates after they won the Fall 2008 city varsity soccer championship, has already won a city championship in two completely different sports (soccer and track).  If he joins cross country, he has a chance to become the rare athlete to have won a city championship in three different sports.

According to Lane Tech assistant track and cross country coach Tony Jones:

"Former Lane soccer standout Dylan Allingham has announced his intentions of becoming a full-time runner by forgoing his senior year for the kickers. "

The addition of Dylan Allingham, the defending 800 meter champion will bring an extra weapon to the already powerful Lane Tech cross country arsenal. The Lane Tech soccer team will have a blow, because Dylan has been the starting forward the past two years. With Dylan Lane's soccer team won the CPS city championship 2 years ago and advanced to the city semi-finals last year.

The soccer teams lost will be the cross country team gain. Tony Jones did not indicate how many or if Dylan will even run any cross country races. But only that Dylan's intention is to run full-time his senior year. Even if Dylan does not run cross country races, I'm sure his mere presence and commitment he took can only help the Lane Tech team. Come on, this is a guy who gave up a starting spot on a very good Lane Tech soccer team. Soccer is very popular at Lane. At last year's tryout and first day of practice, I saw about 100 guys on the field.  Soccer is intense at Lane.

Dylan's move into running sports does make sense. He is after all the defending city 800 meter champion and with some expert coaching could make an even bigger impact his senior year.

Dylan is not the only track runner that may run cross country. Word is that Northside Prep has some track runners coming out for cross country. 400 meter standout Mac Melto (jr), impactful middle distance Ezra Edgerton, and jumper Josh Williams (jr) are training with Northside Prep this summer.

Urban Prep also has hurdler Isreal Durley (sr) expected to run cross country.

The biggest of them all may be all-state 3200 meter runner Jeffrey Rector. Rector plays football in the fall, but I heard that there is a chance he may run on Roosevelt's new cross country team. If Rector does run, then things will really get interesting

Anthony Davis of Calumet Video Interview

When you are talented, you will be found. It also helps being 6-10 and having skillz. Anthony Davis is a one of the most highly recruited basketball players in the state of Illinois.

Former Taft Star Howard Moore to Head UIC?

Former Taft star (class of 1990) Howard Moore (right), now an assistant at Wisconsin.(UW photo)

Howard Moore is a basketball legend at Taft. In 1990 he led Taft all the way to the Chicago Public League semi-finals. After college he played for the University of Wisconsin and is now an assistant coach for the Badgers. In 1999, he was named to the Chicago Public League hall of fame.

There is a chance that Howard Moore may be going home as he is rumored to be one of the leading candidates for the vacant University of Illinois at Chicago head coaching job.

Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech class of 2007) Directing the Chicago Got Game Basketball and Leadership Camp

Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech class of 2007) was 2 time city runner up and state wrestling qualifier for Lane and now attends the University of Chicago. He is helping run a unique basketball camp called Chicago Got Game. I'll let him tell about it in his own words....

Download Chicago Got Game Brochure July 22

I hope everything is going well, this is Jamelle Williams, the Lane Tech wrestler from 2007.  I am just writing to tell you about a basketball camp that I am help designing, as a part of an organization that I am deeply invested in on campus.  Currently I am a mentor captain for Moneythink, which is a financial literacy organization where we mentor urban high school students on the south side about basic financial economics, budgeting, and entrepreneurship.  This past June, we held the 2nd Annual Moneythink Young Entrepreneurs Conference, where our students composed mock business proposals to venture capitalists and business professionals.  One pitch was made by two of my students, Hales Franciscan basketball standouts Patrick Miller, and Jamie Adams.  They pitched the idea of Chicago Got Game, which is a basketball camp for varsity athletes which will incorporate Moneythink's values into the curriculum.  Basically a camp that employs components of leadership and goal setting.  Their idea was so tremendous that Moneythink has decided to make their plan come to life, and has already won over $2000 in grant money for the launch of the camp.

The camp will be held at the University of Chicago's lab school from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM from Tuesday August 17th - Thursday August 19th.  We have already secured former Chicago Bull Randy Brown, NU's All-Big Ten PG Mike Thompson (Lincoln Park standout), UChicago Econ professor Allen Sanderson, and members of Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs.  I am currently the director of outreach, responsible for recruiting varsity athletes to attend.  With that said I was wondering if you could possibly write a blog post advertising the camp on the website.  We are targeting urban CPS athletes but are opening up to any basketball players since it has been extremely tough to get in contact with varsity coaches. 

I have attached the camp brochure for your viewing.  It has more information about the camp, Moneythink, and the registration process, which is conducted online.  If you could post some information on your website, endorsing the camp and encouraging participants, that would be absolutely wonderful and truly appreciated.

Special Event Guests include:
Randy Brown, former Chicago Bull from 1996-1998
Michael Thompson, Former All State PG from Lincoln Park, All Big Ten PG at Northwestern

Camp Info

Exciting Basketball Camp Opportunity!

This August, Moneythink Financial Literacy is launching Chicago Got Game, a 3-day basketball and leadership camp from August 17-19th.  Chicago Got Game will bring together 40 of the best Chicagoland HS Varsity basketball players for a truly unique basketball experience to prepare them for college and life afterward, on the court and off the court.  Along with an elite basketball curriculum, hoopers will learn and develop life skills that extends beyond basketball.

Campers will learn about:
NCAA recruiting process and secrets
Balancing life as a collegiate student athlete
Practical goal setting
Leadership development on the court, and off the court

Special Event Guests include:
Randy Brown, former Chicago Bull from 1996-1998
Michael Thompson, Former All State PG from Lincoln Park, All Big Ten PG at Northwestern
Allen Sanderson, Economics Professor at University of Chicago
University of Chicago Basketball Team

Registration Information
The camp will be held at the University of Chicago Lab High School 1362 E. 59th St, from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.  Campers will receive a camp jersey and snacks daily.  If you are interested, fill out the application at www.tinyurl.com/chicagogotgame by August 10.  Spots are limited so sign-up ASAP.  Pre-registration fee is only $25, at the door $35.

For more questions please reach out to Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech graduate 2007) at jrwill165@gmail.com or (773) 573-5955.

About Moneythink:

MONEYTHINK is an award-winning financial literacy mentoring program founded in 2008 at the University of Chicago that connects talented college mentors with inner-city high school students, where students learn the basics of entrepreneurship, economic life skills, as well as goal-setting through the power of peer mentoring.  Currently we have 35 mentors teaching at 7 Chicago Public Schools and has produced 1,400 graduates, and is expanding into campuses in St. Louis and Florida. For more information visit www.moneythink.org 

Summer Workouts, Part 3 - Mixing in More Intense Workouts

 

***Warning – Do not use these workouts if you are already in full time summer running program.  Please listen to your coach. ***

There are several ways to safely increase your intensity over the summer.  During the summer, runners should not only be increasing their endurance base, but they should be preparing their bodies for quality running during the season.  It is not enough to show up for the season, runners should be capable of doing long repeats at race pace.  It is not unusual for cross country teams to start the season with mile and ¾ mile repeats.  8 mile long runs will not prepare you to train at race pace.

The problem with doing more intense, faster running over the summer is that you are also increasing the probability of injuries.  Most coaches look forward to getting a healthy team in the beginning of the season.  Keep in mind, while you are planning your summer workouts you are also trying to stay healthy.

Over the summer, I don’t think runners should do more than two intense workouts per week.  I would recommend postponing any intense workout if you have any meaningful pain, especially lower leg pain.  I have stated in a prior article that hard working runners should not feel pressured to run through pain over the summer.  If you have done your job the whole summer, taking a few days off to recover from injuries should not hurt your season.

Ways to increase the pace over the summer:

Racing – I would not recommend racing more that twice a month over the summer.  I recommend racing over the summer because it keeps athletes motivated.  So often, athletes forget why they are training over the summer.   Track races, road races and the occasional cross country race can be found throughout the summer.  With the help of the internet, you should have no problem finding them.

Fartleks – Fartleks are runs where you alternate the pace that you are running at.  This workout can be custom fitted to the athlete’s specific training requirements.  For example, an 800 runner can do 200 (Race pace), 200 (recovery) for an entire 2 mile run.  A 5k runner can do (800 race pace, 400 recovery) for 4.5 miles.  If you can’t run that long, then cut it down (600 with 400 recovery) for 2.5 miles.  The point is to increase your leg turnover and simulate some of the conditions of a race, i.e., the heavy breathing, the lactic acid build-up in the legs and the pacing.  I often see beginners go out too fast for their first run and then not having enough energy to finish the workout.  I would prefer the athlete go a little slower in the beginning until he or she gets the feel for this type of workout.  A couple of times over the summer I would get bored and change this workout to “tree to tree”.  Every time I would run by a tree, I would alternate the pace.  It’s not much, but it would take away some of the monotony of running.

Tempo Runs – My introduction to tempo runs happened in college.  Let me inform you that tempo runs suck.  They are not fun.  Tempo runs typically last 20 to 25 minutes at pace of (30 to 45) seconds slower than your race pace.  A 17 minute 5K runner would run about 6:00 to 6:15 pace for about 22 minutes.  If you do it right, you should be pretty tired after that.

Intervals or Repeats – The bread and butter of training!  Interval training is part of most successful training programs.  Not only is it used in running, but also in other endurance sports such as swimming, speed skating and rowing.  Everyone and their mother has an opinion on the pace, the amount of rest and the amount of intervals you should do.  I love 800s and 400s, but remember you are just trying to get ready for the beginning of the season.  Long repeats with medium rest are traditionally associated with summer interval training.  Both my high school and college coaches believed in mile repeats early in the season.  I believe in long intervals over the summer but I understand that they are hard to do if you are on your own.  If you feel you can’t do long intervals, do 800s until you find someone to workout with or until you can work your way up to ¾ or mile repeats.

 

Neilski's Fall 2010 Pre-Season CPS Football Rankings

Simeon opens as the clear cut pre-season #1

1. Simeon
2. Hubbard
3. Curie
4. Morgan Park
5. Robeson
6. King
7. Lane Tech
8. Orr
9. Brooks
10. Harlan
11. Dunbar
12. CVS
13. Bogan
14. Mather
15. Raby
16. Taft
17. Julian
18. Whitney Young
19. Amundsen
20. Fenger

on the verge: Senn, Lincoln Park, Steinmetz, Foreman, Marshall, Clark, Dyett, Calumet, Kelvyn Park

Walleye Fishing

I'll be up in Chippewa National Forest in remote northern Minnesota for some walleye fishing and camping starting today until Monday, August 2, 2010. Upper Minnesota- home of bears, bucks, and bobcats (no they are not from Chicago, Milwaukee, or Charlotte).

There will still be daily post in this blog (I'm writing the posts in advance and will publish some guest blogging material), but I will not be monitoring the comments on the blog as I will not have internet access while I'm up there. Even with wireless internet, there are parts of America (like in the middle of lake in remote Minnesota) which does not have internet. So for the next week, the blog comments will be free for all.

I am happy to report that so far this summer page views on this site has been about 3 times the amount it has been last summer.

I appreciate the contributions and comments readers have made to this site. Summer is always the slowest season for high school sports - but then again to the best individuals there is no off season.

- Neilski
Publisher
www.CPSFan.com

University of Chicago Track Club Meet #5

University of Chicago Track Club Meet #5 - Results (updated link)

The University of Chicago Track Club held an outdoor track meet earlier this month.

The meet is open to any individual as well as to members of track clubs.

Several local CPS runners ran the meet, mostly as fitness tests - not hardcore racing.

Some names you may recognize:

100 meter
Isreal Durley (sr)- Urban Prep - 11.6

800 meter
Daniel Medrano (so) - Brooks - 2:06.9

Mile
Lucas Beltran (jr) - Lane Tech - 5:00.1
Jimmy Orellana (sr) - Lane Tech - 5:03.4
Nathan Beltran (jr)- Whitney Young - 5:04.0
Kevin Perez (jr) - Lane Tech - 5:07.0

Deep by Design - Lane Tech Cross Country Team Preview

You can always count on a sea of Myrtle and Gold at every CPS cross country meet. At Lane, coaches work hard to have good numbers at every level. The result is a competitive top 7 every year. At the end of the year, all you need is 7....But a good 7 takes 4 years in the making and that starts with getting a big group of freshman that can be developed. Pictured above is a mass of Indians at the start of the St. Patrick Invitational - the first meet of the season last year.

Here is the 2010 Lane Tech Boys Cross Country outlook.

by: Tony Jones

Projected varsity roster: Lucas Beltran (Jr.), Kevin Perez (Jr.), Ellias Gebrekidane (Sr.), Jimmy Orellana (Sr.), Dylan Allingham (Sr.), Danny Zimney-Schmitt (Jr.), Marcelo Burbano (So.), David Timlin (Jr.), Eduardo Bustamante (Sr.), Edwin Lira (Sr.), Carlo Zimora (Sr.), George Chronis (sr).
 
Outlook: there can only be good or bad- not a combination.  This year's Lane Tech crew is either going to be good or bad but not both.  The departure of longtime ace Kulayifi Haji (now at Southern IL U) will signal the change of the guard.  Lucas Beltran moves into the spotlight as the team's top runner and captain.  So far, he has taken that mantle well by leading by example in his summer training.  The rest of the guys have fallen in line.  Middle distance runners Kevin Perez, Eduardo Bustamante, George Chronis, and David Timlin have added a healthy amount of miles on their legs. Sophomore standout Marcelo Burbano has returned from Australia in great shape as he has clunged on to the top pack in runs.  A possible surprise in the making is Ellias Gebrekidane.  This is a kid who has been on the jv squad for the previous three years before busting out with 10:59.9 and 4:59 marks this past Spring in track.  He is looking great so far this summer.  Former Lane soccer standout Dylan Allingham has announced his intentions of becoming a full-time runner by forgoing his senior year for the kickers.  He will be a welcomed addition to the Indians.
 
The goals of the team are pretty simple: win city championship, win regional title, and advance to state championship.  Right now we are concentrating very hard on getting our 1-5 and 1-7 splits :45 to 1:00.  We are banking on our #1 runner to be around 15:05-15:10 at the end of the season.  The thinking is since the majority of our runners are strong pack runners they will be able to hold on late in races and use their speed and strength to gut out quality performances.
 
Key training runs have been going well so far. I've noticed that our cruise interval sessions have been progressing well each week- the times dropping with the back of the pack holding strong.  The guys will be ready for our first big race at Peoria Notre Dame on 9/18.  In the meantime, we still have a ton of summer training goals to accomplish first.  Our thinking is: "train to race" not "race to train."

Related
Von Steuben - cross country team preview
Lincoln Park - cross country team preview
Roosevelt - cross country team preview
Payton - cross country team preview
Lake View - cross country team preview
Whitney Young - cross country team preview

Neilski's Pre-Season CPS Cross Country Rankings

Von Steuben to Run at Gordon Tech Invite for First Time

Look out for an improved Michael Gulan (jr) form Von Steuben. Von Steuben has a developing cross country program and hopes to take another step up this year.

Von Steuben will be running at the Gordon Tech Invite on Saturday September 11. Northside Prep will be there also.

The Gordon Tech Invite at the tough Horner Park course always gives a good indication of where teams are at near the start of the year. Von Steuben's goal is to have a full team of runners (at least 5) at all levels. Let's see if they can deliver on that goal.

Michael Gulan, an all city at the frosh-soph meet last year, for Von Steuben will be vastly improved. He is a junior who should be running in the 17's this season.  Great for Von Steuben standards.

As a sophomore last year he started out running two miles in the high 12's. By city he got down to 11:57.

By track he took another leap, Gulan ran a season best 52.5 in the 400 meters at last year.