Chicago Public League Sports Blog

Payton’s First Individual City Cross Country Champion

Jamie Hershfang (sr) became Payton's first city cross country champion by winning the girls varsity race.

The right girl won the Varsity Girl’s race at the City Championship this weekend at Washington Park. Jaime Hershfang has been waiting a year to take home the victory, from October of 2009 when she placed 6^th in the city with a time of 19:06. This year she improved on the same course by 38 seconds with arguably less competition. Although she may never say she is satisfied with her times, winning city meant a great deal to her. Jaime is one of the most competitive and hard working runners I know. She spent all summer training to make up for her disappointing 2009 cross country season in which she did not meet her expectation at Sectionals or State. Her 2009 season was plagued by inconsistent coaching and each race seemed to physically and emotionally drain her.

Ironically, a coaching change and a fresh mindset have led to Jaime’s success this season. Although I didn’t think it was possible, she came into this cross country season in even better shape than she was the year prior. In the beginning of the season when most of her competition was just getting back in shape, she was going on long runs averaging close to 7:00 flat per mile. Even on base days she always has the desire to push the pace and drop time. In her last year at Payton, she is leading arguably the best Varsity girl’s team Payton has ever had and hopefully all of them and not just Jaime can be running in November.

- Jonathan Kamel
Payton, class of 2012

Injuries are part of the game, Or are they?

Everyone sees that injuries are part of sports on any level, but more and more these days, high school athletes are running or playing through injuries that are extremely painful. No dedicated athlete ever wants to quit and let an injury get the better of him and I think the hardest thing in sports is watching your team have success while you are sidelined. But when does reason come into play and are some athletes pushing it too far and risking their health? For example, I know one senior who is running with a partially torn ACL, but he won't quit because its his last year of track. This shows alot of heart and dedication, but is it too risky? What are the limits and boudaries of playing sports injured and how do you know if you've crossed it? This line is being pushed further and further back as medincine advances not only in high schools sports, but in professional sports as well. There was a New York Jet lineman who played with a broken hand and an Arizona corner playing with an injured knee last weekend. Will this trend of recklessness or others might say bravery increase in CPS sports? Only time will tell.

- written by Jonathon Kamel,(Payton, class of 2012)

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

Everyone sees that injuries are part of sports on any level, but more and more these days, high school athletes are running or playing through injuries that are extremely painful. No dedicated athlete ever wants to quit and let an injury get the better of him and I think the hardest thing in sports is watching your team have success while you are sidelined. But when does reason come into play and are some athletes pushing it too far and risking their health? For example, I know one senior who is running with a partially torn ACL, but he won't quit because its his last year of track. This shows alot of heart and dedication, but is it too risky? What are the limits and boudaries of playing sports injured and how do you know if you've crossed it? This line is being pushed further and further back as medincine advances not only in high schools sports, but in professional sports as well. There was a New York Jet lineman who played with a broken hand and an Arizona corner playing with an injured knee last weekend. Will this trend of recklessness or others might say bravery increase in CPS sports? Only time will tell.

- written by Jonathon Kamel,(Payton, class of 2012)

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

What message are we sending?

In the recent weeks the Chicago Public Schools has dramatically changed some factors for children and teens to get into the prized Chicago Public selective and Magnet Schools. There are pros and cons to each of the changes and I will try to address each side of the equation. The reasons for these controversies is that the CPS cannot please everyone. In recent years too much weight has been placed on race to a point where white teens had to almost score a perfect on the selective enrollment entrance exam to qualify for a spot at Northside, Whitney, or Payton. On the other hand, with a federal judge getting rid of the racial mandate in the Selective enrollment process, diversity needs to be maintained at these schools to give disadvantage kids an equal opportunity. Although some might say that the best score should get the spot, if the CPS worked this way its top schools would soon look like New Trier or Stevenson.

    New factors that Magnet and Selective Enrollment Schools will use in making their acceptance decisions besides the raw score will include socioeconomics, siblings already present at the school, and the neighborhood the student hails from. I believe the neighborhood issue will be an influence more in magnet schools than the selective enrollment. However, to make up for the racial mandate socioeconomic diversity will take its place. These rules need to be used with discretion. There cannot be a huge disparity between an average white's score or black's in order to get into a supreme school. What message is this sending to our generation? Does being a smart, disadvantaged or a minority teen automatically qualify you for a spot when there are others above you who may not be disadvantaged? As long as these factors exist controversies will always surround the CPS Selective Enrollment process.

- written by Jonathon Kamel,(Payton, class of 2012)

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

- written by Jonathon Kamel,(Payton, class of 2012)

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

Two Payton All-City's - NOT NAMED MORA!

Payton boys have other boy runners not named Jose Mora. Meet all-city frosh-soph runners Jonathan Kamel (left- 12th 11:45) and Tommy Komendzinski (13th - 11:51)

Payton's Tommy Komendzinki was disappointed after his 13th place finish at the Frosh-Soph level at this weekends City Championships. However, last year as freshman he and I wouldn't have dreamed of a top 20 finish. It was Tommy's second meet at last year's City's and I was struggling with a new injury, but this year is different. Expectations at Payton are higher this year with a senior laden varsity team led by Jose Mora and a competitive sophomore class whose goal of placing 3rd at frosh-soph was ruined when sophomore Porter Truax went down with an injury. Even without Porter, Payton frosh-soph placed 4th behind larger teams of Mather, Lane, and Whitney. As every school, Payton is trying to create an atmosphere of high standards and work ethic within their cross country teams.  Last year Payton's frosh-soph girls won City, while the boys lacked a complete team at the varsity and frosh-soph level. This year the boys have picked it up and had a surprising season.

- written by Jonathon Kamel

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

- written by Jonathon Kamel

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

It's That Time of The Year

This sudden change in weather brings a sense of urgency with it. It is customary for temperatures to drop around the end of cross-country season and this year is no different. The chill in the air directs our attention to City Championships, Regionals, and Sectionals. Nothing before this counts or matters, everything is up for grabs. Will the favorites win it all? Or will a dark horse slip past? One more week and we will know.

- written by Jonathon Kamel

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

CPS Cross Country Championship previews coming this entire week....

This sudden change in weather brings a sense of urgency with it. It is customary for temperatures to drop around the end of cross-country season and this year is no different. The chill in the air directs our attention to City Championships, Regionals, and Sectionals. Nothing before this counts or matters, everything is up for grabs. Will the favorites win it all? Or will a dark horse slip past? One more week and we will know.

- written by Jonathon Kamel

More info on being a CPSfan volunteer blogger

CPS Cross Country Championship previews coming this entire week....