The life span of the Maine North Norsemen was very short in the world of high school athletics.  The MTHS kids competed in about every sport offered though.  The basics; football, basketball, track, baseball/softball, were offered to the boys and girls.  In addition swimming (a pool was added in the 1970s), gymnastics, wrestling, badminton, and volleyball were also offered.  If you have any additional information about the sports offered and the players and coaches who competed in them, please write to us. If any great teams competed that did not win IHSA hardware but possibly had a top three finish in a conference, let us know as well.

 

As it stands, there were only two sports listed in which Maine North won IHSA medals.  They were the sports of boys track and wrestling. 

 

When it came to IHSA competition, the folks in the English Department represented Maine North quite well.  Two top ten State Meet finishes were accomplished in the short 10 year existence of the school.  In addition several individual medals were earned as well.  The best of the Maine North accomplishments as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) are listed below.

 

 

One male athlete earned two medals at the IHSA State Track Meet.  Chris Heroux's accomplishment came in back to back seasons in 1976 and 1977.  During both years Heroux won 2nd Place in the 880 Yard Run.

 

 

 

Two Noresmen grapplers also earned a medal from the State Meet competition.

 

 

 

 

 

A total of seven medals and two top-ten finishes were recorded by the Maine North thespians.  This is an excellent accomplishment considering the short life span of the school.

 

 

                       Final Team Standings

 

                      1.) Fenton

                      2.) Homewood-Flossmoor

                      3.) Thornridge

                      4.) Morton West

                      5.) MAINE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

 

 

 

                      1.) Thornwood

                      2.) Joliet East (tie)

                      2.) Luther South (tie)

                      4.) Rock Island (tie)

                      4.) Peoria Central (tie)

                      6.) Loyola

                      7.) Richards (tie)

                      7.) Deerfield (tie)

                      7.) Carbondale (tie)

                    10.) MAINE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

                           (tied with 5 other schools)

 

 

 

 

The Illinois Theatre Festival is the largest, non-competetive high school theatre festival in the world. It was organized in 1976 by teachers from the Chicago suburbs. This festival is still going strong as they perform at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and Illinois State University every other January. Maine North participated in this festival from 1977 to it's closure in 1980.

                

 

From Nancy Brenner (Class of 1971):

             

"I was among the first class to enter Maine North as a Junior transferred from Maine East mid year.  It was also my first year in Illinois as my father was transferred there by his company from Delaware.  I was in the chorus and served as the editor-in-chief of the yearbook (the school’s first). Because of my education in Delaware I was asked to graduate early - which I did!  I am, as far as I know, the only 1971 graduate.  I received my diploma a year late when there was a real class graduating and a real need for diplomas was needed."

 

 

If you have any further information regarding the brief existence of Maine North High School please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

 

Chicago, Il.    60631