Track prospect 

college-bound teenager clocked as fastest in Chicago

Who is Chicago's fastest teenager? Nike has answered the question today at the Nike Speed Showdown finals at Wrigley Field. Forty finalists competed in a 40-yard dash and Rashard Mendenhall of Niles West ran the fastest time, taking out the title of Chicago's fastest teen.
 
A 17-year old attending college in the fall, Mendenhall clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.63 seconds. He is a three-sport athlete in track, football and basketball, but his main strength in all his sports is speed.
"I missed the second half of my senior season of track due to an injury, so it was great to be healthy and come out to the Nike Speed Showdown to test my speed again," said Mendenhall.
The finalists, boys and girls ages 13-18, advanced by competing in preliminary open call events held in Chicago throughout July.
 

Nike Speed coaches were on hand to provide training tips during the main event along with Chicago athletes Corey Patterson, Moises Alou and Greg Maddux
"We chose to find Chicago's Fastest Teen because speed is a concept that translates across all sports. Athletes are constantly working to get faster, and we wanted Chicago teens to realize they are faster than they think," says Andrea Fairchild, Nike Inc. "The Showdown was all about achieving your personal best, while benefiting from the life lessons learned through sports."
Mendenhall will have bragging rights as Chicago's fastest, and at the same will be reinforced by the far-reaching benefits of staying healthy and active.