Kern Jr. holds state’s fastest 2017 800-meter time; York girls 3,200 relay improving.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
York’s boys track and field team won the recent Bud Mohn Invitational meet.
Individually, Charlie Kern Jr. won the 800 with a time of 1:53.03—through late last week that was the fastest time in the state. Kern also currently is the sixth-fastest 800 runner in York history.
Jackson Bode won the 3,200 in 9:41.88, while Jonathan Tanner won the 200 in 23.30. The 1,600 relay team also won, while Cal Widener was second in the shot put and discus. Widener’s shot put mark was 55-5. He is the ninth-best shot-putter in York history.
York coach Charlie Kern Sr., said one major improvement he’s seen this spring has been in the quickness department.
“Our team speed has greatly improved,” he said. “Since the start of the outdoor season our sprint crew has really improved. We have a positive attitude that has generated a lot of momentum and excitement.”
Kern Sr. has seen plenty of positive momentum in the team’s running events. “We can seriously talk about sprint relays meeting the state-qualifying standards,” he said. “The distance events, especially on the frosh-soph level, have really improved. The future is very bright.”
Bode recently ran 4:24 in the 1,600—a three-second personal-record for him.
Widener leads the way for York’s field events. “We have become very strong in the throws and have two athletes who can score in most meets,” said Kern Sr. “Cal has been amazing to watch this spring. John Golen has made incredible improvements in the shot and Vince Cahill continues to improve in the discus ring.”
Josiah Scott is an addition to the long-jump crew. “Josiah has made an immediate impact,” said Kern Sr. “He’s our first jumper beyond the 20-foot barrier.”
Alex Lutter has cleared 13 feet in the pole vault, while newcomer Brendan Hill has cleared 10 feet in only two weeks of work.
Also of significance is York’s recent performance at the Distance Night in Palatine event that included a freshman-only mile. Ethan Kern took first and set a new meet record of 4:28.67. That’s the fourth-fastest freshman 1,600 time in York history. Daniel Klysh was third in the mile at 4:29.61 and that’s the sixth-fastest freshman time in school history.
Tanner is another athlete Kern Sr. has been impressed with. “He’s been one of the program’s most improved athletes,” the coach said. “Jonathan has become a legitimate sprinter and has replaced points we lost as we went from indoor to outdoor. His victory at the Bud Mohn Invitational is still in the minds of his coaches and teammates. Jonathan is a success story everyone should follow. He does the best he can with his ability each and every day. He has worked hard and now is reaping the rewards of his efforts. We are so excited to watch him perform again.”
York heads to the DuPage County meet Friday.
“We have exceeded some of our team goals and will continue to work on improving individually as we move into the championship portion of our schedule,” said Kern Sr.
York girls track
Dukes coach Keegan Kilrea has been impressed with the team’s 3,200 relay team.
“Right now our 4-by-8 is running great,” she said.
That team consists of Julie Biggins, Lydia Hickey, Katherine Tomaska and Sarah May. “We are excited to see how we continue to improve while racing some competitive teams,” said Kilrea.
The 3,200 team took second at the Glenbard West Invitational with a 9:27 time.
At the recent Palatine distance event, Francesca Mordini and Emma Kern turned in lifetime best performances in the mile. Mordini finished at 5:23, while Kern was at 5:25. May had a season PR in the 800 with a time of 2:17.
Also at Glenbard West, Jeanette Morley was second in the high jump at 5-3.
