Boys Track and Field: Coming back from illness, York's Charlie Kern takes second at state

CHARLESTON – As York’s Charlie Kern battles lingering illness throughout his senior year, pursuing his first boys track and field state championship often hasn’t been the top priority.

“I had some real tough times feeling absolutely awful. And this, this is just running,” Kern said. “It hurts and it’s kind of painful but it’s kind of nothing compared to some of the times I’ve had this fall and winter.”

On May 27, Kern competed like a champion at the Class 3A state finals at Eastern Illinois University. Kern was second in the 800-meter run (1:52.64) after taking third last year behind two seniors (1:54.26).

Kern, who will run collegiately at Missouri, was .08 shy of his lifetime best and took second behind Eisenhower senior Joshua English (1:51.94).

“[English] definitely deserved it. He ran an amazing race,” Kern said. “Still not quite 100 percent but I’m doing the best with what I’ve got. I’ve been able to run pretty fast in some meets and I think I ran well today and I’m thankful for that, too.”

York’s 3,200 relay of sophomore Daniel Klysh and seniors Mark Morgan, Jackson Bode and Sean MacGregor was an all-state sixth (7:52.83).

In Class 1A, Timothy Christian senior Xavier Ross was third in the 400 (school-record 49.41). In Class 2A, Montini Catholic senior Matt Quaglia was fifth in the 100 (11.01) and the 400 relay of juniors Zach Olson and Nick Fedanzo, Quaglia and senior Jordan Slater was seventh (43.41). Senior Jake Mondschean’s lifetime-best 1,600 (4:26.16) pulled out ninth by .38.

Kern also was part of all-state, fifth-place 3,200 relays as a freshman and sophomore. In cross country, he was a three-time, top-eight state finisher (second in 2015) but his illness left him barely able to help the Dukes at sectionals and state in November. Diagnoses have included issues with digesting and absorbing protein and becoming gluten free.

“If you asked me in December is he going to run, and run at the state meet, I probably would have said no,” said York coach Charlie Kern Sr., his father. “It’s absolutely awe inspiring. He battled today and just happened to get beat by a guy who on this day was better.”

All-state in cross country, the Dayton-bound MacGregor scratched his 1,600 berth after the 3,200 relay posted the third-fastest preliminary time (season-best 7:48.83).

“I’ve been friends with these guys for like forever,” Bode said. “That’s why I was really glad I could run [in the finals] and do it for my teammates.”

Timothy Christian's first 400 all-stater since 1981, Ross was .07 from second and .24 from first after leading entering the homestretch. Ross previously ran the 300 intermediate hurdles but this season switched to the 400, the preceding event.

“[Timothy coach John Vander Kamp] was like, ‘You know you have the potential to be all-state.’ I said, ‘Coach, I’m going with your judgement,’ ” said Ross, who will run at Concordia (Neb.). “This was the best I’ve ever run in my life. The end there was interesting. It could have gone three ways, but I’m confident with how I raced. I’m very happy.”

Quaglia took Montini’s senior sprint leadership role from graduated Mitch West, a three-time 100 all-stater. All-state football player Slater replaced West from last year’s second-place 400 relay lineup.

“I was really nervous this year because I didn’t have anything to fall back on, another year,” said Quaglia, who will play football at Chicago. “This was actually my least nervous because I knew I just had to race.” Mondschean’s then-best 4:26.91 in prelims would have been 10th in finals.

“It’s exhausting, but there’s no feeling that beats that,” Mondschean said Saturday. “That competition, you could feel the lightning in the air.”