Charlie Kern Jr. (Elmhurst, IL)
York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois has produced numerous distance stars during legendary coach Joe Newton's "Long Green Line", which has won 27 state titles during Newton's 50+ years at the helm, but perhaps none of them have shown such early promise like Charlie Kern Jr. did last season as a freshman. Kern Jr., who's father is the team's assistant coach, finished 8th in the largest division at the Illinois State meet last fall, and then followed that up a week later with a 15:22 5K at NXN Midwest to place 13th. The younger Kern has raced just once so far this XC season, winning a small dual meet in 16:11 for 5K.