John Kern

John Kern was a standout cross country and track and field runner at WSC from 2008 to 2011. A graduate of Cedar Bluffs High School, Kern ended his Wildcat career as a three-time NSIC champion and eight-time All-NSIC honoree, and was an NCAA national qualifier as a senior in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Kern was named the NSIC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year as a senior after winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 10,000-meter run while placing second in the 5,000-meter run. During the same outdoor season, he placed 12th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2011 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. During Kern's senior indoor season, he was the NSIC champion in the 5,000-meter run and was All-NSIC placing second in the 3,000-meters and third in the one-mile run. Kern's name is still on five school records at WSC that include the indoor 3,000-meter run (8:31.51) and three events in outdoor track and field – the 1,500-meter run (3:51.90), 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:03.14), and the 5,000-meter run (14:42.15). In cross country, Kern was an All-NSIC First Team selection is his senior season after placing seventh at the conference championships and is the last Wildcat runner to receive All-NSIC First Team honors. Kern was inducted into the WSC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.