By Tim Morris
At 5 feet 4 inches tall, Howell High School’s Rachel Kern said she knows she doesn’t look intimidating at all to her fellow javelin throwers. That is until the Rebels’ standout unleashes a throw in competition where she stands as tall as anyone.
Kern, who began the season with a personal best of 123-8, broke the Howell school record earlier this year and extended it to 139-10 at the NJSIAA Group IV Championships in Egg Harbor Township. That made her the first Howell girl since Lindsey Gallo to win a group state championship. Gallo won her titles on the track at 1,600 and 3,200 meters in 2000.
Kern knew that her winning throw at the group championships was a good one.
“The way it flew out of my hands, it looked powerful,” she said. “I was relaxed.”
Kern is a late-comer to the javelin. She was a softball player and sprinter during the indoor track season before taking up the javelin as a sophomore. She did it partly because her brother, Tom Kern, threw the implement for Howell and encouraged her to give it a try. She quickly found that it suited her. From the beginning, she showed promise. As a complete novice, she won her first meet, the Husky Relays, throwing 108-5. She took it out to 123-8 by season’s end, becoming a championship contender (second in Central Jersey, Group IV).
She picked up where she left off last year and has only lost one meet, throwing farther than 130-0 in seven of her meets.
Kern showed her competitiveness at the group championships. After winning the Monmouth County and Shore Conference meets, the Rebel suffered her first loss of the season, finishing fourth at the South Jersey, Group IV sectional. It didn’t sit well with her even though she threw 131-8.
“I prepared myself to come back and win,” she said.
She did that with her new personal best.
Kern’s sprinting (55 dash indoors) comes in handy for the javelin throw. The more speed a thrower can generate on a run-up to the throw is very important. Despite her sprinter’s speed, Kern noted that she doesn’t always utilize it correctly.
“I have a bad habit of not being light on my feet, not staying on my toes through the run through,” she said.
Howell throwing coach Joe Muralt has helped her get over that through a variety of drills that includes hurdle work and jumping rope.
“He helps a lot, he knows what I’m doing wrong,” she said of Muralt.
Although she’s 5 feet 4 inches tall and fast, that doesn’t make Kern a finesse thrower.
“I still have a lot of power,” she said.
It’s that combination of speed and power — as well as mastering technique — that has turned Kern into the second longest javelin thrower in Freehold Regional High School District history and currently one of the best in New Jersey.
Kern likes being part of a track team. Throwers have a special bond with each other — one in which they help each and root for each other.
“In our program, we’re all close,” she said.
Stephanie Bock, the school record-holder in the shot put (41-7¾) and discs (128-1) and also one of the state’s best throwers, has been providing the senior leadership for the group.
“She pushes you in the weight room to make you better,” Kern said.
Next year, Kern will take over that leadership role.
Kern is still scratching the surface of her potential in the event. She noted that she is still new to the sport and learning. Next winter, Kern said she will throw the shot put and stop sprinting since she has to wait until the spring to throw the javelin.
If she continues to progress as she did from her sophomore to junior year, the district record, which stands at the 146-11 mark held by Marlboro High School state champion Elaina Mezzasalma, is in jeopardy.
Kern also has a goal of winning a Meet of Champions title. Kern finished her record-setting season by placing second at this year’s Meet of Champions June 8 at Central Regional High School. She got off a throw of 134-7 that fell just 3 inches short of the 134-10 by the winner, Kaela Schrier of Cherokee High School.