By Eric Erickson
Como Park junior Charlie Loth won two state titles in high school track’s two longest races at the 2026 Class AA Meet in early June. Seven months earlier, Loth won the individual cross- country state title, which propelled the Cougars to the Class AA state team championship.
That’s four state championship medals during the 2025-26 school year for Loth, a humble, hard worker who is maximizing his talent within the supportive culture of Cougar athletics.
Unsurprisingly for those who know Charlie, he says it’s the team cross country title that means the most. “The team winning was a symbol of everyone’s hard work. When you can get seven guys to go out and do so well together, pushing each other to win as a team, that’s more impressive than winning as an individual,” Loth said.
But what happened most recently in the 3200-meter (about two-miles) and 1600-meter (roughly one-mile) races at state was extraordinary. Loth set a personal record (PR) of 9:15 to win the 3200 and set another PR the next day with 4:17 to win the 1600.
Combining those results with his PR of 15:31 on the cross-country course of 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) last fall produced a rare “triple crown” achievement.
Being able to peak at the critical moment of competition is not a given. To do so consistently requires commitment to a plan. And the man with the plan for Como running is Tim Kersey, who coaches both the cross country and track teams.
“Coach’s regimen has worked incredibly these last couple seasons, obviously,” Loth explained. “He has us peak at the perfect time for state. He has a great workout schedule and knows exactly what we should be doing. In Tim we trust.”
Coach Kersey is quick to credit Loth’s dedication. “Charlie can execute a race plan with precision, which is of course way easier said than done,” Kersey said. “Charlie’s a unique talent who has range, great endurance, and is exceptional at closing a race down.”
Asked to reflect on his achievements, Loth immediately connects back to community. “I’m feeling proud, and proud to be a Cougar. To have teammates and fans come out to cheer gives me something extra to compete for and makes me happy to know we’ve built up such a great community around running.”
Eric Erickson teaches social studies at Como Park High School and writes for the Bugle.
