POCATELLO, Idaho — Montana athletes collected more than three dozen victories Saturday at the USA Track & Field Region 11 Junior Olympic Championships at Davis Field on the campus of Idaho State University, earning berths to the national meet in late July.
What this means for Montana competitors
Winners at the regional meet qualify to compete at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships, scheduled July 27 through Aug. 2 in Norwalk, California. For many Montana teenagers, the regional results determine whether they will face the country's top youth athletes this summer.
The standout performance for the Treasure State came from Kesston Thomas of Choteau, who produced a personal-best javelin throw of 66.78 meters (219 feet, 1 inch) to win her event. That mark places Thomas among the top 10 in the nation for the age group and ranks her fourth among incoming seniors.
Other notable Montana results
Several boys from Montana doubled up with two event wins apiece, including athletes from Missoula, Corvallis, Billings and Kalispell. On the girls' side, Bozeman's rising freshman Iris Hancock swept the sprints in the 15-16 division, taking the 100, 200 and 400 meters.
- Iris Hancock (Bozeman) — won 15-16 girls 100, 200 and 400.
- Reagan Johnstone (Stevensville) — captured the 15-16 100- and 400-meter hurdles and the long jump.
- Kesston Thomas (Choteau) — javelin personal best and a national top-10 mark.
Johnstone, a returning Class A state record holder in the 100 hurdles, added regional wins in the short and intermediate hurdles plus the long jump. Several Montana boys also collected multiple gold medals across running and field events, bolstering the state's presence at the regional meet.
| Athlete | Hometown | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kesston Thomas | Choteau | Javelin | 66.78 m (219-1) |
| Iris Hancock | Bozeman | 100/200/400 meters (15-16) | 12.14 / 25.05 / 1:04.18 |
| Reagan Johnstone | Stevensville | 100H / 400H / Long jump (15-16) | 14.5 / 1:03.07 / 5.55 m |
Next steps for qualifiers
Qualified Montana athletes will prepare for the national meet in Norwalk later this month. Regional championships serve as the primary pathway to the Junior Olympic Nationals, and strong regional showings can signal contenders for national finals and podiums.
Coaches and families of advancing athletes will be coordinating travel and final training plans in the coming weeks. For high-school programs across Montana, the regional results highlight the depth of youth track and field talent developing statewide.
Coverage provided from regionals in Pocatello; results compiled from USA Track & Field Region 11 meet reports and state meet records.
