SACO — The Thornton Academy track and field program was well represented at the New England high school championships that were held at University of New Hampshire last Saturday.
Juniors Jason Montano and Travis Snyder both posted personal bests en route to bringing home New England gold.
In the shot put, Montano nearly out threw the competition by two feet which a distance of 59-feet, 2 1/2 inches. Synder was able to clear a height of 15-9 to claim the pole vault title.
These numbers were products of a lot of hardwork and focus. Montano credited his coaches — head coach George Mendros and throwing coach Lisa Huntress — with helping him get back to the throwing in the upper 50s, like he had been in the beginning of the spring.
“I worked on my footing and release because my (coaches) and I had seen what was wrong with my throwing. So, we shored up on my form and to flick my wrist from there and that is what really helped me with my throw,” Montano said.
Any athlete looking to capture a title wants to be performing at their best heading into the postseason. Entering Saturday, Montano knew that he had to perform at a very high level to come home with the gold.
“The field was highly competitive because everyone was so close in numbers. You never knew who was going to throw further than you. My mentality was to go into this confident, cool, and calm. I stayed focused and whatever happens, happens,” Montano said about his anticipation of the meet.
That mentality, along with his adjustments to his form, really drove his success. Mendros described Montano’s performance at the meet as “impressive.”
“He popped a 59-footer and before that the best throw was 57 feet. It put everyone on notice that he had upped his game. He threw 57-3 on his first throw and 57-11 1/4 on his second. He had the lead and his last throw was 59-2 1/2 and that basically put the competition away. Five of his best throws of the season came all in one meet and it was the most important meet of the season,” said Mendros.
As for classmate Travis Snyder, his performance in the pole vault was equally outstanding. Snyder rose, literally, to the level of his competition. On his third and final attempt, Synder cleared 14-9 to advance to the next heat of 15-3, which consisted of two other vaulters. It was at this height where Snyder won the event, but he jumped for his personal best and above.
“He had won at 15-3 and went again at 15-9. He almost outvaulted the standards,” said Mendros.
Snyder is no stranger to the big stage. He has jumped at the New England Championships three times. The junior came in second last year and was able to climb to the top of the podium this time around.
“It felt good. Last year, I got second place. I don’t like to come runner up,” Synder said. “I like the competition. It pushes me to jump my best.”
That competitiveness is what drives Snyder every day to improve. His pole vaulting performance in the championship on Saturday was a product of his hard work and preparation.
“I work extremely hard. I’m usually the first one at practice and the last to leave,” Snyder explained. “It was all about focusing on the mindset. I downplay the importance and treat it like any other meet.”
Mendros echoed Snyder’s dedication and noted that Montano shares that same dedication to shot put.
“They are both hard workers and obviously have natural talent,” said Mendros.
Since both Montano and Snyder are only juniors, the championships should slate them for big senior campaigns that sprout into college careers.
“They will come into next season with a target on their back, obviously. That is the position you want to be in if you are any type of competitor, but we will see what happens. They are competitors themselves, so they have no problem being out there and we will see what they do,” anticipated Mendros.
— Sports Writer Brandon Eckles can be reached at beckles@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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