State Champion Spotlight: Jason Montano (Thornton Academy)
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparation leading up to states was a lot of form work and staying relaxed.
What was one thing that you focused on this winter that made a difference in your performance?
This winter I actually stuck to the spin instead of switching back and forth every meet between the glide and spin and I learned a lot more of the form and technique for the spin which helped a lot.
You won the Class A state title by over 11ft to win your first state title, what did it mean to win, and to dominate the competition?
Well I didn't realize I won by that much. All thought The state title does mean a lot to me, being a role model and an athlete that all the younger throwers can look up to means more to me. I put so much hard work in during the season and to see it pay off felt amazing.
At the New England Championship you were behind until your final throw, how were you able to execute under pressure to win?
Well I love to perform in the clutch and all I thought about was staying relaxed and form and just throw the shot and try not to do to much.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season I wanted to be number one in the state which I achieved and win states and New England's and throw over 56 feet such all I have achieved.
What have your coaches meant to your success?
Words can't explain how much my coaches have impacted my throwing career and how I have been shaped as an athlete.
Montano's Shot Put Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 58-8.5 |
| 2017 | 53-9 |
| 2016 | 44-6.75 |
| 2015 | 43-6.5 |
| 2014 | 40-1 |
| 2013 | 37-0 |
2017-18 Performances
| 2018 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56-8.5 | Indoor | S | New Balance Nationals Indoor | 16th | Finals | > | ||
| 55-10 | Indoor | S | New England Indoor Championships | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 58-8.5 | Indoor | S | USATF Maine Indoor Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 57-1.25 | Indoor | S | Class A Indoor State Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 57-5.75 | Indoor | S | SMAA Southwesterns Championships | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 53-5.75 | Indoor | S | SMAA:Biddeford-Bonny Eagle-Gorham-Thornton | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 56-0.5 | Indoor | S | SMAA:Kennebunk-Portland-Scarborough-Thornton | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 51-0 | Indoor | S | SMAA:Bidd-Chev-Mass-Scar-Deer-Marshwood-Wind-TA | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 51-2.25 | Indoor | S | SMAA: Cheverus-Falmouth-Noble-Thornton | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 52-7.75 | Indoor | S | Dartmouth Relays | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 2017 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
| 51-5.75 | Indoor | S | USM Relays | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 50-9.75 | Indoor | S | SMAA: Massabesic-South Portland-Thornton-Westbrook | 1st | Finals | > | ||