MONROE - Sophomore Jordan Montgomery has worked hard to become faster and stronger and develop into an elite sprinter in his second season on the Monroe High School boys track and field team.
During a two-hour delay due to lightning Monday at the WIAA Division 2 Monroe regional, Montgomery had a queasy feeling and said he thought he was getting sick.
After waiting out the long delay, Montgomery finished second in the 100-meter dash (11.34 seconds) and second in the 200 (23.32) to qualify for Thursday's Division 2 McFarland sectional in both races.
"In the preliminaries, I didn't feel well," Montgomery said. "Everything was tight. It (delay) threw off my routine. I felt better in the finals. It wasn't my fastest. I was just running for the sectional and hoping I could move on."
Montgomery said he is using his experience in track to build even more speed, quickness and strength to play running back for the football team in the fall. Despite his affinity for football, Montgomery is building a strong case as one of the top sprinters in the area. Montgomery's personal-best time in the 100 is 11 seconds and his PR in the 200 this season is 23.21 seconds. The time by Montgomery in the 200 is the fastest a sophomore has run the race in the history of the Monroe track program.
"He's one of the top sprinters in the conference," Monroe coach Scott Mosher said. "He's just a competitive kid. With his work ethic and desire, he could be one of the best in Monroe."
Montgomery has high expectations for the sectional. He knows he will have to be at his best to qualify for state. The top contender for state in the 100 and 200 at the McFarland sectional is River Valley's Kyle Thomas, who owns the third fastest Division 2 time in the 100 (10.78) and second fastest time in the 200 (22.16) this year. To qualify for state, Montgomery has to finish in the top four at the sectional. He understands it will be a tall order.
"I think if I run the way I have been I can make the finals," Montgomery said. "I will probably have to run a PR and run faster to move on to state."
The start out of the blocks could make the difference in qualifying for state. Montgomery is also looking to fine-tune the middle part of the race in the 100.
"I think my starts are probably as good as they are going to get," he said. "I want to work on my endurance. My strides are a lot shorter than other runners."
Montgomery is excited to have a couple of practices before the sectional.
"If I eat better this week and stretch more, I will be able to do better," he said. "Now, that we are back practicing, I will be more prepared for the sectional."
During a two-hour delay due to lightning Monday at the WIAA Division 2 Monroe regional, Montgomery had a queasy feeling and said he thought he was getting sick.
After waiting out the long delay, Montgomery finished second in the 100-meter dash (11.34 seconds) and second in the 200 (23.32) to qualify for Thursday's Division 2 McFarland sectional in both races.
"In the preliminaries, I didn't feel well," Montgomery said. "Everything was tight. It (delay) threw off my routine. I felt better in the finals. It wasn't my fastest. I was just running for the sectional and hoping I could move on."
Montgomery said he is using his experience in track to build even more speed, quickness and strength to play running back for the football team in the fall. Despite his affinity for football, Montgomery is building a strong case as one of the top sprinters in the area. Montgomery's personal-best time in the 100 is 11 seconds and his PR in the 200 this season is 23.21 seconds. The time by Montgomery in the 200 is the fastest a sophomore has run the race in the history of the Monroe track program.
"He's one of the top sprinters in the conference," Monroe coach Scott Mosher said. "He's just a competitive kid. With his work ethic and desire, he could be one of the best in Monroe."
Montgomery has high expectations for the sectional. He knows he will have to be at his best to qualify for state. The top contender for state in the 100 and 200 at the McFarland sectional is River Valley's Kyle Thomas, who owns the third fastest Division 2 time in the 100 (10.78) and second fastest time in the 200 (22.16) this year. To qualify for state, Montgomery has to finish in the top four at the sectional. He understands it will be a tall order.
"I think if I run the way I have been I can make the finals," Montgomery said. "I will probably have to run a PR and run faster to move on to state."
The start out of the blocks could make the difference in qualifying for state. Montgomery is also looking to fine-tune the middle part of the race in the 100.
"I think my starts are probably as good as they are going to get," he said. "I want to work on my endurance. My strides are a lot shorter than other runners."
Montgomery is excited to have a couple of practices before the sectional.
"If I eat better this week and stretch more, I will be able to do better," he said. "Now, that we are back practicing, I will be more prepared for the sectional."
