When Kesston Thomas stepped up to the javelin runway at last year's Class B state championships, he was just one inch away from glory. Now, the Choteau junior is leaving no room for doubt—he's not just the best in his classification, but the top javelin thrower in all of Montana.
Thomas currently leads all throwers, regardless of classification, with a state-best toss of 194 feet, 4 inches—a mark he set at the Choteau Twilight Meet on April 21. That's nearly 18 feet ahead of his nearest Class B competitor, and it's putting the entire state on notice.
"I feel pretty good," Thomas said after competing at the Cascade Top 8 Meet. "I was kind of surprised that I took the lead in the state, honestly, with how few track meets we've had. I think it's been a good season so far."
Last May, Thomas finished as runner-up at the Class B state meet in Missoula, falling just one inch short of Eureka's Jesse Day (180-11). That narrow defeat lit a fire under the young thrower.
"It definitely made me work a lot harder leading up to this season," Thomas said. "Kind of just building confidence that I've still got two more years left and I can achieve some pretty good throws and good marks."
Thomas's rise didn't happen overnight. Last summer, the left-hander won his age group at both the USATF MT Association Track and Field Championships and the Big Sky State Games, where he launched a then-personal-best 183-08. That momentum has carried into this spring, where he's one of only two throwers in the state to surpass 190 feet—joining Bozeman's Sam Kenck (192-01).
What's even more impressive? Thomas is the only athlete to break the 190-foot barrier multiple times, including a 192-08 at the Celtic Classic in Great Falls on May 2. Even in chilly, wet conditions at the Cascade Top 8, he still managed a winning throw of 184-04.
As of May 7, Thomas sits atop the Class B javelin rankings and the entire state leaderboard. With two more seasons ahead of him, Montana's track and field scene has a new name to watch—and a new standard to chase.