Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 16

ST U D E N T S P O T L I G H T
Jason Montano '19 & Travis Snyder '19
On any given day, seniors Jason Montano '19 and
Travis Snyder '19 can be found lacing up for practice
or in preparation for their next events at a track meet.
Both boys have excelled in their respective events,
carrying on Th ornton Academy’s strong tradition of
excellence in track and fi eld.
Montano, a shot put and discus competitor, began
competing in track in the 6th grade and has been
decorated with awards and nominations including:
Th e Journal Tribune 2018 Boys' Track & Field All-
Stars, 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Conference,
Outstanding Field Athlete for SMAA boys for regular
season and championship meet, Co-MVP of the 2018
boys track and fi eld season (with Snyder), and was a
nominee for Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year.
Th e success does not stop there, however; Montano
shares that his proudest accomplishments were
winning the Outdoor State Championship as a team,
individually winning the Outdoor State Shot Put and
Discus Championship and placing fi rst at both the
Indoor and Outdoor shot put at the New England
Championship meet.
“I’ve been really proud of how the team has come
together. Even though most of our events are
individual endeavors we’ve been able to build a strong
bond with one another,” Montano said.
Snyder can boast equally impressive accomplishments
including the titles of: New England Pole Vault
Champion, USA Track and Field (USATF) Junior
Olympic Northeastern Region Champion, and the
USATF Junior Olympic National Pole Vault Champion
and numerous York County and state titles.
“Having better access to equipment and training
facilities, especially during the winter season, would
increase the level of performance at TA,” Snyder says
in sharing his support of the athletic complex capital
campaign. (See capital campaign article on page 4.)
In addition to a strong boys' track team, Th ornton
Academy is proud of its girls' track team including Mia
Taranko '20, Sabria Merrifi eld '19, Katie-Marie Roy '19
and Kieya Dion '20 who collectively won the 4x100
relay setting a Southern Maine Athletic Association
record and Jaigan Boudreau '20, who won the discus
championship this spring.
Montano says, “I am looking forward to my last year
on the team. Th ere is no better feeling than walking
out on the fi eld with such a supportive community
cheering for you and your teammates alongside you
and coaches that are always there for you.”
Travis Snyder '19 and Jason Montano '19
during a track and fi eld meet
16 Story by Brittany Brown · Photos Courtesy of Travis Snyder '19 & Jason Montano '19