Choteau's Kesston Thomas proving to be top javelin thrower in Montana

Kesston Thomas finished just shy of a Class B state championship as a sophomore.

This year, the Choteau javelin thrower is proving not only to be the one to beat in the classification, but in Montana.

The junior track and field standout is atop the javelin rankings regardless of classification as of May 7, with a state-best toss of 194 feet, 4 inches at the home Choteau Twilight Meet on April 21.

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“I feel pretty good,” Thomas said at the Cascade Top 8 Meet at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, May 5. “I was kind of surprised that I took the lead in the state, honestly, with how few track meets we’ve had, you know? I think it’s been a good season so far.”

Thomas earned runner-up at the Class B state meet in Missoula last May by the slimmest of margins, with Eureka’s Jesse Day besting Thomas by just one inch at 180-11 for the winning throw.

Thomas said the state meet was a good experience and showed him what he could potentially achieve down the line.

“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.”

The lefty was first in his age group last summer in the javelin at the USATF MT Association Track and Field Championships at Montana State University and at the Big Sky State Games in Lockwood, where he hit a then-personal-best throw of 183-08.

Choteau's Kesston Thomas leads the state in the javelin throw as of May 7.

Thomas not only leads the state in javelin so far this spring but is one of only two throwers to surpass 190 feet in the event, along with Bozeman High’s Sam Kenck (192-01). He’s also the only athlete to eclipse 190 more than once, achieving 192 feet, 8 inches at the Celtic Classic in Great Falls on May 2.