By Jaden Wright
Ever since Tanner Montano started running club track in third grade, he has been one of the best in New Mexico. Already the La Cueva freshman is one of the fastest sprinters at school.
Montano’s personal best in the 100-meter dash is 10.77 seconds, which he posted when winning at the Richard Harper Invitational at Albuquerque Academy last month. He also took second in the long jump with a leap of 23 feet, 2 inches.
He thrives on getting better and better every year in hopes of eventually running for the University of Oregon.
“Oregon is my dream school,” he said. “I've grown up wanting to go there. It would be a big deal for me.”
He really became well known in June of eighth grade when he ran in what he called “a big high school meet” and had the second best long jump out of all classes at 22 feet, 8 inches. After that he became the highest ranking eighth grader in track in the state and top 100 nationally.
For a global comparison of Montano’s 10.77, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt set the Olympic record in 9.63. So just imagine where he might be in five years. “Ever since I started, everyone knew I had something special,” Montano said.
Montano also talked very highly of his parents saying they talked him into doing track. "Without them I would not be the man I am today on and off the field," he said.
The state track meet is May 12-13 at the University of New Mexico..