Montana 2023 Junior Olympic Athlete of the Year Awards

USATF Montana’s Grass Roots/Youth Program recently announced its top track & field and cross-country athletes for 2023.  Awards will be formally presented during BTC All-Comers Indoor Track in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse at Montana State University on Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Lead by our Youth Chair, Jesse Zentz the Association strives to offer competitive excellence and engagement for youth athletes of all abilities and skill.  Recipients were determined based on competition in their specific age division at the Association, Regional and National Championship levels:

2023 Track & Field Athletes of the Year

8-n-Under Division:                                          
Girls - Julia VanPernis, Helena Novas       
Boys - Simon Brenner, Mission Mountain Mercury                             

9-10 –Division:
Girls - Lindy Dahlke, Helena Novas
Boys - Kruze Todorovich, Helena Novas

11-12 Division:                                           
Girls - Maria Metellus, Mountain West Track Club 
Boys - Corrick Connors, Helena Novas 
                            
13-14 Division:
Girls - Quinlyn Simmons, Helena Novas
Boys - Christopher Esparza, Electric City

15-16 Division:                                           
Girls - Allison Gama, Mountain West Track Club
Boys - Porter Gibbs, Missoula                                                                                 
17-18 Division:
Girls - Madi Todorovich, Helena Novas
Boys - Rowley DuPras, Mountain West Track Club

2023 Cross Country Athletes of the Year

8-n-Under Division:                                     
Girls - Marit Rucker, Bozeman Track Club             
Boys - Jacob Perry, Helena Novas                                                                   
9-10 Division:                                                                        
Girls - Anna Fansher, Mission Mountain Mercury
Boys - Frank Lion Shows, Indigenous Trail Running Club

11-12 Age Division:
Girls - Addison Kegel, Yellowstone Rapids
Boys - Emory Kreissler, Helena Novas       

13-14 Division:
Girls - Annalise Lewis, Mission Mountan Mercury
Boys - Simon Costner, Plains, MT

15-16 Division:                                           
Girls - Morgan Delaney, Mission Mountain Mercury               
Boys - Elliot Stimpson, Helena Novas         

17-18 Division
Girls - Sofia Hinderman, Helena Novas
Boys - Trey Schlepp, Helena Novas

The USATF youth program offers six age divisions in the Junior Olympic format.  As a grass roots event for athletes 18 years old and younger, USATF Montana emphasizes the value of all children having every opportunity to get involved, regardless of their abilities and skills.  For more information visit us at usatfmontana,org.