Speedster Phelps will pursue career in aviation at Rocky

Jack Phelps flies on the track. In the future, he hopes to fly the blue skies of Montana.

His sunglasses and bright blond curly hair make the senior hard for spectators to miss at a Columbia Falls track meet. Phelps competed in all sprinting events, from the 100, 200, and 400 meters to the relays for the Wildcats this season and was ranked third in Montana Class A for the 400 meters.

He took second in the state A 100 meters as well, his best showing at the championship meet in all his sprinting events.

State meet aside, the 400 is his best overall event, he said. He nabbed the 400 meter school record from basketball coach and former Wildcat standout Chris Finberg this season.  At the Archie Roe meet this year, he ran a time of 49.70. He then broke his own school record at the Western A divisional track meet, setting the new mark at 49.59. 

His role model, he said, is former Wildcat standout Adam Schrader. Schrader now competes in track and field for Montana Tech.

 “His 400 meter hurdle time is faster than my 400 time,” Phelps joked. “He’s one heck of an athlete. He has a mindset like nobody else, that’s what enables him to be so good.”

 Schrader always shows up with a positive attitude, willing to accept whatever outcome his race brings and learn for the next one, Phelps noted. 

A sprinter needs to have keen reflexes and a sharp reaction time. It’s what enables them to get out of the “blocks” flawlessly as the starting gun goes off. They also need to think meticulously: at the MHSA state level, a sprinter can get disqualified simply for having one spike in their shoe that’s over the standard size.

Mindset is just as important.

 “In the sprinting events, there is no room for error. It’s extremely important to clear your headspace before you settle into your blocks,” Phelps said.

 Distance runners will often say that the third lap of the mile is where you choose to succeed or settle. In the 400, it’s the third corner.  

Phelps has committed to Rocky Mountain College in Billings. 

He’ll be running track for the Battlin’ Bears. 

He’s also going into their aviation program. 

His dream career, he said, would be an astronaut.

 “I know it’s a bit farfetched, but my plan is to become a pilot and go from there,” Phelps said. He’s looking forward to learning how to fly single-engine planes.

Phelps credits part of his success to Josiah Osborne, his sprinting coach. He’s a great guy, and they get along well, he said. He also likes the Whitefish boys sprinting coach, Willie Roche.

His advice for future track athletes?

 “Trust yourself.” 

Time will tell if Phelps school record in the 400 will stand. But Phelps, like Wildcats before him, gave it his all.