Loyd Star’s Gauge Montgomery has had a pretty awesome junior year.

In November, Montgomery stood atop a podium at Choctaw Trails in Hinds County as champion at the MHSAA 2A Cross-Country State Meet.

On Monday in Rankin County, Montgomery was again on top with a gold medal around his neck, as he won the 3,200-meter run at the MHSAA 2A State Track and Field Meet.

Montgomery covered the nearly two-mile, eight lap distance of the championship race in a time of 10 minutes and 47 seconds. The second-place finisher from St. Andrew’s came in at 11:02.

Montgomery was second in the 1,600-meter run last year and did not race in the 3,200 at the state level.

Jordan Lea coaches the Loyd Star track team and has high praise for his distance running standout.

“He’s a beast,” said Lea. “Gauge won the whole thing with a partially torn calf muscle. He runs so many miles on his own, which is why he is as good as he is.”

Junior Hayden Skates of West Lincoln finished seventh in the 3,200-meter run on Monday.

West Lincoln had a podium finish in the girls’ 1,600-meter run as junior Kylie Suchy finished third behind two runners from St. Andrew’s Episcopal. Suchy ran the race in a time of 6:20.

Bill Harris coaches the West Lincoln track teams.