As a result of sweeping changes at Fountain-Fort Carson District 8, all Trojans varsity coaches were told they’d have to reapply for their jobs back in April. That included longtime track and field coach Ben Montoya, who’d led the boys’ team to four titles in six years.

How’s that for job security?

Montoya, though, responded the best way he knew how. He kept quiet about the situation with his team and continued to teach his young athletes.

The Trojans took second at the Class 5A state meet last month.

“It was a little bit difficult when I first heard,” Montoya said. “The morale of the entire school was down.

“I kind of avoided the subject with the kids and didn’t talk about it. They knew what was going on, and I think they have a lot of trust and faith in me and the coaching staff.”

Montoya said he wasn’t expecting such a high finish at the state meet.

Despite an inexperienced varsity roster, the Trojans stayed in the hunt for a third consecutive state title most of the meet. It wasn’t until an hour was left on the final day that the boys finally slipped out of contention.

“They’ve just come alive every time we’ve got to the state meet,” Montoya said. “I’m extremely happy they performed and put so much effort in everything they did over the three days.”