Briefs: Jackson Pelc, Azreal Lara, Riders' Fernandes

Jackson Pelc of Kalispell swept the boys age 13-14 100-meter hurdles and 200-meter hurdles at the USATF Region 11 Junior Olympic Championships on July 11 in Pocatello, Idaho.

Running unattached, Pelc won the 100 hurdles in 14.73 seconds and the 200 hurdles in 26.83 — the latter race he had a margin of 2.43 seconds. 

The Kalispell Middle School student also finished second in both the 100-meter dash (11.30) and the 200 dash (24.05). All four times were personal records. 

Several Montanans fared well at the meet on the Idaho State University Campus, including Columbia Falls’ Payson Scribner. Running for the Stumptown Track Club, Scribner second in the girls 15-16 100 meters and fifth in the 200 meters. 

Hunter Cadena out of Missoula Sentinel, running for Mountain West Track, clocked 10.71 to win the boys 17-18 100 meters. 

C-Falls’ Lara gets 79-point ride at NHSFR 

LINCOLN, Neb. — Azreal Lara out of Columbia Falls won his round in bareback riding at the National High School Finals Rodeo and as of Tuesday sits second through the first go at 79 points. 

Hayden Weiser of Walcott, N.D., posted an 81 to overtake Lara, who as a 16-year-wold won a second National Juniors bareback championship in December 2024.  

Montanans dot the standings as the first go continues: Trace Poppe out of Fallan is 12 th in the saddle bronc (64); William Barnett of Absarokee earned 75 points to tie for fourth with three others in the bareback.  

The Finals continue through Saturday. Results can be tracked at nhsra.com. 

A’s sign Riders’ Alex Fernandes 

Alex Fernandes, who hit .367 through 28 games with the Glacier Range Riders, became the Pioneer League franchise’s 14th player to sign a Major League deal, the team announced Monday. 

The Athletics, soon to relocate to Las Vegas, signed the outfielder and leadoff hitter after he piled up big numbers in little more than a month in Kalispell: An on-base percentage of .523 through 98 at-bats, three triples, 35 runs scored and 36 stolen bases. The Range Riders’ single-season steals record is 43. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Athletics organization for giving me this opportunity to continue chasing my dream,” Fernandes said in a team statement. “My first month of professional baseball with the Range Riders was an experience I’ll never forget.  I’m excited for this next step, but I’ll  always appreciate the role Glacier played in starting my professional career.” 

Fernandes is the fifth Range Rider to land an MLB contract in 2026.