Landon Richards is used to going above and beyond, and the more pressure there is, the better he likes it. Maybe that is why he keeps setting new high jump records.

Anyone that high jumps knows what it’s like to perform when everyone is watching, and the pressure of the moment is only compounded when new record attempts are up in the air. Being the center of attention comes with the territory, in the high jump it’s the ultimate game of put-up or shut-up. You are the focus of the crowd’s attention, either you clear the bar, or you don’t. And everyone watching knows right away.

“I like it like that, feel like it is my chance to prove what I can do,” Richards said of performing at crunch time. "It’s the situation I like best, getting it done when it counts most, like it’s my turn to shine.”

Well-accustomed, a veteran to that kind of pressure by now, Superior’s two-time defending State C champion and current State C record holder in the high jump, Richards, who will be a senior at Superior in a few short weeks, concluded his phenomenal, history-making season of jumping competing in the USATF Region 11 Junior Olympics in Pocatello two weeks ago, winning second place with a best jump of 6 feet, 8.75 inches.

Although he automatically qualified for the USA National Junior Olympics in Norwalk, California at Cerritos College July 27-Aug. 2 with his top-five finish, Richards said he is done competing in the high jump for the calendar year and is busy concentrating on preparing for his upcoming senior season of sports for the Bobcats.

The top high school high jumper in any class in Montana this past season, Richards thinks he could have done well at nationals had he attended the meet in California, pointing to his big-meet mentality. 

“I think I would have done pretty well,” he said. “It would have been interesting to see, but I have other commitments and had not planned on going.”

Truly an athlete for all seasons, the 6-4 Richards is also an important member of the Bobcat football and basketball teams, earning all-conference and all-state honors in football and second team all-conference honors in basketball last school year.

Richards looks forward to an exciting senior season as the Bobcats expect to field very strong squads in every sport of his choice next school year. “Each sport has its season and we’re looking pretty good for football and basketball,” he said. “It should be fun.”

After his successful football and basketball seasons last year, all Richards did for Superior high this past spring was set new school and State C records in the high jump, sweeping to the District 14C, Western C and State C titles along the way, clearing an insane height of 6-9.5 to win the State C crown in Laurel, defending the title he first won with a jump of 6-6 in 2025.

Not a one-trick trackster, Richards also excels in the hurdles races and runs legs on the relays as needed, in addition to his high jump heroics. Besides his high jump title, Richards also won third place in the 110 meter hurdles in the State C meet in May.

Richards credits jump coaches Chris Quinlivan and April Quinlan, and Superior head coach Logan Labbe for much of his high jump success. Landon also went the extra miles himself this summer by practicing and competing with the Mountain West Track Club out of Missoula, gaining more quality coaching there.

Richards said Superior teammates Ava White, Gannon Quinlan and George Hanson also all took advantage of the Mountain West Track Club opportunity this summer.

Richards said that high jump practice in Superior is challenging but that he has learned to make do. Since the high jump area, a small paved section, does not accommodate his long run up to jumping he has improvised, reorienting the landing area and approaching from a different angle to get the correct distance.

Being so close now, one had to ask if a seven foot high jump is possible next season? “It’s not out of the question,” he said confidently. “I definitely think it is do-able, we will have to see.”

Richards said several schools have expressed an interest in recruiting him for track and field but that he has not made any decisions regarding college at this point.

    QUALITY COACHING is one of the reasons Landon Richards thinks he has performed so well in the high jump these past few seasons. Richards is pictured conferring with Superior assistant coach April Quinlan during the Western C divisional meet in Missoula May 22. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)