MHS Runner Thiago Luna Is Not Done Breaking Records

By Sam Bernardi for The Montgomery News | Posted November 3, 2026

Montgomery senior Thiago Luna arrives at his cross country or track races and likes to chat with teammates and friends from different schools. That is, until the race is about to start.

“I try not to think about the race at all. I’m fully not locked in until I’m on that start line,” Luna said. “I always try to think happy thoughts.”

Montgomery High School Runner Thiago Luna

It is easier to think happy thoughts when you hold the winter indoor track record in the 800m, which Luna broke as a junior with a 1:57.40 time.

“The pain was just numb. Like, I didn’t feel anything. I know I should have been on the floor… but my smile was so wide,” Luna said.

His cross country head coach Tim Bartholomew – who has worked plenty with Luna during the winter season – tries to instill a long-distance mindset into his captain.

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“It’s hard to make that transition,” Bartholomew said. “He does a great job with it, but I am constantly reminding him; I’m like, ‘You know, you got to remember, right now, these next three months, you’re a cross country runner.’ … He loves to do anything fast.” “He’s a competitor. I never rule him out for anything,” Bartholomew added.

Luna’s endurance training has paid off and he routinely finishes in the Cougars’ top three on the course, even if the itch of track season and the high-speed events scratch at him.

A confident student-athlete, Luna’s personality shines during meets.

“He’s a great finisher. A lot of times, he won’t be in our top three or won’t be in the top two, you know, two miles into it. And then all of a sudden I see him being the first one to finish in the race for us,” he said.

Luna carries aspirations of breaking the indoor 400m and outdoor 800m top times.

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“But you want to know you tried your best with the conditions that were given,” Luna said. For Bartholomew, Luna’s balancing act between fierce runner and friendly person stands out more than any PRs.

“When he can get on the track, he can turn it on and be that aggressive competitor who’s going to fight you to the end. And then when he comes off the track, he’s going to be the kid that shakes your hand, tells you you did a great job,” Bartholomew said.

As for next year, Luna has narrowed in on several colleges and hopes to run at the Division III level.