Although the 2026 outdoor track and field season is still fresh, one athlete has stood out from the crowd to make an early name for himself this season. As of now, senior Blake Sturgis has recorded a podium finish in every meet he has attended, as he continues to dominate the men’s javelin throw. So far, his consistency and powerful performances have quickly made him a key athlete to watch, setting the tone for what could be a standout final season.
After graduating high school back in 2022, Sturgis took his javelin talent to the corn state of Iowa to attend Dubuque Collegiate. Once there, the young freshman quickly turned heads by beginning his collegiate career with a bang with four first place finishes in the javelin.
His success continued as he attended the Augustana College Midwest Twilight Qualifier, where he placed second. Sturgis also qualified for the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Championships, in which he finished fourth capping off a truly impressive freshman year.
As a sophomore, Sturgis transferred to Washington State University, where he threw for the Cougars for two years. In just two years at Washington State, Sturgis transformed into a young key player for the Cougars as he threatened in nearly every meet he attended.
In his sophomore year, Sturgis secured gold in the 2024 Buc Scoring Invite, as well as the 2024 Cougar Classic Invitational, while also recording multiple top five performances in other meets as well. To finish off his sophomore year, he competed in the 2024 West Division I Outdoor Championship, where he recorded a best 62.90-meter throw.
Going into his junior year, Sturgis would have another dominant year as he went on to take gold in the 2025 Pacific Coast Invitational and the 2025 WSU Cougar Classic, as well as the 2025 PAC 12 Open. He again appeared in the Division I West Outdoor Championships, finishing the day with a best throw of 67.92 meters.
Now going into his senior year, Sturgis took his talents across the border to attend the University of Idaho to finish his incredible career as a Vandal.
Now that the 2026 outdoor track and field season has been officially underway, Sturgis has shown quite early that he might be having one of his best seasons of the year. To start the new season, Sturgis attended the 2026 Sam Adams Classic in his hometown of Spokane,Washington.
He went out and put on a show for his hometown, as he took first in the javelin with a 66.62-meter throw. Thanks to his stellar performance, Sturgis won the Big Sky Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, solidifying himself as an Idaho field star in his next meet at the West Coast Relays, in Fresno, California.
There he went on to make history, throwing a career best 68.25-meter throw, while also recording the third best throw in school history. Sturgis has had such a great start to the season that he is already the best men’s javelin thrower with a 13-meter lead on second place.
With momentum building and confidence at an all-time high, Sturgis is quickly positioning himself as one of the most dominant athletes in the conference heading into the heart of the season.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on Sturgis to see just how far he can take his final year. With each throw, he isn’t just competing, he’s building a legacy defined by growth, resilience and excellence at every level of his journey.
Whether it’s chasing a conference title or making a push toward the national stage, one thing is certain, Sturgis isn’t just finishing his career, he’s launching it to new heights, one throw at a time.