Stop me if you heard or read, "Landon Helms breaks another record." For those in the Gem state as well as around the country, Texas A&M-bound Landon Helms has become a household name in the track and field community, especially those in the hurdle and pole vault silos. His senior season, Helms never lost a 110-hurdle race, and only took second place once in the pole vault at the Arcadia Invitational in California. In his 16 110HH-races, Helms averaged 14.05, while dipping under 14-seconds six times with his fastest being 13.67w (+3.5), 13.69 wind-legal, good enough for #14 in the country. In the pole vault, he cleared a lifetime-best of 17-02.00, and vaulted higher than 16-feet seven out of his nine competitions while ranking #5 in the United States. While the high hurdles and the pole vault are his bread and butter, he holds impressive credentials in other events as well. He ran 11.09 at the NSAF Nike Outdoor Nationals in June, he has a best of 21.92 in the 200m, 38.07 in the 300IH, and a personal best 23-01.00 in the long jump. At the 4A Idaho state championships, he closed out his Emmett career with four state titles, including a state record in the 110HH (13.67wP, 13.69F). Helms won the 300IH (38.15), pole vault (15-00.00), and set a new personal best with his winning long jump of 23.01.00.
At the conclusion of his high school career, he kicked off a memorable summer that included a NSAF National Championship and a USATF U20 National title in the decathlon on back-to-back weekends, eclipsing the 7K barrier with his score of 7,051 points.
The cherry on the top of this senior campaign came after winning the Idaho Boys Track & Field Gatorade Player of the Year. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Helms as Idaho's best high school boys track & field athlete. Some of those "off the track" accolades include his 3.98 grade point average in the classroom, as well as volunteering locally with youth track and field, community service avenues, as well as with his church.
Helms isn't done just yet, as he has one last competition before he shuts it down and prepares for college. To find out more, let's here from the man himself about how he felt his season went, what his goals were and more.
Q: First, what was your top highlight from this past season?
My top highlight from this past season would have to be winning the decathlon at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, and within the span of one week also winning the U20 Championships for the decathlon as well but also being National Runner-Up in pole vault at the Nike Outdoor Nationals as well.
Q: Coming into the 2022 season, what were some of your main goals you wanted to accomplish?
Coming into 2022, I really only had 4 goals which were:
1. Vault 18'
2. Run sub 14 in the 110 hurdles.
3. Redeem myself in the 300IH because of what happened at state the year previous.
4. Win 4 events at the state meet
Q: What were some of the things that led you to choose Texas A&M?
There were quite a few things that led me to choose Texas A&M but what I'll cut it down to was the fact they had my exact degree that I want to study, I absolutely love the coaches. They are just so amazing and great people. The program is growing drastically, and I believe we have the potential to win a national championship while I am there. The team atmosphere and the atmosphere of the entire campus is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Everyone is so friendly and kind and it's just a very positive place to be. And their amazing facilities definitely helped a bit but what made it stand out to me was the home feel that I got while I was there that wasn't like anywhere else I had visited. It just felt like home.
Q: If there was one thing, or one lesson, that senior Landon Helms would like to tell freshman Landon Helms, what would it be?
One thing I would tell my freshman self would be that everything is temporary. Good days and bad days come and go and they all have their place in time. But even though every day isn't always the best day, there's always a best part about each day.
Q: Lastly, when will be your final competition before you shut it down and prepare for college life, and what are your goals for your final competition?
My final competition before I bring my high school track career to an end will be next week at the National Junior Olympics taking place in Sacramento, CA. This will be my 4th Junior Olympics and I intend to go out with a bang. I will be competing in the decathlon, 110 hurdles, and pole vault and I intend on going after my own version of a "triple crown" by winning all three of these events. And from my understanding, nobody in the history of track and field has ever tried to go after a running event, field event, and multi event in the span of a National meet. Everyone always tells me I'm crazy for doing so much and they don't understand how I am able to do it all but here's what I'll say, yes I am crazy and yes, it is a lot but, I'm not like anyone you've ever met.
Helms undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the Idaho track and field world and produced marks that will certainly stand tall for years to come. His final competition as a high school athlete will be next week at the USATF Junior Olympics, July 25-31 at Sacramento State University in Sacramento, CA. The decathlon will take place on Monday and Tuesday, July 25-26 with events starting at 10:00am PST on Monday and 10:30am PST on Tuesday. The first round of the 110HH will take place on Thursday, July 28 at 10:00am, while the pole vault will go straight to the finals on Sunday July 31 at 10:00am PST. If Helms makes the final of the 110HH, it will also be contested on July 31 at 11:30am, an hour and a half after the start of the pole vault. If there is an athlete that can multitask and juggle events, Landon Helms is that guy.
Follow Landon's progress at USATF National JO's. Click Below for Results
