Jimmy Reed Signs With Montana State University Billings
Growing up in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, James (Jimmy) Reed didn’t have a big training group, a club system, or a traditional team environment. Most days, it was just Jimmy and his brother — running alone, pushing each other, figuring out cross country and track one long run, interval session, or race at a time.
This fall, that same small-town athlete officially signed with Montana State University Billings, where he’ll join the Yellowjackets in the NCAA Division II GNAC conference and begin studying sciences in 2026.
It’s the culmination of years of development, family commitment, and a recruitment plan that evolved step by step.
Head coach Jonathan Woehl is looking forward to having the Vanderhoof product on his roster at MSUB:
Jimmy is an outstanding student and runner. He will be a great fit on our team and make an immediate impact on his teammates. I'm looking forward to working with him as he continues to mature and improve as a student, athlete and person.
A raw athlete with real potential
When Jimmy and I first met, he was leaning toward cross country and the steeplechase. As he grew physically and mentally, his profile shifted toward speed-endurance. Over the last season, the 800 became his emerging strength.
He ended the 2025 season with personal bests of 2:02.81 (800m) and 4:17.33 (1500m) — not quite the sub-two 800 personal best Jimmy was chasing, but enough to tell coaches this kid has room to grow.
Jimmy sees it too:
“I’m open to any path the coach wants me to run, but I think he wants me to focus on the 800. I feel like I have lots of room for improvement.”
For this season, his goal is simple: break 1:57 and make the BC High School Championships 800m final.
That’s realistic with the way he trains.
Why MSUB was the right fit
Jimmy explored U SPORTS, NAIA programs, and NCAA opportunities. What stood out about Montana State University Billings wasn’t a flashy pitch, but the people.
Jimmy visited MSUB in the fall and immediately connected with head coach Jonathan Woehl and the Yellowjackets team.
“Meeting the team was huge. At that moment at the [XC] race during my visit, I kind of decided I wanted to go there,” says Jimmy.
Seeing the team compete reinforced what Jimmy wanted: a supportive environment, athletes who cared about each other, and a coaching staff invested in development.
Jimmy’s dad, Mike, agrees:
“My wife, son and I believe we have found a good fit for him at MSUB that makes for an easier transition to university life for a kid from a small town.”
A realistic NCAA pathway for Canadian athletes
Jimmy’s signing highlights an important reality for Canadian student-athletes: NCAA Division II programs offer real opportunity.
With Division I roster and scholarship changes tightening the pathway for many high school athletes, D2 programs remain a smart and competitive option for student-athletes balancing academics, growth potential, and scholarship fit.
A student-athlete in every sense
Academics were one of the strongest pieces of Jimmy’s recruitment profile. With a mid-90s average (4.0 GPA), he separated himself from the pack with excellent scholastics.
"Universities want someone who can run but also do the schoolwork. My grades really helped with scholarships and opportunities.”
Jimmy will enter the Broadfield Science program at MSUB, a great starting point for someone who has always gravitated toward sciences.
Whether on the track or in the lab, he’s stepping into university as a blank canvas with the potential to carve out a specialty over the next four years.
The family behind the journey
Jimmy’s recruitment succeeded because each person in his family played their role at the right time.
Mike and mom, Li-Ching, stepped in when budgeting, academics, or major decisions needed clarity, but they always made sure Jimmy’s level of responsibility grew as he matured. Mike made it clear that the final decision was always going to be Jimmy’s.
It produced confidence, not pressure.
Jimmy summed it up simply:
“My parents motivated me when things got hard. They believed in me the whole time.”
From the parent perspective, the journey was long, detailed, and full of nuance.
Mike put it this way:
“The recruitment process can be a very long journey. It can also be very technical with many nuances to it. We needed help to understand everything. A guide is helpful and it allows the athlete to focus more on training and competition. We turned to Streamline. We have found Brett at Streamline to be a genuine, valuable and useful guide throughout this entire process. We definitely recommend using his services.”
Working with Streamline Athletes
Jimmy has been using Streamline Athletes for several years. As he progressed through high school, he updated his profile consistently and later used Streamline Athletes Pro to navigate the key stages of his recruitment.
We worked through:
- realistic performance targets
- identifying school types across NCAA, NAIA, and U SPORTS
- academic positioning
- budgeting
- location preferences
- decision-making timelines
And for families curious about the difference personalized guidance can make, Jimmy’s story is a strong example.
Looking ahead
Jimmy enters MSUB with momentum, untapped potential, academic strength, and a genuine love for the sport.
“I just want to get down there and see what my specialty is. I’m excited for the opportunity and the new experiences.”
Personally, I can’t wait to see Jimmy develop in the GNAC. I’m proud of the work he put in to get here.
If your family is starting this journey…
Jimmy’s signing shows what can happen when a motivated athlete, supportive family, and clear plan align.
If you (or your son or daughter) is exploring varsity opportunities, the best starting point is a 1:1 advising session. We’ll cover athletics, academics, finances, and geography, and build a practical plan your family can follow.
➡️ Book an advising session with Brett
Use code BM10 for 10% off.
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