Durango High School track and field star David Moenning burst on the scene as a senior as fast as he finished the 2015-16 high school sports season.
Moenning already had one state championship under his belt with the ultra-talented DHS cross country team that was ranked seventh in the nation at one point in the fall. In the last hurrah of spring sports and his high school career, Moenning made history en route to being named The Durango Herald Breakout Prep Performer.
“It was something four years in the making and something David has worked incredibly hard for,” Durango cross country and track and field head coach David McMillan said. “It was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.”
His incredible 1-minute, 51-second final leg of the 4x800 meter relay at this year’s Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A Track and Field Championships left the field in the dust as the Demons celebrated at the finish line. Their time of 7:53.60 was 11th best in state history.
He wasn’t done, though.
The very next day, Moenning became the first student-athlete in Durango High School history to win two state titles at one meet after a blazing 1:52.26 in the 800-meter run. The time is third fastest in CHSAA Class 4A history and seventh fastest ever in Colorado.
“I feel like I accomplished a lot this year, so I think it’s cool to know that someone did even more to beat me out for athlete of the year,” said Moenning, son of Amy and Joshua Moenning. “It’s really a testament to the type of athletes we have around here. I’m definitely honored and humbled to be recognized with all talent we have in this area.”
While the area is certainly rich with talent, Moenning’s personal accomplishments are staggering.
He is the first DHS athlete in 30 years to win three state championships in one season. He is a three-time All-State recipient, nine-time Class 4A/5A Southwestern League champion and graduated as the school record holder in the 4x800 and 800. He is ranked 30th in the nation in the 800 and 48th in the 4x800 relay.
The success earned him an invite to compete at the New Balance National Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 16-19 in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is the first time since the 1980s an athlete from Durango High School will compete at nationals.
In the meantime, Moenning will represent Colorado this weekend at the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico.
He will continue his running career at powerhouse Western State University, where he will compete in cross country and track and field with fellow Demons Nicholas Turco and Jordan Helms.
jfries@durangoherald.com
