Durango High School’s Aiden Urban had to work hard to earn a starting job on one of the best soccer teams in DHS history last fall. Now, he’s trying to use the same determination and grit to help him qualify for the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 4A State Track and Field Meet.
Urban is ranked 32nd in the 4A class in the 800-meter run. He finished second in Saturday’s Coronado High School Cougar Classic in Colorado Springs against a stacked field of the state’s top talent. His time of 2:02.55 isn’t quite good enough to qualify, but Urban has two weeks to get into the top 18 – and he knows what it’s going to take to make it.
“Well, it’s a combination of two things,” he said. “Coming to practice with the goal of working your butt off, doing the full workouts and not cheating. Second, for me, is being able to train with teammates who push me and make sure we’re doing things right.”
The hard work comes natural to Urban. Like his brother Austin, who graduated from DHS in 2016 and played soccer, Aiden worked his way up from the DHS C-team to a starter on the varsity squad. He wasn’t blessed with the most talent on the team, but Urban’s work ethic was second to none.
“Aiden Urban is one of those players we just cherish as coaches,” Durango head soccer coach Dalon Parker said. “He works so hard. His parents own a business in town and Aiden would ride his bike to practice and workouts straight from work. He’d work his tail off in practice and ride his bike back to work for the family business. Words can’t explain the type of respect I have for Aiden and the Urban family as a whole. I hope my son has the kind of work ethic those kids have.”
Urban expected to play on the varsity soccer team his junior year, but a surplus of talent forced Parker to keep him on junior varsity.
“We were loaded up at his position and I didn’t want him just sitting on the bench during varsity games,” Parker said. “He was bummed, but he handled it so well. He never complained once and asked what he needed to do to get better. He worked so hard that he came back and broke the team’s fitness record before his senior season.”
With that kind of stamina and endurance, Parker recommended that Urban run track. It’s been a great decision, as Urban has made incredible strides in his first season running for Demons head track coach David McMillan.
“I really wish I had him all four years,” McMillan said. “He’s a rock star and is always offering to help or asking what more he can do for the team. He takes in information so well and adapts quickly. He’s right there in the mix to qualify for state in the 800.”
McMillan believes the last hurdle for Urban is the mental aspect of the race, but Urban’s extraordinary learning curve has prompted improvement each week.
Urban is also a good learner in the classroom and personifies what a student-athlete is supposed to be. He is the student council vice president and holds a grade point average that hovers around 4.0. Urban eventually wants to be a lawyer, and he’ll begin his next chapter of hard work studying political science at University of Denver next year.
Right now, though, he has two weeks left to post the state-qualifying time he has been working all spring to achieve. Earlier this season, Urban ran a 1:59.00 leg with the Demons’ 4x800 relay team, which would be good enough to get him in.
“I know I can do it, but the conditions have to be right and I’ll need some good competition to push me through,” he said. “It’s nice to have this opportunity. I’m so grateful to the track team for accepting me this year. They put in four years of work at this and were kind enough to share their hard work and what they discovered with me in my first year. It’s a great team.”
Urban’s next shot at a state-qualifying time will come Saturday at the DHS-hosted Southwestern League meet.
jfries@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
What is your nickname?: People call me BFG or Big Friendly Giant.
What is your favorite sports movie?: Kicking and Screaming
What is your favorite outdoor activity?: Trail running
Who is your favorite athlete?: Aaron Rodgers
What place would you like to visit one day?: New Zealand
What is your favorite restaurant in town?: May Palace
What is your favorite book?: Percy Jackson & the Olympians series
Who is your celebrity crush?: Emma Watson
Which teacher or coach has had a great impact on your life?: Dalon Parker hands down. He saw potential in me when I was a freshman and pushed me to get the most out of my talents.
Do you have any hidden talents?: I don’t know if this is a talent, but I’m double-jointed in my elbows, knees and shoulders.
