When Durango High School boys soccer captain Logan Fullington first heard that new coach Aaron Champenoy preached conditioning, he was a little skeptical. But with just three games remaining in the regular season, Fullington and the rest of the Demons soccer team understand why and are more confident than ever.
“Our last coach focused much more on the tactics of the game, and he thought the conditioning came through playing,” Fullington said. “When we first heard that Aaron was our new coach and he had college coaching experience, and he said he was going to run us a lot, we really didn’t know what to expect. We were kind of freaked out almost, because no one likes conditioning. But I think that our conditioning has helped us. When we’re struggling in those tough moments and having a hard time breathing, it really brings us together, and you can see it in the game as well, where we push each other even more then.”
Durango moved up to No. 2 in the latest installment of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 4A poll, as the Demons received 65 points. The Demons are 11-1-0 on the season and are undefeated in 5A/4A Southwestern League play at 5-0. Saturday, the team earned a resounding 5-2 victory over league rival Montrose.
Fullington, son of John and Shawna, is leading the team in both goals (12) and points (31), which is currently the 19th highest mark in the state. He has averaged 1.1 goals per game and has seven assists on the season. In the match against Montrose, Fullington scored on a free kick from 25 yards out and got an assist in the win.
Head coach Aaron Champenoy credited Fullington’s ability to lead through conditioning as a big reason why the Demons have been successful.
“I think I caught a lot of guys off guard when I first came in and how I was going to do things, and I think Logan was one of the guys who was questioning if we were going to honor the things we’ve done in the past,” Champenoy said. “...We had a couple talks, and we agreed we were going to put a couple of new twists in the game plan, and I think it took him a few games to gain my trust, but after we beat Battle Mountain in a tight game early in the season, I think he started to see the benefits of how we were going to do things and how it would help the team. Once he bought in mentally, he became one of the hardest workers and has given me everything he’s got everyday, and those are the results that you see on game day.”
Fullington said that the transition to Champenoy has not changed the senior class’ mentality and said they have only gotten stronger.
“I think the seniors have a really good connection and it’s with the juniors as well,” Fullington said. “Guys like Leland (Heinicke) and Andrew Saddler, and kids like that have been on our DYSA team since sixth grade, and to have that chemistry is really important in a high school team like this, where mentality and chemistry is such a big thing. We’re trying to rewrite history by making it past the final four, and I think we can with this group.”
Champenoy said that once Fullington understood what the game plan was, he stepped up and led the team day in and day out. Even before Champenoy was sure he would come to Durango, it was Fullington who led the summer workouts and reached out to communicate news and scheduling. In other words, Champenoy said, a captain.
“I think he was the kid who wanted to be a leader this year, and I think he came in with a certain mindset, and maybe not all the guys bought into it at first,” Champenoy said. “But once they saw him training hard every day, and they see him getting the results in the matches, I think it was that natural progression of earning that leadership role, not because he wanted it but because he earned it.”
Fullington will lead his team against Grand Junction Central at 11 a.m. Saturday at Durango High School.
bploen@ durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
What is your favorite sports movie?:
“The Benchwarmers”
What is your nickname?:
“Logi Bear”
Who is your favorite artist?:
Lil Wayne. I really like his new album and his comeback.
What is your dream car?:
A Nissan GT-R.
If you could have any superpower, what would you pick?:
Telekinesis because it’s so superior to any other power and you can control other people.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?:
Manchester, England, to see a Manchester Derby between Manchester United and Manchester City.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?:
I love skiing Purgatory. Even in soccer season, I’m looking forward to an El Niño winter and shredding some powder.
Which teacher has had the Greatest impact on you?:
My honors world history teacher, Mr. Ed Cash, because he taught us a lot about other religions, and it really opened our minds to a new perspective.
What is your favorite childhood book?:
“Looking for Alaska” by John Green.
What is your favorite local restaurant?:
Backcountry Gourmet at 11th Street Station. Their barbecue bacon sliders are great.
Who is your role model?:
My mom – she’s really hard-working and always has time to make it to my games in some way even after traveling a lot.
