Moses Lake grad takes third at nationals

Moore had personal best performance at track meet

MOSES LAKE — David Moore decided to play track just because it was the off-season for football. He never imagined that track would take him to Indianapolis, Ind. where he competed in the USA junior track and field national championships.

Moore competed in Javelin throw in the young men's age division. His throw of 192' 5" was a personal best and good enough for third place at nationals.

"I just want to thank all the teachers and football coaches that helped me get to this point," Moore said.

His previous personal best was 185' 3" at the Inland Northwest Junior Olympics Association Championships in June. He placed first in the competition and earned a spot at the region 13 championships.

While training for the regional championships Moore injured his shoulder. He still competed in the event but did not have his best performance. He threw 177' 10" and finished in first place again. Second place was not far behind with a throw of 177' 3".

There were factors besides his shoulder that contributed to Moore's poor performance at the regional championships.

"I was about 80 percent before the meet because of my shoulder," Moore said. "It was also humid and there was not a lot of wind, I think contributing to the low scores."

If the wind is not blowing, 'dead air' or the weather has high humidity, it will adversely affect a javelin throw.

He explains that before competing a good javelin thrower will make a note of which way the wind is blowing and how high and how fast. Javelin throwers try to catch the wind with the javelin, which carries it farther. Moore said it can easily add 15 feet to a good throw.

"I think I have pretty good form," Moore said. "I only look for the direction of the wind and try to throw into it."

With the regional title all sewn up; Moore headed down to Indianapolis. He paid for the trip with help from his grandmother and she accompanied him to the meet.

Moore was ranked fifth heading into the meet and needed the best performance of his life to place in the top three. Fortunately, he had recovered from his shoulder injury and was ready to give his best.

The top eight finishers from preliminaries advanced to the finals, Moore was sixth. When the Javelin finals came it was nearly the last event and instead of running events being announced, over the PA system came the name of each athlete as they prepared to throw.

"Having my name announced gave me a little boost," Moore said. "I knew I had to give it my all."

Each athlete gets three throws in the finals. It was Moore's final throw that sailed a personal best 192' 5". Moore didn't even like the throw but the results were still great.

"My coach asks me after every throw how it felt on a scale of 1-to-10," Moore said. "That last throw felt like a three."

Now Moore is in the off-season and can take a break from training. Currently Moore's coach, Dave E. Alporque, is competing in a USATF event in Hawaii. Alporque donates his time to coaching Moore because, as Moore says it, "he likes helping people and can help just about any athlete, from baseball to track."

Moore graduated from Moses Lake high school this past spring and, after not getting a satisfying scholarship offer from any colleges, has decided to attend Big Bend Community College starting in the fall.

He is 17 years old and still eligible for the USA junior track and field national championships next year in Hawaii. Moore is currently looking for sponsors to help with the cost of attending the nationals.

After nationals Moore plans to enroll in a four-year University. He wants to get a scholarship but if none are offered he will choose a local University and be a walk-on for their track program.

After school, Moore would like a career as a dentist, doctor or sheriff. He says he wants to help people and is leaning more towards becoming a sheriff.