USD 249 Frontenac Schools Hall of Fame

DAVID BRUENJES-MANGILE

Inducted 2024

David was a proud graduate of Frontenac High School, having graduated in 1981. Throughout his high school years, he distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete in multiple sports including Football, Basketball, and Track. In his freshman year, he earned the title of Regional Javelin Champion and placed third in both the discus and shot put events at the regional level, while also demonstrating his talent at the State Track Meet with a fourth-place finish in javelin, sixth in discus, and seventh in shot put. As a sophomore, he achieved unanimous first-team All Conference honors as a linebacker, along with an All State honorable mention. He continued his winning streak as the Regional Javelin and Discus Champion and secured another third-place finish in shot put, culminating in another strong performance at the State Track Meet. His junior year saw him recognized as a unanimous first-team All Conference linebacker and running back, in addition to receiving All State first-team honors as a linebacker. He also triumphed as the Regional Champion in both javelin and discus, finishing second in javelin at the State Track Meet while placing fourth in discus and sixth in shot put. In his senior year, he maintained his status as a unanimous All Conference linebacker, running back, and kicker, earning All State first-team accolades once again. He was the Regional Champion in javelin and set a regional record in discus with the furthest throw in the state, which remains a Frontenac High School record. At the State Track Meet, he secured first place in javelin with a state record throw, while also finishing fourth in discus and fifth in shot put, ultimately qualifying for the State High School Track Meet twelve times in javelin, shot put, and discus throughout his career. He was selected to the Kansas Shrine Bowl in 1981 and was honored on June 13, 1981, with a proclamation declaring it David Bruenjes Day by Mayor Jack Coomes. He qualified for the 1981 A.A.U. Track National meet but was unable to attend due to illness, yet he triumphed as the A.A.U. Regional Champion in javelin and discus, finishing third in shot put. David earned a full-ride scholarship to Pittsburg State University for both football and track, contributing to the football team that became the national runner-up in 1981 and garnering notable placements in various track meets as a freshman, particularly in javelin.