David Winkler

North Mesquite High School Track & Football, Class of 1990

David Winkler authored one of the most successful careers in Texas track and field history, dominating the shot put during his time at North Mesquite High School. He remains one of only three athletes to win the UIL state shot put championship three times in the state's largest classification. Winkler's success extended beyond Texas. In 1989, he captured the United States Junior Championship and won a Pan-American Games gold medal in the shot put. The following year, he was named an All-American by Track & Field News and represented the United States at the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria.

A standout multi-sport athlete, Winkler also earned first-team all-district and all-area honors as an offensive lineman for the Stallions football team. He later found success in Olympic weightlifting, winning three state championships from 1996 to 1998. Ranked second nationally in the super heavyweight division in 1996, he earned a bronze medal in the clean and jerk at the 1997 USA Weightlifting Championships.