Bernie Montoya’s journey beyond the track: From Arizona running star to mentor at Cibola

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) — Bernie Montoya built his name as one of Arizona’s most accomplished high school runners, winning 11 state championships, setting state records in three distance events and earning statewide recognition for his success.

But after reaching the heights of the sport, Montoya faced a health scare in college that threatened to end his running career. Years later, he has returned to his alma mater, Cibola High School, with a renewed purpose: helping the next generation of runners reach their potential.

Montoya’s high school career was filled with accomplishments, including state records in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year honors and a victory at the Adidas Dream Mile in New York.

One of his most memorable moments came during a crowded state championship race.

With a couple laps to go, Montoya felt his shoe slipping. The young Cibola star thought it would be best to kick off his shoe and continue the race.

Montoya ended up finishing in first, cementing himself as an Arizona racing legend.

His accomplishments established him as the most successful runner to emerge from Yuma. But his collegiate career at Arizona State took an unexpected turn during his sophomore year.

While playing catch with friends, Montoya suddenly lost consciousness. Doctors began investigating whether he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that can make intense physical activity dangerous.

Further testing revealed what doctors initially believed was scar tissue in his heart, prompting one physician to tell him his running career was over.

Montoya was preparing for surgery to receive an implantable defibrillator when his family sought another opinion. His sister, who worked at Phoenix Children’s Hospital at the time, helped him get an appointment with another doctor.

That evaluation changed everything.

The doctor reviewed Montoya’s MRI and questioned the original interpretation, explaining that the images were too blurry to provide a clear reading.

Montoya spent six months sidelined from running and weightlifting while undergoing additional testing. Eventually, he passed his cardiac MRI, stress test and genetic testing, and his results returned to normal.

The news gave Montoya another chance to pursue the sport he loved.

He credits his family, particularly his parents and sister, for helping him navigate the uncertainty and find answers when his future was in doubt.

After his collegiate career, Montoya eventually found another way to remain connected to running through coaching. He spent five years coaching at Chandler High School in the Phoenix area before deciding to return home to Yuma and his alma mater.

For Montoya, the move was about more than coming back to familiar surroundings. It was an opportunity to give back to the program that helped shape him.

“I think Yuma has talent,” Montoya said. “I loved coaching at Chandler. I had a good time there, but I just didn’t see myself there long term. I was ready to come home, and I want to help out. I want to give back to this program that gave me a lot.”

His return has made an impression on Cibola’s athletes and coaching staff.

Kevin McLean said Montoya’s accomplishments give local runners a tangible example of what someone from their community can achieve.

“These kids can see, ‘Hey, if he can do it, I’m from the same place. What can I do?’” McLean said.

Jose Villasenor also described Montoya’s return as an inspiration for the program, pointing to the significance of having a former national-level runner come back to his roots.

For the athletes, Montoya’s experience extends beyond training plans and race times.

Cibola senior captain Bella Ochoa said he understands the challenges student-athletes face while balancing academics, extracurricular activities and competition. She also values his perspective when a race does not go as planned.

“He tells me that one run, one race doesn’t define me as a person and as a runner,” Ochoa said. “So if I have one bad day, it doesn’t define me as a person in general.”

Runner Victor Hernandez said Montoya has brought new training methods to the program, including more speed and hill workouts designed to improve power and endurance.

Montoya sees parts of his younger self in the athletes he coaches, but he also understands that their journeys will be different from his own.

For him, their growth is now one of the most rewarding parts of the sport.

“I do enjoy seeing them grow and progress,” Montoya said.

The same sport that once brought Montoya to the top of Arizona’s running scene and later threatened to take it all away has given him a new way forward. By returning to Cibola, he hopes to help the next generation of Raiders discover their own potential, and perhaps find their own path to the top.