After placing first in all her cross-country meets, 14th in state of at least 100 girls and placing ninth in the state 6A and 7A divisions at the All Stars meet last Nov. 17, senior Melinda Murdock knows what it’s like to have to be the best, to constantly push herself past her limit. For her, enough will never be enough.
Murdock has always been a track girl, but when her coach suggested cross-country to keep her in top form during off-season, she was in for a dramatic change of pace.
“I was 15 when I started cross-country, and I honestly had no motivation,” Murdock said. “Coach [Danny] Westbrook suggested that I do cross-country to stay in shape for track, and I did it and ended up doing really well.”
Murdock placed second in the Ouachita Baptist Invitational; first out of 200 girls in Russellville, and 30th out of 437 girls at the Chili Pepper meet Oct.5.
Even at the beginning as a cross-country runner, Murdock already had a hidden talent for it, which has grown to put her at the top of the list for her senior year.
“She’s been our lead runner this season,” said Westbrook. “Early in her high school career she thought she was strictly a track runner, but since she decided to also do cross-country she has proved to be one of the most versatile runners I’ve ever had. She’s pretty incredible at both track and cross-country and her achievements in both sports are to many to count.”
For others, it’s easy to forget that even the best people are simply human and share fears and doubts like everyone else.
“When I’m starting off a race, I get really nervous, but I use my nerves to get my heart pumping and excitement flowing so I can do well in the race. It helps get my mind in the right place,” Murdock said. “After I finish a race, even if I come in first, my initial thoughts are usually that I completed the race, but did I push myself hard enough? Did I do the absolute best I can do?”
Murdock can handle an elbow to the face, and still get back into her rhythm.
“In one of my first races, the last 400 meters of the race finished in a curve and I was neck and neck with this girl the whole race. When we made the turn, she cut me off, stabbed me with her elbow and pushed me back,” Murdock said. “At the end of the race, we sprinted it out and since I’m a sprinter in track, I won. It was crazy to realize that people are actually that competitive. It taught to me to expect all possible outcomes.”
Even though it looks as if cross-country is an individual competition, it is actually a team sport, and requires team effort from both the best and the average.
“I’m a team member, and I feel responsible to do my part and get as many points possible in my own individual performance to contribute to my team,” Murdock said.
