Sports

Whitefish Bay Senior Will Run With the Badgers

Emma-Lisa Murphy signs letter of intent to join UW's track and cross country teams.

Emma-Lisa Murphy, Whitefish Bay's top cross country runner, said she has always seen herself as a Wisconsin Badger, and now, she has confirmed she will run with the Division 1 cross country and track squads after graduation.

"I’ve just always seen myself as a Badger, staying in the state of Wisconsin," the senior said. "I really connected with the coach (UW's Jim Stintzi). I see a lot of my high school coach in him. He’ll really help me achieve the next level I’m looking for."

She signed her letter of intent to run with UW's track and cross country teams Wednesday.

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Murphy is following in the tradition of the girls top-ranking cross country runners. The team won state her freshman year, took second her sophomore year, placed ninth in 2010 and eighth in 2011. Individually, Murphy took seventh at state in 2009, third in 2010, and 12th this year.

She also had had success with the one-mile and two-mile events in track season, finishing fourth in sectionals last year.

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Murphy said she got into cross country in middle school, following in the footsteps of her older sister. She set her goals high, and through hard work and practice, became the team's top runner in her sophomore year. Now, she runs every day, once before school and again after school.

"I had a lot of good mentors ahead of me: Megan Palmer and Kenzie Vicker...I had goals to run with them, and once I got experience, I eventually got up with them," Murphy said.

Although most people think of cross country as an individual sport, Murphy credited her team's accomplishments and how important teamwork has been in her success. She said she was also motivated by coach Mike Miller, assistant coach Candace Costa and Geoffrey Farnsworth, the former middle school coach who passed away last year.

After meeting with the Badgers cross country and track teams, she said she already feels a connection with her new teammmates.

"I really see myself with them," she said.

Just as she did in Bay, Murphy is already setting her sights high for her first year with the Badgers.

"My goal is to gain experience my freshman year, to be on the top portion of the team and be a contributor to the team," she said.


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