Murray races into record book

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Girard's Cachet Murray doesn't know if she's different, but she knows she's not normal. Everyone has already told her.
"Everyone says I'm weird," Murray said with a laugh. "I'm un-normal."
Or abnormal. Or special. Or brilliant. Or amazing. Or ...
Maybe there are no more words to describe her.
All anyone knows is that Murray exploded on the track scene as a freshman last year, winning the 100- and 200-meter state titles and setting a state record in the 200.
And just when you thought she couldn't top that, she did.
She got faster.
Murray defended both state titles Saturday, setting meet records in both events at the Division II meet at Welcome Stadium. She ran the 100 in 11.89 seconds and the 200 in 24.22.
Motivation
"This never gets old," she said. "I'm not going to tell you what my motivation was.
"OK, I'll tell you. My grandma [Amelia] said if I broke both my records, she'd buy me a cell phone.
"I'm going to get my cell phone today."
That wasn't her only motivation. It was also her last track meet with her friend, Liberty senior Jessica White.
"I was telling Jessica [before the 200], this is our last race together, she needs to run hard," Murray said. "She said, 'stop, you're going to make me cry.'"
White placed fourth while Murray ran into the record books. Many people supported Murray along her trip to success this year -- fans she's never seen before stop to congratulate her all the time.
"I just smile, wave and nod," she said. "That's the key to success."
Writer Jim Murray (no relation) once said, "There's nothing cerebral about a 100-yard dash. If God didn't take care of everything first, there's nothing you can do about it."
Murray doesn't believe that. She may have talent -- but she also works hard to use it.
"I don't think it comes easy to me," she said. "I just run. I don't think, I clear my mind and go."
Murray is also a basketball standout -- it's still her favorite sport -- but she knows her future may be in track.
"In the long run, I know it's what I'm gonna be best in," she said.
scalzo@vindy.com