Meg Murdock follows in her sister’s steps — literally and figuratively.
Running flows through the veins of the Murdock family. Annie Murdock, Kate Murdock, and Meg Murdock all succeeded on the Highland Track Team.
Murdock started her running journey as a little girl doing 5Ks and short races with her family. From the start she loved it. The sport helped her release any stress by clearing her head and helping her focus on the present moment. Although she started early, she didn’t start competitively running until her freshman year.
“Both of my older sisters ran track and had loved it,” Murdock said, “so when it came time, I knew I wanted to try it too.”
From November to March, Murdock runs on an indoor track to get ready for the Highland track season. All of her hard work shows once the competition season begins. Since her freshman year she has competed in the 400 meters at state championships. Her freshman year she got 9th, and then improved from there, placing 3rd her sophomore year, and 4th last year, her junior year.
With her incredible accomplishments, college scouts were extremely excited to try and make her a part of their team. Murdock considered many different colleges, finally deciding on Idaho State.
“Idaho was actually one of my bottom choices when I first started to look at my options,” Murdock said.
Her decision to commit to Idaho was heavily influenced by the amazing experience she had while she visited the school. During one of the biggest indoor meets in the Midwest, held at Idaho State University, Murdock fell in love with the team, coaches, and facilities.
“It is definitely a really cool indoor track and place to be,” Murdock said.
Although she is doing incredibly well, she did not get to where she is today without challenges.
Doing a sport teaches people many things. For Murdock, it has taught her that failure is the key to success. Her freshman year she was one spot away from getting a state medal and was devastated. It made her want to quit. Murdock was able to push through the failure and realize that she can use failure as motivation to get better.
“I wanted to quit and just simply give up. Instead, I used it to work harder and to put in more effort,” Murdock said.
Although this experience was not positive it pushed her to be at the place she is today.
Failure wasn’t the only issue that she has had to work through. Murdock has been diagnosed with multiple auto immune diseases. These affect her joints, bones, and muscles. Many people that are in the situation Murdock is in would not be able to complete the incredible things she has done.
There have been many people that followed Murdock on her journey, but a few key people have made a big impact.
Murdock’s biggest inspiration is her older sister Annie. Annie ran track for Highland High School and was then recruited to run the 800 meters at the University of Utah.
“She is an incredible athlete and the kindest person,” Murdock said. “I look up to her and hope to be like her one day.”
Aside from blood-related family, Murdock has made another family.
Murdock’s friends on the Highland Track Team are her best friends. Seeing each other through the highs and lows on and off the track has built friendships that will last long past high school. Along with being good friends they also push her running skills so she can reach her full potential. Murdock and her teammates have spent countless hours together creating lifelong memories. From bus rides to ice baths, and weight room vlogs they have created an unbreakable bond.
“I am also so excited to get to see where life takes each one of them and the incredible things they are going to accomplish,” Murdock said.
Murdock has her own dreams she hopes to accomplish. Her plan is to continue her work with athletics not only through running, but through a major in exercise science and a minor in cosmetology. With these degrees she wants to become an athletic trainer for a collegiate program.
Murdock’s experience and success with the Highland track team are going to follow her throughout her life and lead her to extraordinary things.
“I am so sad to leave but so excited to make one more year of the best memories,” Murdock said.
