Published: May 18, 2008 12:06 pm            

Double-Up

Lady Demons’ senior hurdler fulfills track dream

DUNCAN — Madeline Murrell was built to hurdle. At 5-10, she has the frame to hit three steps in between jumps and clear each hurdle with ease. And, with a Hall of Fame track coach for a grandfather, Murrell was trained to be a state champion.

Under the tutelage of Buddy Murrell, who coached as many as eight state champion hurdlers, Madeline spent spring breaks on trips to Cherokee, where her grandfather helped her perfect the technique that produced a sweep of the 100 and 300-meter hurdles at this season’s Class 5A state track meet.

“Ever since I was old enough to run my pawpaw told me he was going to make me a hurdler,” she said. “He was definitely the biggest influence on me. Two-a-days with him in Cherokee were grueling and I would run until I was sick.”

Murrell won the 100 at 14.97, but it was her 46.56 mark and win in the 300 that she was most proud of.

“To win the 300 was just icing on the cake because that’s an endurance race,” Murrell said. “Form in that event doesn't matter as much, you run until you cry. That’s what makes it worth it for me.”

Though the win was fulfilling for Murrell, there were high expectations for the senior athlete. Murrell dominated the hurdles all season, often beating the pack by two or three seconds.

“I knew it wouldn’t be like that at state and that I had a target on my back heading in,” Murrell said. “I wanted to win for myself, my team and my family, so there was pressure. I’d been nervous about that day for four years.”

Last year’s 100 resulted with a disqualification for jumping the gun, and a broken ankle made for an altered training regimen that shortened her endurance work for the 300. As a result, Murrell took third in the 300 last season.

Murrell describes herself as an unlucky person by nature, but admitted that everything fell into place at state.

“Luck kind of just came my way this year,” she said. “The girl that led the state last year tore her ACL and my main competition in the 300 jumped the gun. This year was kind of a culmination of all four years. Good things come to those who work hard and it worked out for me.”

One of five finalists for Duncan High School’s Crossman Award, Murrell’s sharp mind earned her a spot on the basketball Academic All-State team. Though she would love to further both in college, she said it would take the right track offer to keep her hurdling at the next level.

“OBU (Oklahoma Baptist University) and Emporia State have offered, but that’s a long way to go just to hurdle,” Murrell said. “A long way from the people I love and the places I know.”

Murrell added that she plans to attend Oklahoma University in the fall.

        

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