by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Timmie Murphy is becoming a star for the UNM track and field team, even if she doesn't want to admit it.
The distance runner has been on a roll lately, performing at an elite level. At last weekend's Modrall Sperling Lobo Invitational, Murphy blazed to a third-place finish in the 3,000-meter run at a meet that contained some of the nation's best runners.
During the 2005 cross country season, the Lobos' top runner, Jacquelyne Gallegos, went down with an injury. That's when Murphy stepped up to help carry the team for the rest of the season.
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At the Mountain West Conference Championships, Murphy finished a career-best third place, leading the women's cross country team to a historic second-place finish. No other women's team has finished that high at conference in UNM history. Her third-place finish was the highest a UNM female runner has placed at a conference meet since 1992.
Murphy said the MWC race is her favorite moment of her running career up to this point, mainly because of how well the team ran as a whole.
"We all really ran some of the best races of our collegiate career, which was amazing for us to all come together on that day," she said.
Head coach Matt Henry said Murphy is a modest person. That's probably why she's more likely to give credit to her teammates and coaches before taking any for herself.
"She's not going to brag about herself," Henry said. "I'll guarantee you that. She really is somebody special."
Murphy said she is excited about the runners she has around her and is happy to be a part of one of the most successful teams in UNM history.
"I had no idea until a couple of years ago that we even had that potential," she said. "It's been awesome. We have a really talented team."
Specifically, Murphy said she is thrilled to be a part of the homegrown legacy that Henry has built. Of the 21 women on the 2005 cross country roster, 18 are from New Mexico, including Murphy, who graduated from Farmington High School.
"That is really special. I love that about our team, that we're all from here. It's something to be proud of," she said.
Henry said he can't wait to see how much further Murphy will come in her remaining days of competition at UNM.
"I'm really, really proud of our New Mexico kids. She wasn't a great high school athlete, but to see what she's done (at UNM) is very special," Henry said.
Murphy is in her final year of eligibility for the indoor track and field season. However, she still has a season left in both cross country and outdoor track and field. She will redshirt the 2006 outdoor season and save her eligibility for the 2007 season.
Henry said he's stoked about Murphy's final year running as a Lobo and is proud of what kind of person, as well as athlete, she has become.
"I admire Timmie and what she's done for the University of New Mexico," Henry said.
