Liam Murphy, Allentown High School’s exceptional cross-country runner, set forth to claim All-America status at the 41st annual Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships on Dec. 14 at Morley Field in San Diego.
Murphy’s final goal of the season to be an All-America runner was not to when he placed 25th in the race with a time of 15:53.6. The senior needed to place in the Top 10 to gain All-America honors.
Despite coming up short at nationals, Murphy is proud of all his accomplishments this season.
Of course, this fall season was highlighted by Murphy’s winning effort at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Meet of Champions race. He was crowned the best boys’ runner in all of New Jersey on Nov, 23 at Holmdel Park.
This fall, Murphy also became a two-time Mercer County Tournament Champion and the Central Jersey, Group 3 state sectional champion.
He placed second at the Group 3 Championships, before winning his first career Meet of Champions state title. with a winning time of 15:23.
The senior finished in third place at the Foot Locker Cross Country Northeast Regional Championships on Nov. 30 at the historic Van Cortlandt Park in New York City to qualify to race for the second year in a row at the National Championship competition. He was clocked in 15:23.6 in the regional meet.
Murphy finished 33rd in the national race last year.
“It wasn’t the result that I hoped for, but it was nice to improve from last year,” Murphy said. “I definitely accomplished most of my goals this year. Definitely a year I will always remember.”
Before racing at the National Championships this past weekend, Murphy competed at the Nike Cross Nationals meet on Dec. 7 in Portland, Oregon, placing eighth in the race with a time of 15:12.
Murphy was happy to have the opportunity to race in both the Nike and Foot Lock championship races.
“It was amazing to run in both races,” Murphy said. “Not many people get the opportunity to do that. It was a great experience.”
Trading in his soccer cleats for running shoes just two years ago, Murphy couldn’t have imagined achieving the heights he has in the sport of cross-country.
The Villanova University commit said all his success the past two years couldn’t have been down without the people around him.
Starting on the trail, Murphy believes he couldn’t be in the runner he’s become if it wasn’t for Allentown coach Rick Smith giving him good workouts to train from and for his teammates training and supporting him during the team’s practices.
Off the trail, the support from his friends and family were crucial in Murphy striving to become the best runner he can be.
Murphy was very happy to have his family fly out to be with him when he competed at both the Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker National Championship races the past two weekends.
This fall was a season Murphy said he’ll always remember and he’s happy to have shared it will the amazing people that supported him throughout the last two years.
“The support I got from my friends, family, teammates and coaches all season was great,” Murphy said. “That’s something I will always remember when I look back on this year.”
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports
