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BROADER HORIZONS

Murman found balance by being a multi-sport athlete

Messenger photo by Eric Pratt 2018 Florence Nordman Award winner Beth Murman with her parents, Bruce and Dee. The Nordman Award is given annually to the top female senior athlete at Fort Dodge Senior High.

Tennis has always been Beth Murman’s first love.

Thanks to a steadfast commitment to volleyball and basketball, though, the 2018 Fort Dodge Senior High Florence Nordman Award winner was able to keep the right balance of passion and perspective for the sport she will now play at the collegiate level.

Rather than specializing in an area that produced three state championships and two other tournament medals, Murman continued to don a volleyball uniform every fall and lace up her basketball shoes in the winter. Some may say it kept her from reaching a higher level of achievement on the tennis court.

Murman would beg to differ.

”I think taking a physical and mental break (from your primary sport) can definitely be a good thing for a lot of different reasons,” said Murman, who was honored as FDSH’s top senior female athlete from the Class of 2018. ”You learn different points of view from different teammates and coaches. You gain confidence from being in pressure situations and competing in real game activity (rather than offseason workouts and training). And it also helps avoid both potential injury and burnout issues, which can come into play (through specialization).

”Of course I’ve thought to myself at times, ‘what if I had just done tennis?’ And as a competitor, you want to look back and feel like you reached your full potential. But it’s definitely just a ‘what if’ — not a regret. Not only am I glad I (participated in three different sports), but it helped me become the person I am today. I suppose I could technically be a better tennis player, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences, lessons and memories for anything.”

Murman’s most notable accomplishments happened in tennis, where she teamed with Jaci Cochrane to win a state doubles title in 2016 and joined Jonny Bowser as a co-ed doubles champion in both ’16 and ’17. This past spring, Murman took four of five matches at individual state and placed fifth. She medaled as a freshman with Emily Knight as well.

Volleyball and basketball were far from afterthoughts for Murman, however. She was a first team all-CIML Iowa Conference volleyball selection, and an honorable mention hoops pick. Murman lettered in both sports all four years.

The tennis community embraced Murman, the way it has with so many others during a decade-plus run of high-level state achievement. The Winona State University recruit called it a ”supportive and unconditional bond. I will forever be grateful.”

”They share a passion and love for the game, through both the way they taught it and how I should make the most of my (individual talent),” said Murman, who graduated with a 3.8 grade point average. ”I was influenced by so many people — from my family all the way through people like Todd Redenius, Stu Cochrane, Martha Mericle, Gloria Harrell and Ryan Flaherty. Even (head softball) Coach (Andi) Adams, who has given me great advice and direction about life in general.

”I was very lucky to grow up around so many special teachers and supporters. And they were there to pick me up on my bad days. It wasn’t only about believing in me when things were going well.”

Being a Dodger has been a responsibility Murman did not take lightly — or for granted.

”I remember getting my first letter as a freshman after (the) volleyball (season),” said Murman, the daughter of Bruce and Dee Murman. ”I got home and was just freaking out. It was so awesome. That kind of made me feel like I was capable and that I belonged.

”Growing up around it with my brother (Brian, also a state doubles champ) and the rest of my family — I just couldn’t imagine it any other way. I know a lot of people probably feel this way about their school, but Dodgers truly have something really special that we share together.”

Murman’s role as a community leader expanded during her senior year, both naturally from a maturity standpoint and because of a conscious choice she made.

”I started to really think beyond what I was trying to accomplish for myself,” Murman said. ”So many people look up to high school athletes or follow what they’re doing. I wanted to not only share my passion and love for sports (with younger teammates and fans), but be a good, positive role model (in everyday life) as well.

”That’s a good way to hold yourself accountable — a reminder that people are watching and you have a reputation to think about as a leader.”

Murman recognized her deep and richly-talented class, which includes Div. I athletes Taylor Hartley (University of Iowa, swimming) and Liza Van Zyl (Drake University, soccer) and all-conference standouts Bre Tjebben (Iowa Central, softball) and Shareece Smith (Iowa Lakes, basketball) — among many others.

”(The Nordman Award) is such an honor, obviously,” said Murman, who was also involved in Dodger Senate, National Honor Society, National Council on Youth Leadership, A’Cappella, Little Dodger and Circle of Friends. ”Not just because of the history behind it and the fact that my cousin, Lexi (Astor) won it (in 2014), but there are so many teammates and classmates who were deserving as well.

”I worked hard and gave everything I had (to athletics), but we have a lot of people at our school that have done (the same). We’ve supported each other and wanted to see each other succeed.”

As for her advice and the legacy she is leaving, Murman emphasized ”balancing passion with fun.”

”Do what you love and don’t compromise,” Murman said. ”Put the time in and set goals for yourself, but make sure it’s time well spent.

”Of course (sports) are about winning; I’m as competitive as anyone. But you’re going to lose, too. It’s as much about how you react to (the adversity) and what you learn from it as it is about (experiencing success). And you have to enjoy the journey. I don’t really feel like this is the end … just one chapter that leads into the next. And in that next chapter, I can take everything I learned from all of my sports — not just tennis — to grow as a player and as a person.”

TIMEOUT WITH BETH MURMAN

Vacation destination: anywhere with a beach.

People I would like to have dinner with: my grandma Carol, all of my supporters, and Serena Williams.

It would surprise people that I: can be goofy.

My sports role model: Serena Williams.

My everyday role model: my parents.

I can’t go a day without: drinking a glass of milk.

Nickname: Boo-Boo, Bethy, Beamer.

Superstition: listening to the same song before a game or match; wearing white socks for volleyball and basketball.

Most heated rivalry: Ames or Mason City.

Favorite road trip: trips to and from state tennis.

What are you listening to right now? country.

Favorites…

Team: Fort Dodge Dodgers.

Class: Circle of Friends.

Show: Grey’s Anatomy.

Book: The Champion’s Mind.

Phone App: Instagram or Snapchat.

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