ONE MORE TIME
FD’s Murman all-NSIC again, but she isn’t done yet
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WINONA, Minn. -- By all accounts, Beth Murman had a very successful senior season for the Winona State University women's tennis program.
The 2018 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate posted a 14-6 overall record this spring, winning nine times in 11 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches and garnering first team all-league honors. The former Dodger state doubles and co-ed champion also made the academic all-NSIC list for the third consecutive year with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Murman is a fierce competitor, though. To her, even being excellent still isn't quite good enough. And losing most of her sophomore campaign to the global pandemic never did sit quite right.
Murman will play again for the Warriors in 2022-23, returning to the court for an NCAA-granted COVID campaign as she finishes up degrees in both physical education and health promotion.
"Changing my major right when COVID happened, I had to take another year to finish up school. Although that year was scary and unknown, I was given another opportunity to compete one last time (next year) playing the sport I love most (because of it)," said Murman, a former FDSH Nordman Award winner. "When COVID shut down my sophomore year season, I was really frustrated and confused because I had been competing at my highest level. The thing that I loved most (competing) was taken away from me without warning. I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and I am so fortunate to get another opportunity.
"I want to feel content with my success, but I know there is much more to prove to myself next season. I really want to go out with a bang."
Winona State, a Div. II program, took second both in the regular season and at the conference tournament this year. The Warriors were 16-5.
"As a team, we had a successful season," said Murman, who is also minoring in adaptive education. "Individually, I helped with the team's success greatly. We kept each other accountable on the court, in the weight room, and in the classroom. I felt much closer to my teammates, and we were eager to get better together.
"The culture of our team was exactly why we were as successful as we were. Every practice, every early-morning lift, or every match, I felt confident in my team's abilities -- and even better, their confidence in me. But just like anything, this was something we had to work on. With every obstacle and challenge we faced both on and off the court, my teammates were there. The relationships I have built being a Winona State athlete have been my favorite part."
As Murman grows and matures, she appreciates even more how much competing collegiately has helped her develop as a person.
"Although I am extremely proud of my hard work and the accomplishments and awards I have received and earned, I continue to learn that growing as an athlete is great -- but growing as a person is even greater," Murman said. "My character both on and off the court will be remembered much more than my forehand winners. Being a student athlete is not easy. There will be obstacles that will try and knock you down or break your character, but how you respond shows the true you.
"Control the controllable and the rest will follow."
Murman's time in Fort Dodge -- she was a two-time co-ed doubles state winner with Jonny Bowser, a state doubles champ with Jaci Cochrane and an individual state placewinner her senior year -- set the stage for the drive she would need to succeed at the next level.
"Growing up being considered the 'underdog' has given me a sense of grit and passion; a purpose," said Murman, who was also a basketball and volleyball starter for the Dodgers. "That has helped me get where I am today. It took hard work to obtain the things I have accomplished. When you know your 'why' or you know yourself, things become a lot more enjoyable and worthwhile.
"The relationships I built by growing up and competing in Fort Dodge have been the biggest influence. Being in a different state, I don't get the opportunity to come home as much or keep in contact with everyone. I say this quite often, but there are people always in my corner. Whether I talk with them every day or every other year, I know I have support. I am very thankful for that."