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Former Dodger standout Murman named NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year
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WINONA, Minn. -- Beth Murman has always received high praise for her abilities to maintain a strong balance between her responsibilities as both a student and an athlete at the collegiate level.
The Winona State University senior and Fort Dodge Senior High graduate was recently honored for just that, as Murman was recognized as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outstanding Senior of the Year in women's tennis.
Murman, who will graduate in May with a double major in Health Promotion and Physical Education/DAPE, has played the No. 1 singles position in the Warrior lineup all season long.
"I'm honored to receive this award," Murman said. "The past five years of my collegiate career has been one to remember and this definitely caps it off. Genuine hard work and accountability for yourself and others goes a long way.
"I have been surrounded by people who believe in me and support me through the good and bad days both on and off the tennis court. Without them, I would not be who I am today or have received this award. I truly appreciate those in my corner."
On the court, Murman has posted 81 combined wins in dual matches during her career, while earning first team all-NSIC honors in singles and second team status in doubles in 2022. Winona State made back-to-back conference tournament championship appearances behind her play.
"Being an athlete for Winona State has given me memories of a lifetime," she said. "The sport of tennis itself has shown me how important it is to put in mental reps just as much as physical, play for the person next to me, and never ever give up.
"Winona State Tennis is something special."
This season, Murman went 11-7 overall and 8-3 in conference singles, while going 12-6 in doubles, including a 9-2 mark in the league. The Warriors were 9-9 overall and fell to the University of Mary in the conference tournament.
Murman is a 2023 Myles Brand Award recipient, an NSIC all-academic team of excellence member, and has been on the Dean's List for seven semesters. She also serves as President of the Winona State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"I have created relationships with so many amazing teammates, coaches, athletic faculty, professors and classmates that has made my time at Winona one to remember," she said. "They have helped me become a better person, player and student."
The NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award is "presented to a NSIC women's tennis student-athlete who participates at their institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to their team and the University."
The honor was initiated in 2020-21 to recognize an "outstanding senior that exemplifies the attributes of the model NSIC student-athlete."
"I have known Beth as a Winona State University student-athlete over the last three years. During this time as her coach, I have been very impressed with many quality characteristics she possesses," said Winona State head tennis coach Tom Sanvik. "She is self-motivated and has a great work ethic that goes above and beyond her regular practices to become the best both on and off the court. She has been a person that always works hard, devotes extra time to a task/skill to get it right or become better and takes on extra responsibilities willingly.
"As a teammate, she has been our fighting spirit on the court and our biggest cheerleader when encouraging her teammates to keep going strong."
With the Dodgers, Murman was a Class 2A state doubles champion and two-time state co-ed champion. She also earned letters in volleyball and basketball to flank her tennis accolades at Fort Dodge Senior High.
Murman plans to seek employment in the Rochester, Minn. area as a teacher after graduation.