By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
There’s a reason Port Isabel’s Daniella Murchison has become one of the most consistent performers in Rio Grande Valley track & field.
It’s her ability to focus intently upon the competition at hand during each meet.
Murchison, a senior, will compete in the shot put and discus Friday at the UIL state meet in Austin. A two-time state champion in the shot put, she’s attempting to become the first Valley athlete to win a gold medal three straight years at state. Donna hurdler Vince Castillo has the same opportunity to make Valley history.
It is Murchison’s fourth trip to state.
“Daniella always knows what she needs to do and wants to do, and she goes out and does it,” Lady Tarpons coach Julie Breedlove said. “She tries to not let everybody else (in her event) get to her. She just goes out and tries to take care of what Daniella can take care of and control what Daniella can control, not necessarily worrying so much about what’s happening around her and what everybody else is doing.”
Murchison, who has signed to compete for SMU, was a repeat winner of the shot put in Class 3A last year with a throw of 44 feet. She’s now competing in Class 4A. The 4A girls discus is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, with the 4A girls shot put set for 4 p.m.
Murchison won the shot put at the Region IV-4A meet two weeks ago with a 45-11 1/4 and took second in the discus with a toss of 132-6 to qualify for state in both events again. This season, she has had record-setting throws in the shot put at the district, area and regional levels. She had a toss of 46-1 1/2 to set an all-time Valley best for current-era throwers of the 8 pound, 9 ounce shot put at the Meet of Champions in March.
“I just have to give it my all,” Murchison said of returning to state. “The only thing that is on my mind is winning again, and I’m really excited to have a chance to become the first girl (from the Valley) to win three gold medals in a row at state. I’m anxious to do that. My goal (in Austin) is just like last year, which is to win the shot put and medal in the discus.”
In addition to taking the gold in the shot put at state one year ago, she finished third in the discus (128-3).
“Yes, I definitely try to be focused,” Murchison said. “Every year, I set a goal for every meet. I had a goal of breaking the district record, and I did that. I had a goal of doing the same thing at the regional meet, and I did that. I always set a goal, and I always achieve them.
“(Winning the shot put again) would mean the world to me,” she added. “It would feel like a big weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, and it would mean an awesome end to my senior year. Right now I’m nervous, but when I get up there (at state), and it’s my time to throw, everything (else) goes away, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
It has been quite a rewarding experience for throwing coach Johnny Galvan, assistant coach Ruben Rocha and Breedlove to guide an athlete of Murchison’s caliber at Port Isabel.
Murchison is grateful for all of her coaches along with her family, and Breedlove said the feeling is mutual.
“It’s been really exciting for me to see that kind of success,” the Lady Tarpons coach said. “I’m really happy for Daniella and proud of her. She is a hard worker and just puts forth her best at all times.
“My expectation for her (at state) is for her to go out and do what she’s always done,” Breedlove added. “We want Daniella to go out there and enjoy herself. Winning the gold medal would just be icing on the cake. We know she’ll be in the moment and do her best.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.