Evan Murdock is currently a junior at The MacDuffie School. When he isn’t writing headlines for The Magnet, junior Murdock is generating headlines of his own as one of the bright stars of MacDuffie cross country. He cleaned up at Fall Sports Awards, receiving the Most Valuable Player award and the Player’s Award.

Murdock first started doing cross country at age 12 and figured out that it was his favorite sport. He also played basketball and baseball, which he says he did not enjoy as much as he did running.

“I excel most at it and enjoy running more [than other sports],” Murdock said, adding that he “works the hardest at it.” Some pregame routines that Murdock partakes in are getting his mind ready for the race and making sure his focus is in the right place.                                                                                                                                                                    

One of his big accomplishments was a race at the CISAC championships where he finished in 2nd place with a time of 18:10. This was a major accomplishment for him because of both his personal time and his high ranking in a large field of competition. Murdock wants to run cross country in college, but says he is going to choose a college based on academics first. “I would not choose a school based on their cross country team,” said Murdock.                  

 The cumulative experience gained through years of running has paid off in a big way this season: Murdock’s endurance has increased and he has also become stronger.  “From August to November [stamina] increases a lot,” he said. That boost led to a year highlighted by remarkable performances.