By:Brian Dessart
What makes a successful athlete? Is it physical ability, mental drive, or absolute will to win? For East Rockaway's James Murphy,
all three apply. This past Friday, June 8, Murphy placed fourth overall in New York State (Class C) at the New York Federation Track and Field State Championships, at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
Murphy, a first-year discus thrower at East Rockaway High School, earned fourth place with his personal-best throw of 129 feet, 8.5 inches, which was good enough to place him within the top six state champions during the final round of the discus competition.
The first round of the contest started with twelve competitors from various locations throughout New York State in Class C. After a round of three throws each, Murphy earned a spot in the finals with a throw of 123 feet, 6 inches. The top eight athletes were chosen to compete in the finals, where Murphy's final throw earned him a championship name.
Murphy, who is also the Nassau County Champion in Class C, has had success this past track season that has been on a constant rise -- achievements that would make any coach proud. Head coach Ed Faulkner knew all along what Murphy was capable of.
"From the start, he had excellent form. All he had to do was put the form together with speed and he would get a good throw-off. I was very proud of the way he handled the pressure of the state meet and the way he got off his best throw of the year. Many of the competitors didn't reach their best distances of the year. I still feel he is capable of better throws in the future as he gains more experience," Faulkner said.
Murphy has football and basketball to look forward to before the next track season, but he still has his mind set on accomplishing an even bigger feat next season.
"With hard work, I might have a chance to place better next year," Murphy said.
Also competing at the state championships were Richard Cardus and Ksenia Ferrand. The competition in the triple jump was tough, and even though she did not place not place high enough to win a medal, Ferrand set a new school record with her jump distance of 32 feet, 7 inches, a record previously held since 1992 by Joanne Calamari.
With sports at East Rockaway High School coming to a close for the 2000-2001 school year, the school has a lot to be proud of. The integrity, determination and desire that these athletes have shown has been tremendous.
When Athletic Director Dominic Vulpis came to East Rockaway six years ago, he had a vision of improving the program and making it work for the athletes, giving them a chance to show who they were and what talents they had. Since the time he has taken the stand as A.D., he has built a program that is respected and has a high athletic participation rate, now at 60%, an incredible increase within the past couple of years.
"The outstanding growth in the program has a direct relationship to the wants and the desires of the parents and the community of East Rockaway," Vulpis said.
It's sometimes said that true athletes are very hard to find in small schools. As his performance shows, James Murphy has proven himself to be a true athlete at East Rockaway High School. With his senior year still to come, his best may be still to come.
[BEGIN ITAL] Brian Dessart is a freelance journalist for The Herald.
