November 19, 2004

Track Signs Franklin Star

Lopers Add Talented Thrower

            Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head track and field coach Andy Meyer announced today that Franklin star Samantha Murphy has signed a letter of intent with the Lopers.

            Murphy will enter her senior season regarded as one of Nebraska’s best in the shot put and discus. 

            As a junior, she placed third in Class C in the discus and was fourth in the shot. A year earlier, Murphy was fifth at the state meet in the shot.

            “I see her making an immediate impact in the RMAC throwing events, as well as building on an

already established core group of upper class throwers, " Meyer said. “We’re very fortunate to be getting not only a fine athlete in Sam but also someone who really enjoys the sport and fits into the team environment we have established in our program.”

            The Lopers begin the season in just a few weeks with the Kearney Pre-Holiday Open on Friday, December 10^th.

            It will be the first of five home events for the team this season, which includes the RMAC Indoor Championships.

            The UNK women will have four returning All-Americans in seniors Lesley Crutcher, Kate Semin and Amber Tiefenthaler and junior Shauna Birchard.