"It was intense and fun to watch" Murphy"s bronze-medal run

Clayton Murphy After Winning 2016 Olympic Trials 800

C.J. Osborne, 11, was hunkered in front of a giant screen at the Tri-Village High School commons with about 30 of his best friends. Seemingly the entire village of residents was packed around them.

All yelled in unison then lapsed into a defending roar for most of one minute, 42.93 seconds Monday night.

Thats how long it took for favorite son and Tri-Village grad Clayton Murphy to etch his name and this wee village tucked in Darke County next to the Indiana border into Olympic track and field history.

It was intense and fun to watch him, gushed Osborne, after Murphy went from sixth to third over the final 200 meters to place third and capture a coveted bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games. I want to run track, now.

C.J. likely isnt the only inspired youth in this country after watching Murphy, 21, blaze to world-wide fame. The gangly kid with the infectious smile and cherub-like presence has the running heart of a champion.

Many of the towns residents who know him and his family, and just as many children who only know of him, rooted Murphy on. Among the vocal and partisan Patriots fans were his former Tri-Village track and field coach Scott Warren. The first-year varsity football program had its stadium added this past spring and summer around an all-surface running track that was put down when the school was upgraded in 2004.

Thats where Warren initially envisioned the potential of a skinny underclassman with a big heart. But the thought of Murphy representing the United States last year at the Pan Am Games (he won) and the World Games (12th) would have been a stretch.

He had a great work ethic, said Warren, up front with friends and neighbors during the race that was delayed by weather until about 9:45 p.m. local time. He was a big leader. You just knew he was special; we all knew he was special. This is absolutely amazing; just what we planned for. Its pretty amazing. I was really wishing for the gold, but thats a huge task. I was just hoping hed get in the medals.

Most of Murphys immediate family were at Rio to root him on.

Murphys July U.S. Olympic Trials win was yet another example of the high-caliber and gritty runner hes evolved into since graduating from Tri-Village in 2013. He squeaked out of the first round of the 800 at Rio to claim a non-automatic qualifying spot in the semis. Then he smoked a personal best 1:44.30 for the fourth fastest overall time in the semifinals.

He reset his personal best in the two-lap race yet again on Monday, following an even-pace script that has served him so well. Instead of blazing a first lap, he instead ran close to even lap splits and appeared to run down at least three runners after the final turn. Instead, they slowed and he maintained pace.

Tri-Village athletic director Brad Gray said the school will make contact with Murphy and organize a coming-home event. Murphy has several more international races remaining this season. He turned pro after the trials after running for three seasons at Akron University.

Were going to reach out to him and see what we can do; you can count on that, said Gray, also the schools ultra-successful girls basketball coach. Its unreal to have a kid from this community whos competing as a world-class athlete on the global stage. Thats what dreams are made of, right there.

Source: http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/sports/thats-what-dreams-are-made-of-right-there/nsGWM/