?Little Murray' forges a new path for her future

by Jessica Blake

SANDY — As her older brother and sister already created a path through high school, ‘little Murray’ became Caitlin Murray’s nickname. Caitlin, the youngest of three children, graduated from Juan Diego Catholic High School with a love of softball and basketball and an astounding 3.89 cumulative GPA.

Although Caitlin and her family have moved four times, they still seem to see themselves as steady members of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Caitlin’s brother, Brian Murray, is three years older, and her sister, Meaghan Murray, is six years older. After they both took on the challenge of being on the youth group council at Blessed Sacrament, Caitlin found an interest in the group too. "They’re really accepting. Blessed Sacrament is smaller and more family-oriented.

"John and Shelly Valdez (coordinators of youth ministry at Blessed Sacrament) are like my second parents," said Caitlin, after being part of the youth council for four years.

Sean Murray, Caitlin’s father, works as an engineer for Intermountain Healthcare. This job has taken Caitlin and her family from Billings, Mont., to Utah, Minnesota and back again to Utah.

Although Caitlin moved first at the age of 3, she does remember the second move during her seventh grade. "Seventh grade was a difficult time. I missed my friends, but I got really close to my family," said Caitlin. "We’re all pretty much glad we’re back."

Caitlin’s basketball career has been long. It started with Junior Jazz when she was 5 years old. The team at the time consisted only of boys, but Caitlin seemed to thrive on it. "I was kind of a tomboy," she said. "I got along with the boys better than the girls."

Sean Murray was the coach when Caitlin was in third grade. She claims it was all fun and games until she understood the rules in fourth grade. In ninth grade, at Juan Diego, Caitlin joined the Juan Diego Girls Basketball Team.

The team practiced with timed runs, sprints and shooting drills. "Freshman year was my favorite by far because we beat Judge Memorial (Catholic High School)," Caitlin said.

Caitlin joined the junior varsity team her sophomore year and the varsity team her junior year. Caitlin reminisced: "When I was a freshman the varsity team seemed so big, and I was so nervous my first game."

The varsity team has had a trend of overwhelming numbers of juniors versus seniors. Caitlin stuck with basketball and became a varsity captain with two other girls her senior year.

"You have a lot more pressure on you," she said. "The team had two-hour practices seven days a week. We switched coaches every year, too. There would be new tryouts and you would have to work for your spot again."

The hours spent training were worthwhile. Caitlin learned she had won two awards in basketball. Caitlin’s teammates nominated her for the Eagle Award, and she was one of two girls nominated for the Best Defensive Player Award. The most prestigious award was due to Caitlin’s impressive academic skills. She earned the Academic in Region Award. Only 10 people were thus recognized.

"I think basketball was worthwhile," said Caitlin. "I won’t remember all the games, but I’ll remember the girls."

Although Caitlin has talent in basketball, she says softball is "my favorite sport by far." Her brother and sister have played softball at Juan Diego, and Caitlin made her way as ‘little Murray.’

Caitlin played softball at 6 years old and started on a team at 12. She loved the game but found differences in attitude. "The girls are even closer because it’s more of a team sport."

Caitlin found, "it’s more fun to play more than one position." So she found her calling in the outfield and first base. In her senior year, she became captain of the softball team at Juan Diego with four other girls. By being approachable, she found the extra pressure was worth being captain.

High school not only held Caitlin’s interests in sports, it also opened up opportunities to help others.

"Unity" was the only word that came to mind when she was reminded of her vice-presidential position as a student body officer her senior year. Caitlin specifically wanted to make everyone in the school welcome and accepted, and she remembers community service projects.

Caitlin describes a project in which a fund raiser provided gifts for children in need during the Christmas season, "The Spirit of Christmas Project was my favorite, it’s cute to see all the little kids. They don’t get anything else."

The San Rafael Relief Project, a fund raiser for families of lost miners in Huntington, and the Soup Can Fund Raiser are some of the projects Caitlin remembers most.

"I enjoy making others happy," said Caitlin. "I wanted to be part of the school and make our senior year worthwhile."

Caitlin enjoyed classes in high school such as drama, T.V. production, concurrent enrollment economics, and government, but she found anatomy was the beginning of her calling.

"I loved science classes," said Caitlin. "Just with my personality, I like making people healthy."

 Her brother is studying law, and her sister is studying communications, both at the University of Utah. Caitlin has found her own path and will study nursing next year at Boise State University.