Irvine’s Murray Proves His Point

Mike Murray of UC Irvine had the Big West’s best time in the 800 meters through much of the season, but he didn’t take anything for granted in the conference meet Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

“Anyone can run a good time during the season, but I wanted to prove that I could do it when it really counted,” Murray said.

Murray, a sophomore from Santa Margarita High, didn’t match his top time of the season, but still turned in a strong performance to win the 800, edging Artie Breault of North Texas. Murray’s time was 1 minute 51.06 seconds. His season-best is 1:50.64.

Murray’s effort was the highlight for the Anteaters on a day when Utah State won the men’s and women’s championships. It was the seventh consecutive title for the Aggie women.

Despite Murray’s victory, Irvine finished last among the nine teams in the men’s competition. Long Beach State was sixth and Fullerton seventh. In the women’s competition, Long Beach State was fourth, Irvine 10th and Fullerton last in the 11-team field.

Fullerton freshman Brandon Campbell, who won the long jump a day earlier, took third in the high jump Saturday. Campbell cleared 6 feet 9 3/4 along with two Utah State athletes, but Mike Cosgrove took the top spot and Lance Thurston was second, based on fewer misses. All three failed at 7 feet.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all,” Campbell said. “I came real close to 7-foot on my second attempt, but I hit the bar on the way down.” Campbell had cleared 7- 1/4 earlier this season.

The Titans also took fourth and fifth in the high jump. Dominick Sturz and Paul Ruvolo cleared 6-8, but Sturz had fewer misses.

Fullerton’s Quincy Sims was second in the triple jump with a leap of 47-9 3/4. Amukela Gwebu of Idaho won the event, soaring 49-6 1/2. Sims hadn’t competed since March because of a hamstring injury.

The Titans’ Kevin Howard, expected to be a contender in both of the sprint events, finished sixth in the 100 meters and seventh in the 200. “I wasn’t happy at all, but I know I was set back by missing training time this year with a hamstring injury,” he said. “It took its toll.”

Irvine Coach Vince O’Boyle was particularly pleased with Murray’s effort.

“This was a major breakthrough year for him,” O’Boyle said. “As a sophomore, this is a huge accomplishment for him. He didn’t have a good conference meet last year, but he’s stepped it up all year.”

Murray ran the 1,500 meters in last year’s conference meet at Boise State, but concentrated on the 800 this time.

“I was really disappointed in my conference meet last year,” Murray said. “I didn’t finish in the top 10, and I wanted to learn from that this year.”

Murray dropped off the pace early but was strong at the finish.

“I was very nervous going into the race, but I stayed with my plan, and it worked,” Murray said. “I didn’t want to lead in the first lap, but as soon as I heard the bell, I put in a surge. I took the lead on the last turn, but I could still see the shadow of the North Texas runner on me. Once I saw the finish line, I could taste the victory.”

Long Beach State’s Marion Reneau was named female athlete of the meet. She won the women’s heptathlon and long jump and ran the anchor leg on the winning on the winning 1,600 relay team. Boise State’s Corey Nelson, who won the 200 and 400, was named the top male athlete.