LIHU‘E — Island School’s Pierce Murphy advanced through his preliminary race at the USA Track & Field National Jr. Olympic Championships, taking third in his heat for the 1,500 Meter run in the Young Men division, Friday. Pierce will move
LIHU‘E — Island School’s Pierce Murphy advanced through his preliminary race at the USA Track & Field National Jr. Olympic Championships, taking third in his heat for the 1,500 Meter run in the Young Men division, Friday.
Pierce will move on to the final race, today in Sacramento, after posting a time of 4 minutes, 7.12 seconds in qualifying. That was the sixth-fastest time in the two heats, easily putting him inside the top 12 advancing to the final.
The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation multiple medal winner moved on to nationals after taking first place at the Hawai‘i Jr. Olympic Championship meet, held July 17 in Honolulu. His time of 4:07.55 made him the nation’s top seed.
Pierce has spent his summer training, including a week at the University of Oregon attending a running camp put on by the school’s track & field coaching staff.
His parents, Shawn and Doreen, said that Pierce is hoping to run a great race, like he did at this year’s HHSAA Championships, while representing Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i proudly by bringing home the gold medal.