The Gardner News put out a poll to let readers have a say in the decision of our Girls Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. After collecting votes from Gardner area high school sports fans and combining staff votes, the winner has been chosen.
Players earned a spot on the poll through coach or staff nominations, highlighting their contributions throughout the season. The winner was determined through both the results of the readers' poll and TGN staff votes. Based on the combined methods, here is the Girls Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year top three.
TGN Girls Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
With 61.18% in the fan poll and top scores from staff voting, this year's winner is Murdock'sAvery Murphy -- for the second year in a row.
Murphy is an outstanding runner for Murdock and has proven herself as one of the best in not only the regional, but also the state.
"She's probably the hardest working person I've ever met," said Jennifer Murphy -- Murdock athletic director, cross country and track coach, and Avery's mom.
The senior finished second in the 1,000 meters at the Div. 5 state championship with a time that also beat her own previous school record in the event. She was one of only three Gardner-area athletes to compete at the Meet of Champions where she placed 16th in the 1,000.
She senior also qualified for the National Championship.
Murphy is a leader for not only the cross country and track teams, but within the school as a whole. Her talent and hard work have inspired other athletes at Murdock to strive to be better.
"Being able to coach her the last two years has been amazing, she's basically a student-athlete-coach," track and field coach Kyle Duplease said. "The student body here at Murdock looks up to her in so many ways. I don't think she's realized this, but she's helped change the culture of our school."
Honorable mentions
Narragansett's Shayla Massicotte was second in both the poll and staff votes. The senior is a standout runner for the Warriors and had a successful season.
She earned ninth place at the Div. 5 state championship in the 2 mile this winter.
Ruby Heagy of Oakmont was third in the vote. The ...
