POWAY – Tynan Murray continues to make gravity his whipping boy.
As a high jumper on the Poway High track team, he has defied gravity while recording the state's best leap this year.
As a diver, he carves and manipulates gravity, using it to his advantage for a smooth entry into the pool.
As a quarterback on the football field, Murray throws passes that slice through the air.
He almost wasn't around for any of it. During his freshman year, Murray was hospitalized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, a bacterial infection known as MRSA.
“The doctors said if they had caught it a day later, I might not be around,” Murray said. “I'm so thankful that I have an opportunity to be here. I don't take anything for granted.”
Each victory, large or small, is sweet for Murray. Last week he qualified for the San Diego Section dive finals – a sport he didn't take up competitively until this year. He also set a meet record at the section track prelims, jumping 7 feet, 1 inch. He's poised to go after the section title Saturday and qualify for next week's state championships, where he's expected to medal and possibly win.
“He has so much athletic potential that hasn't even been tapped yet,” Poway track coach Phil Burian said. “He just started jumping as a sophomore as something to do. And in just two years of coaching (from jump coach Khalid Maxie) he's flourished.”
Murray – a 6-1, 170-pound senior – actually wanted to play volleyball his sophomore year. After being cut from the junior varsity team, Murray said he looked to track as a “fall back” sport. In three seasons, he has blossomed into one of the section's most versatile athletes.
“If he wanted to pole vault, he'd probably be our best pole vaulter,” Maxie said. “If he wanted to sprint, he'd be our best sprinter. He's that talented.”
Murray couldn't have scripted a better senior year. In the fall, he quarterbacked Poway to the school's first section football title. Now he's competing for a shot as the state's top high jumper. Accolades earned in diving were merely a bonus because he had no expectations.
“I love the competition and I love winning,” Murray said. “You always want that feeling and want to keep winning. Football can't help in track or dive, but you take that attitude with you.”
Murray talked while playing with his football championship ring. He said it only comes off during competition because jewelry is not allowed.
If anything might hold Murray back, it could be the torn meniscus in his left knee, which he hurt three months ago while practicing the triple jump. He has continued to compete with the injury – reaching 7 feet, 1/2 inch – the best jump in the state until last week's 7-1. He has gone above 7 feet three times this spring.
Maxie said Murray's technique has allowed him to succeed despite the damaged knee.
“I think his technique is better than most pros,” Maxie said. “A lot of it is natural. When he's actually in the air, I can't coach that – that back bend. So much of that is natural ability.”
Murray is weighing his options for next year. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has shown interest. Graceland University in Iowa is offering him a chance to play football and compete in track. He's waiting until after the state meet. If Murray wins, chances are Pac 10 schools will start calling.
Murray, a two-time Palomar League high-jump champ, said he expects to learn from last year's state experience in which he didn't make the opening height of 6-4.
“I know what it's all about this year,” Murray said. “All my friends and everyone on the jump squad is encouraging me and pushing me. They say, 'You're totally going to win state.' And I think to myself, 'That would be pretty sweet.'”
Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304;
kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com
