MariKate Murphy, a 2018 Cornell College graduate, joined the Albion College cross country/track and field program as an assistant coach in January 2019.
In 2021, she led Megan McCulloch and Sam Bieth to All-MIAA performances, as well as a trip to Nationals for McCulloch
Murphy competed for Cornell College from fall 2014 to spring 2018. Starting as a 20:22 performer as a freshman, she finished her senior year with a personal record of 17:22. As a result of this improvement, she earned five Midwest Conference titles during her senior year at Cornell: cross-country, 3,000 meters (indoors), 5,000 meters (indoors), 3,000-meter steeplechase (outdoors), and 10,000 meters (outdoors). She earned All-Central Region honors in cross country, 5,000 meters (indoors), and 3,000-meter steeplechase (outdoors). Finally, she qualified for the 2017 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship (eventually placing 92nd) and the 2018 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship (placing 14th in the final of the 3,000-meter steeplechase). She was also recognized as an All-Academic individual by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and as Cornell’s Ellen Whale Senior Female Athlete. During her prolific senior year, she served as the co-captain of her cross country team. Her best memory of her time with the Cornell Rams was winning the Midwest Conference cross country championship as a team in 2015.
Murphy graduated magna cum laude from Cornell College with degrees in biochemistry/molecular biology and psychology. When she was not on the track, she served as a chemistry tutor and an Alternative Spring Break co-coordinator. She was honored as the Paul G. Brooks Senior Biochemistry Major and was nominated to Phi Beta Kappa during her senior year.
Murphy is an Indiana native. She graduated from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities in 2014, where she competed in cross country and track and field from fall 2012 to spring 2014. During this time, she helped the Lady Owls to earn team conference titles in cross country and track and field and to qualify as a team for the IHSAA New Haven Cross-Country Semi-State in 2013. She also earned Mid-Eastern Conference titles in the 3200m relay and the 3200m race. Before the Indiana Academy, Murphy began her athletic career by competing in swimming, cross country, and track and field at Clinton Central Jr./Sr. High School from winter 2010 to spring 2012.
