PREPS: A Q&A with Poway high jumper Tynan Murray

By SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | Monday, May 26, 2008 2:12 PM PDT ∞

Poway's Tynan Murray cleared 7 feet, 1 inch in the high jump earlier this year, the top mark in the state this year. Photo by Waldo Nilo - Staff photographer.

Tynan Murray has had quite a high school career. He's accomplished a lot in sports as diverse as football, diving and track. Murray led the Titans football team to a section title and an undefeated record, but his finest work came this spring in track when he cleared 7 feet, 1 inch in the high jump, the best leap in the state this year. Murray appreciates this year's success more than most after surviving a health scare that some don't make it through. Last week, Murray took some time to reflect on his storied, eventful high school career:

Q: You're a CIF San Diego Section champion in the high jump and played quarterback on a undefeated football team that won a Division I section championship. Could this year have gone much better?

A: A state title in the high jump would be a perfect end to a great year, but we'll see how that goes. Regardless of what happens (this) week, my senior year has been awesome.

Q: Your freshman year wasn't quite as great, because you were diagnosed with a staph infection.

A: I apparently had it since the sixth grade. I started wrestling at that time, which is where I think I picked it up. It had kind of gone away through my eighth-grade year, but it sparked back up when I was a freshman. It got in my blood somehow, although the doctors aren't quite sure how it did. I ended up in the hospital with what my parents thought was the flu. They had no idea what was wrong with me for 36 hours. I was in the E.R. for almost a full day, and I guess my skin was turning yellow and I had ice bags under my armpits because I had a fever of 105.

Q: Then what happened?

A: I got quarantined, because nobody really knew how dangerous it was but the doctors. My mom and dad had to sleep in the room with me, and none of us could leave. They figured it out, but said that if I came in a day later, things could've been different.

Q: How does that experience change your perspective on life and all you've accomplished?

A: I feel so lucky. I would still feel that way even if it didn't happen, but the idea that my life might not have played out like this is incredibly humbling. After going through something like that, you realize what's truly important.

Q: When did you get back to normal?

A: I was in the hospital for a week and a half. I actually went out of the hospital on a Wednesday. A friend came over and I realized that I didn't want to be sitting around anymore, so I went out and played some hoops. I wasn't 100 percent then, but I probably was a week or so later.

Q: In track, you've always been in the elite class, but never a front-runner. That's not the case any more, especially after you cleared 7 feet. How has this year been different?

A: Everybody freaks out about clearing 7 feet. I've had people come up to me and ask, "Your best last year was 6-6, and now you're clearing 7-0. Where the (heck) did that come from?" I don't know. I think it's been improved technique, which has created a rush of people noticing me. It's been a lot of fun. I can say that for sure.

Q: Did you ever think that you might go to school for track, of all things?

A: No way. I was planning on going to Mesa College or some community college where I could high jump and play football. Now Cal Poly and UCLA are showing interest. It's been an unexpected turn of events.

Q: Any cool vacations to speak of?

A: We went to Missouri one year, because my uncle (Mike Martz) was coaching the Rams at the time. We stayed at his house and went to their mini camp and got a tour of the facility. It was awesome.

Q: Hold on. Your uncle is Mike Martz?

A: Yes. He has a house in Clairemont, and during the offseason we have barbecues there pretty often.

Q: Have you ever been to any Rams games?

A: We went to the Super Bowl in Louisiana. We drove, meaning that we were stuck in a car for two straight days. It was quite the experience.

Q: In football, many expected the Titans to win and win often. Did that add pressure to what you were trying to accomplish?

A: I don't think so. Not to be cocky or anything, but we knew we were going to be good and we wanted to dominate. I was on the phone with one of my linemen the night before our first game, and I said, "We're not going to lose to anybody this year and we're going to win it all." All he said in response was, "Sounds like a plan to me." It ended up playing out exactly how we thought.

Q: You replaced an immensely popular quarterback in Donnie McKillop. What was that experience like?

A: It wasn't a big deal. I knew I had some big shoes to fill, but I didn't think too much about it. I was set on playing my own way. I wasn't trying to be like Donnie or anyone else.

Q: How did last fall's wildfires affect the team, especially with it coming in the middle of the season?

A: Everybody really rallied together and worked through it. While we were all focused on evacuations, we were also (upset) that we weren't going to play La Costa Canyon that week. I think everybody felt that way at the same time they were trying to help guys like Ryan (Deehan), who lost his home.

Q: You won a football section title after getting beaten in the finals the year before. Did you enjoy it more because of that?

A: It was awesome. I would traditionally do backflips after a playoff win. After the championship, I did three. I just lay on the field after we won, soaking it all in. I may have shed a tear or two while I was there.

Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.