By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman senior Rylee Murray received the outstanding wrestler award in the 2021 Centennial League girls wrestling tournament, probably the biggest highlight of her first season in the sport.
But even then Murray was in nearly constant pain from a condition that doctors still haven't been able to pinpoint more than a year later.
"I was very injured at that point and until I ended (the season) at sub-state, and then this year they still haven't figured it out,'' Murray said.
'"It's something with my muscles and ribs. I'm still taking all my medicine for pain and stuff and they're just trying to maintain it right now. I'm just going doctor to doctor trying to figure it out.''
Murray, who also plays softball for the Vikings, was left with a very important decision to make -- walk away or put up with the pain.
Murray chose to stay and fight.
"If I was younger I probably wouldn't because I don't think I would be able to make it two more years, but since it's my senior year I had to,'' she said. "My doctors told me, 'Not a good idea.' My parents told me, 'Not a good idea,' but they know me and they knew if I wanted to do it I was going to do it.''
Seaman senior 126-pounder Rylee Murray is congratulated by Viking coach Jordan Best after winning her Class 6A-5A regional wrestling title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman senior 126-pounder Rylee Murray (right) is coming off a Class 6A-5A regional championship and will take a 19-5 record into the state tournament Wednesday and Thursday in Park City. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Murray's persevance has paid off, with the Vikings' 126-pounder making it back to the Centennial League finals, finishing second, before winning a championship in the Class 6A-5A regional tournament to earn a spot in Wednesday and Thursday's state tournament at Hartman Arena in Park City.
Murray, 19-5 on the season, said she her condition has improved ... slightly ... this season.
"From the point I was at last year during this time, I feel better this year,'' Murray said. "It doesn't hurt me as bad playing softball, but like just walking or sitting for a long time hurts it pretty bad -- cleaning, just every day daily life things.''
Seaman girls wrestling coach Jordan Best said that Murray has never made a big deal about her pain.
"Rylee doesn't tell us when she is hurt,'' Best said. "I have to start looking at her face and tell. She's got different key indicators when I can tell she's starting to hurt but she will not say it.
"It's grit and she is the definition of it.''
As soon as she wraps up her wrestling career Murray will turn her attention to softball, with practice getting under way on Feb. 28.
"I catch and then I play outfield for softball,'' she said. "I've caught all my life and I'm actually going to college (North Central Missouri Community College) for softball next year and they're wanting me in the outfield, so I'll probably play more outfield than catching now.''
But before she gets to that point Murray wants to do her best to end things with a bang this week at state.
"My goal for myself it to always try my hardest and what happens happens,'' Murray said. "God's in control.''
