Freshman Genevieve “Vivie” Murphy is fresh off the soccer field and already breaking records for the Viking swim team. For 25 years, no one has come close to breaking the women’s 400-meter freestyle record, but on Nov. 11, Murphy made waves with a personal time of 2:13:89.
“I felt really excited,” Murphy said. “I did not expect this to happen, but my whole team was very supportive and happy for me.”
While Murphy had already qualified for State in swimming prior to this record, she has set her sights even higher.
“I want to try to make it to finals at State,” Murphy said.
Eventually, her goal in high school is to get a scholarship to either swim or play soccer at a Division 1 college.
“I want to find more success in the sports I do, and [to] keep getting better at them if I go D1 in swimming or soccer,” Murphy said.
Not only is Murphy a member of the Viking swim team, but she also competes in meets all over the South with her club swim team.
“I swam [a couple weeks ago], competing in Georgia, and with lots of Tennessee teams in Knoxville,” Murphy said.
Amanda Murphy, Vivie Murphy’s mom, has been investing in her daughter’s swim career for years.
“Initially, we put Vivie in swimming for water safety, but we also wanted to instill a love for the lifelong sport,” Amanda Murphy said. “Vivie enjoyed it so much that she joined a competitive team at age five and has been swimming ever since.”
No matter the challenge, Vivie Murphy pushes herself, not just in swimming, but in other sports and academics. Not only has she broken a school record in swimming, but also finished with an outstanding season in soccer winning All-Conference with her team. Additionally, she is starting to run track this spring to improve her soccer speed and mobility.
“Over the years, Vivie has pushed herself to achieve many goals in swimming, but I’m most proud of how she stays focused and positive with a humble heart,” Amanda Murphy said.
