HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD: MURAKAMI GETTING USED TO THE NEW NORMAL.

Byline: KEVIN CONNELLY  Special to the Daily News

There are certain times Saugus High junior Shannon Murakami wishes she could act like a normal 16-year-old. But there's nothing normal about training to be a premier distance runner.

The confident, charismatic Murakami's social life becomes less "Laguna Beach" and more akin to "Saved by the Bell's" Screech when it's track or cross country season.

During a recent family vacation to Yosemite National Park, she trained outdoors despite wind and rain because she felt obligated to prepare for an upcoming meet.

Not that she minds. It's a sacrifice she's more than happy to make.

"Of course, I miss doing some of the normal things teenage girls do - running has defined me," said Murakami, the defending Div. I state champion in cross country and the area's top runner this season at 800 (2:10.03), 1,600(4:51.08), and 3,200 (10.37.9) meters.

"But I love it. Some people may not understand me, but I find it fun. I think it's wrong to look at running as punishment."

It's not all fun and games for the distance standout, whose competitive nature was on display after her second-place finish to Mexican standout Cristina Guevara Esteban in the 800at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut.

Murakami, who ran a state-leading 2:10.03 in the event, was visibly disappointed with herself after she was boxed in during the first 200 meters and fell too far behind Esteban (2:09.18) to outkick her in the final 100.

"When I think of the other top runners in the state, it just gives me an added incentive to work harder," said Murakami, a fourth-place finisher in the 3,200 at the state meet last June. "I know girls like (Mission College Prep of San Luis Obispo freshman) Jordan Hasay really train their butts off, so I don't want to be left behind."

Joy Murakami said the pressure her daughter faces can be significant.

"Shannon puts more pressure on herself than anybody else does," she said. "She has a lot of self-drive and discipline, but it does get a little overwhelming sometimes. It's a huge personal sacrifice to compete at such an elite level, and (our family) is there to help her organize her life a little."

Murakami acknowledges feeling nervous before races, but she insists she thrives off it. The pressure will be most prominent when she competes in the state meet June 2-3 at Cerritos College.

"There are always some butterflies in my stomach before races," she said. "But being nervous just proves you're ready to race. It's impossible to run at this level and not be a little nervous."

One of the benefits of her high profile is the attention she is receiving from track and field programs at Division I colleges. Murakami, a 3.5 student, wants her legacy to include more than just a great track and field resume.

"Academics are very important to me, too," said Murakami, who will run today in a dual meet against Canyon of Canyon Country. "I've decided I want to stay on the West Coast, but the history of the track and field programs out here aren't really what I'm looking at. I just want a place that fits with me.

"I'm confident that I can make my own name wherever I decide to run."

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Saugus High runner Shannon Murakami used a recent family vacation to train for an upcoming track meet.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

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