'Murph' Recognized for Outstanding Athletic Achievement

She's known as "Murph" throughout the Chatham High School sports world, and people shouted out her nickname when she stepped on to the stage behind the high school Tuesday to receive her diploma. And recently, Caroline Murphy secured another achievement—her 12th varsity letter.

Murphy was awarded the letter at the recent girls' softball banquet. Twelve letters is the maximum one person can receive in their four years of high school.

It means that Murphy has been on varsity teams since she was a freshman. She has played for the CHS soccer, basketball and softball teams.

in her varsity basketball career with a free throw in the final minutes Chatham's final game of this season against Shabazz.

"An ocean of emotion," Murphy said after that game. "Not many people [score 1,000 points], and it's a big highlight in my career. I'm just so happy that I was able to do this in the last game against the No. 1 ranked team in the state. It's just a good feeling."

The high school's booster club will soon purchase a plaque for the school lobby that will feature members of the "100 percent club"—athletes who have received the maximum number of letters in varsity sport.

The overall list of people who have done this spans many years and is relatively short, according to booster club members, though an official list was unavailable. Athletic Director Harvey Cohen is currently in the process of researching other names to be added to the list.

Softball Head Coach Alexis Davies presented Murphy with her 12th and final letter at the banquet.