Dexter’s Murphy Hansen Overcomes Obstacles to Succeed In and Out of Pool

For Dexter’s Murphy Hansen, her high school swim career has been a series of ups and downs and twists and turns. The Dreadnaught senior, however, wouldn’t have it any other way. For Hansen, this weekend’s Division 2 swim and dive state meet in Holland will be the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. 

A highly regarded swimmer her first season in the pool for Dexter, Hansen, who started swimming when she was 3, was the lone freshman qualifier on the Dreadnaughts’ state meet team that year. That first season, Hansen consistently swam four events for Dexter each meet.

During the summer after her freshmen year, circumstances unexpectedly changed for Hansen. 

“I suddenly became ill,” she said. “I was nauseous and in a lot of pain. I went to the doctor thinking nothing of it. Little did I know it would still be with me today. I was unable to swim my sophomore year and missed a lot of school because of the way I felt, which really affected my grades."

Hansen said she spent the entire year visiting doctors who prescribed her medication, none of which she said helped with her pain.

"It took a toll on my body and my very optimistic attitude. The relationships within my family were strained and we were all on edge before every doctor’s appointment hoping and praying something or someone could change what we were going through," Hansen said.

By her junior year, Hansen decided to try and get back into the pool. 

“I hoped to just be able to participate because I missed swimming so much,” she said. “I was able to swim and even make it to states on a relay, which was surprising, but extremely rewarding.” 

Despite her success in the water her junior season, Hansen still had no medical answer for her sickness that was continuing to ravage her body.

“After my (junior) swim season I had begun to slip into the hopeless, depressed girl I had been after the first anniversary of my chronic illness,” she said.  

Hansen said it was a moment in July this past summer that turned her life and her attitude around. 

“It had been two years since this (undiagnosed sickness) had all started,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘Why am I going to sit around and feel sorry for myself, wishing everything would change when I woke up the next morning. That hasn’t been doing me much good.’ Even though my parents had been so persistent on trying to pull me out of my slump, it took me to realize that I needed to change or else I was going to be on a long road to nowhere.”

Finding hope in small victories

With her newfound energy and enthusiasm, Hansen signed up for the Dexter Community Aquatics Club summer swim season.  

“I tried to make it to as many practices as I could,” she said. “I had to get back into shape for my senior year. Coming into this season I had one goal – to get my 50 freestyle state cut (time). Even though I was so close and was unable to achieve my No. 1 goal, this season has proven to be one of the best.” 

Though she was unable to record a state qualifying mark in the 50 freestyle, she did post a personal best clocking in the event with a time of 25.91 at last week’s Southeastern Conference White Division meet. The state cut time in the 50 freestyle is 25.89.  

“It was a personal best for me, so I couldn’t be upset about my time for too long,” Hansen said.  

With help from Hansen, Dexter captured its 14th consecutive SEC White Division championship last week. Though not swimming in the 50 freestyle, Hansen will compete in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay for the Dreadnaughts at this weekend’s two-day Division 2 state meet.  

“My individual goals would be to cut down some time on my splits, so I want to be around the 25.4 or 25.3 area,” she said. “Our team goals for the relays would be to make it back the second day (finals day), which means we must place top 16 (first day). I don’t think we will have an issue making it back in any of our relays, but we would like to have at least one place top eight making it an All-State relay. It’s going to be extremely close. I’m not worried because every one of our state team girls knows how to race and compete under pressure. Honestly, I do better when I’m nervous.” 

Hansen, who sports a 3.45 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society, said she plans on attending either the University of Mount Union in Ohio or Grand Valley State University next fall. If healthy, she said she would swim at the collegiate level. Until then, she will focus on her schoolwork.  

“I will be studying athletic training or exercise science and continue on to graduate school to become a physical therapist,” she said. “My dream job would be to work for the Green Bay Packers. I have been a Green Bay fan since I was a baby.” 

Hansen said her parents, Norm and Maryann, inspire her in and out of the pool. 

“They have taught me everything I know and I would never doubt them,” she said. “Unfortunately, I do not have any role models who have gone through what I have, but I hope to be one for others who are currently battling any kind of health problems. It’s one of the most difficult things to deal with because it affects every single part of your life.” 

'We are like a family'

Hansen said she enjoys swimming because she loves being an athlete, being competitive and being with her teammates. 

“Swimming is a great stress reliever,” she said. “I love all the girls I swim with. They have really helped me through some tough times. They are the ones I trust. We have all been swimming together for years. We are like family. Also, I love the adrenaline rush I get during and after a race. I get so nervous before all of my races, which in my case makes me swim better. That’s why I do well at big meets, where others might crack under the pressure.” 

Hansen said her most memorable moment so far as a Dexter swimmer came her freshmen season when she finished first in the 100 freestyle at the Dreadnaughts’ Freshmen/Sophomore Invitational, a meet that often attracts the top underclassmen from throughout the state. After touching the wall and figuring out she had placed first, Hansen said she looked over at Coach Cory Bergen. 

“He was jumping up and down,” she said. “He told me I proved who was stronger in that race. He handed me my medal and gave me a big hug before I got to stand on the podium to receive my first-place award. It was the best feeling to know I was No. 1. I began to realize how good I could really be.” 

Bergen said Hansen deserves all the praise she has received. 

“She is someone who sees the big picture and is always striving to do the right thing to the best of her ability,” he said. “Her competitiveness and consistency have been her trademarks throughout high school. In the face of health issues, she has never wavered in her commitment to the team. They have deprived her of much of the individual accomplishments she seemed destined for as a freshman, but she has remained an extremely valuable member of the team as a sprinter, relay member and captain."

Though she might not stand on the podium as an individual state champion this weekend, Hansen has nothing to prove to anyone. In the game of life, she has shown her true colors. Colors that have time and again proven her brighter and more impressive than any gold medal that could be draped around her neck.  

The Division 2 state meet is noon Friday and Saturday at the Holland Aquatics Center.