May Cuesta Athletes of the Month

Mike Murphy
Baseball

Cuesta College Athletics Department is proud to announce this month’s selections for the Cuesta Athlete of the Month. This distinct honor recognizes two Cuesta College Athletes each month during the school year who have performed to the highest standards in their sport. Our male selection for May is freshman Second Baseman Mike Murphy.

After a slow start, Second Baseman Mike Murphy moved his way into a starting position and into the top spot in the Cougars line-up to become the team’s catalyst. It took ten games for Murphy to wrest the starting spot away from his teammates, but since settling into the leadoff spot he has become an impact player. He has developed into the quintessential leadoff man for the Cougars with a team leading 31 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. Murphy is hitting .333 for the Cougars and has also hit for power with a pair of home runs and a team-high three triples. All of Murphy’s activity at the plate and on the base paths has wreaked havoc on opponents. Coach Bob Miller says, “He is a quiet leader with a strong work ethic and a consistent approach to the game.”

The Cougars are ranked #4 in the State and are in first place in the Western State Conference standings with a 15-7 record against the loop. The Cougars are 29-11-1 overall and expect to earn their eleventh straight trip to the playoffs.

Chelsie Johnston
Swimming

Our female selection for May is sophomore Swimmer Chelsie Johnston. Chelsie put on another dominant performance at the 2006 Western State Conference Swimming and Diving Championships. She led the Cougars to the 2006 WSC title and, for the second year in a row, she was the only member of the women’s team to win an individual swimming title. Chelsie defended her 2005 WSC 100 butterfly title (:59.79) by dropping her time below a minute for the first time in her career. She also finished second in the 50 butterfly (:27.72), despite scrapping almost half a second over her 2005 title winning time, and she was fifth in the 100 individual medley (1:04.71). Chelsie, who did not taper for the conference meet, also led off the Cougars title winning 200 free relay and will also compete in the 400 free and 200 medley relays at the State Meet. Chelsie earned All American honors in both butterfly events last year, but with three relays and the 100 IM, and a well timed taper, she could lead the Cougars back into the top ten at State for the first time since 2000.

The Cougars completed an undefeated regular season with an 8-0 overall record. The women also won the 2006 Western State Conference title and claimed the program’s 18th conference title in 28 years. The State Championships is the next event for the Cougars.