Pierce and the president

When Kauai’s Pierce Murphy thinks back on the day he met President Barack Obama, he has a few thoughts.

Yes, it was cool to be in the White House and shake hands with the president. It was inspirational to listen as he gave a talk to the 2012-2013 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s champions on the South Lawn. Felt wonderful to be part of such an elite group of athletes as they sat before their country’s leader.

Still, as he looked at the president, he couldn’t help but wonder something.

“I thought he was going to be taller,” said the 5-8 1/2 Murphy, chuckling. “I’m not sure why.”

President Obama’s height (6-1) notwithstanding, Murphy came away impressed by his graciousness and encouraging words to the athletes honored for being members of national championship teams.

Murphy, a 2011 Island School graduate and a state champion, runs at the University of Colorado. Its cross country team won the NCAA Cross Country Championship in November. The son of Shawn and Doreen Murphy on Kauai finished fourth for the team, 39th overall to earn All-American status.

All told, 19 teams, including Duke University’s men’s lacrosse, Indiana University’s men’s soccer, Stanford University’s women’s tennis and University of Minnesota’s women’s hockey, were honored in a ceremony at the White House March 10.

Murphy and teammates enjoyed White House tours, then met as a group with President Obama before heading to the lawn for the president’s speech.

“It was pretty cool,” Murphy said.

When the president walked into the room to meet with the Buffalo cross country team, even though they had been waiting an hour, it was a bit of shock to see him and said hello, Murphy said.

“You’re used to seeing him on TV, so it was weird seeing him in person,” Murphy said.

President Obama asked them about training at a higher altitude and whether that made it easier to race at sea level, the president also talked of playing basketball in Denver.

“Just small talk,” Murphy said.

Then, he went down the line of runners, asking names and shaking hands.

“Pierce Murphy,” Murphy said when it came his turn.

“Hello, Pierce Murphy,” Obama said.

A few minutes later, the president left and all the NCAA championship teams gathered on the White House’s South Lawn.

You’re doing great in your sport, keep up the hard work, go the extra mile were some of the words used by the president.

“I think that for all these outstanding athletes and sports, it’s important to acknowledge that your investment and time and effort and dedication is just as significant,” Obama said.

Obama also recognized teams’ academic and community service accomplishments.

“Now, no matter what sport you play, no matter where you come from, for the rest of your lives, every single one of you is going to be able to call yourselves a national champion,” Obama said.

Murphy considers the day a career highlight — ranking right up there with a national cross country championship and the All-American honors.

“It’s got to be the top one,” he said.

Asked if he voted for Obama in the last election, Murphy paused.

“I think I did,” he said, laughing. “I’m pretty sure.”

Murphy, who will return to Kauai this summer and run some local races, is majoring in film studies at the University of Colorado. These days, he’s gearing up for the track season, with a focus on the 5,000 and 10,000. His training has been going well and he’s expecting to be one of the nation’s top runners.

“We’ll see how I feel once I get a race in,” he said.

His parents, Shawn and Doreen, said having their son meet the president is a humbling experience.

“Pierce has always had big goals with his running, and awards like this along the way are great inspirational bonuses,” Shawn Murphy said. “We always told Pierce it doesn’t matter if you’re from a big city or a little island in the middle of the Pacific. You can reach any goal you put your mind, heart and soul to. The sky truly is the limit.”

• Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.