Scituate wrestler David Murphy finds a way
In journalism or public speaking class, the professor opens with the five “Ws” and how they apply to ensure your “lead” incorporates the who, what, when, where, and why.
In David Murphy’s case — he could always add a sixth component to the mix — wrestling.
Murphy is a three-year senior captain on the Scituate wrestling team in the 150-pound division and just received notice he will be ranked No. 2 in this year’s South Sectional Finals behind Anthony Mann (Hanover), the two-time defending state champion at 145 before the weight class changes this season.
Murphy’s list of accomplishments for the Sailors are impressive. Murphy won the South Sectionals at 152 in 2023, placed second in the Div. 3 State Finals, and currently sits at 30-4 in his final spin on the mat. Murphy was recognized as a Patriot League All-Star the last two seasons and should claim the trifecta in nominations at season’s end as well.
But it is not the spotlight in the middle of the gym that has the tony town of Scituate buzzing. It is Murphy’s penchant for giving back and he lists it as his top achievement and motivator in life. Helping others is the true “why” in the lead paragraph of David Murphy’s path on and off the wrestling mat.
“One of the biggest lessons my parents instilled in me was when I was in elementary school. You can go into something and say you don’t like it but if you don’t give 100% then that’s not right. Going into life with that mentality, I’ve taken it to heart,” said Murphy. “I always try to give it my all because in the end whether it is school, life or wrestling — when you put in the work, see results, and improve — you enjoy it and you love it even more. My parents had a massive influence in that mentality and have always been there when things were tough.”
While growing up in Scituate may have its advantages, things didn’t always come easy for the four-year varsity wrestling champion, but he credits his parents being present and his first high school head coach, Kevin King. Murphy started late in the game of wrestling and when his freshman year ended 0-10 in matches during the pandemic season, it was time to go back to the drawing board.
“I consider myself someone internally driven. I’m kind of a perfectionist and I expect to do everything right. Obviously, I cannot do everything well,” said Murphy. “But I put my nose to the grindstone. Coach King should get a lot of the credit, the people in the room, great captains that year who helped me step up my game. It was a big jump year-to-year and one of the most important for me in my development in the sport and just learning from my mistakes.”
Murphy’s winless start to his career only provided more motivation to excel. Murphy is a rockstar in the classroom as a top three student with a 4.5 weighted GPA yet remains grounded even after Superintendent William Burkhead asked Murphy to kick off the school year with a speech to the Scituate school staff where he riveted the room with his poise and passion. Murphy left the venue on day one of his senior year to a standing ovation.
In January, Murphy won the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy speech contest for the state of Massachusetts that had over 3,000 applicants. Murphy will be the sole representative for the state on March 2 in Washington, D.C. for the national award trip.
For the state winners, the champions parade will be followed by a four-day tour of the nation’s capital while the judges from the VFW pour over the 53 recordings of speeches sent in for this prestigious honor to be named National Champion.
“It’s a personality thing — David just strives for greatness in the classroom or the mat. Second place does not work for him,” said firstyear Scituate head coach, Sean Petrosino. “He has so much drive and it is impressive to see. We had grade checks during the season and kids struggle, some do well. David is not only our best wrestler, but also a straight-A student and when I announced his grades to everyone, he just smiled during the explosion of applause and congratulations and just started to work.”
“It’s intrinsic motivation. He doesn’t need external motivation. We spoke of values, and he was the one to say first that everyone should be in a shirt and tie for game day,” added Petrosino. “The way he speaks is very giving, picks up a teammate and sets the tone for the program — students first. Really sets the tone for what this program is and with David, you don’t just get by with Cs and Bs — he sets the standard higher. It’s what we expect, and he does all the right things.
Scituate principal Mark Loranger, who may know a few tricks of the trade with reversals, holds, and takedowns, did not hesitate when asked about Murphy’s overall impact for the school.
“David Murphy is a special student athlete. He is currently taking six advanced placement courses and what separates David is his desire to succeed,” said Loranger, who retired as head coach of Plymouth South after 27 years in the program and is a member of the Massachusetts High School Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “As a wrestler, he is very difficult to score on, which is an important ingredient when competing at the state level. David is one of the finest student athletes to ever walk the halls of Scituate High School.”
Murphy mentions wrestling as the most humble sport because whenever you win, you win big. When you lose, you can take it personally. Murphy’s love for the sport encourages his sense of personal responsibility and helps him hold himself accountable.
“When you are one-onone — you can’t be on anything else except for yourself. I must hold myself to my own mistakes — in school as a student, as well as in wrestling — especially when you are doing the work but don’t want to and dreading the tasks to make yourself great,” said Murphy, who has been granted early acceptance to Notre Dame, but still considering several strong opportunities.
“Wrestling helps build me as a person and student athlete and I think in those aspects of my life they compliment each other very well.”
He might as well have been the student and the professor as he weaved through the speech titled, “What is Your Why” for Burkhead and his staff. Right before the standing ovation to start his final year in Scituate, Murphy ended with the perfect quote to summarize what he has been doing to make the world a better place.
“Because I want to be in a place where my actions can impact the most people possible. So, what motivates me? My capacity to give back because in the end it is not the opportunity that matters — it is what I make of it,” said Murphy.