Record-setting javelin-thrower? Check. Starting point guard? You bet. Forward AND defender for her two soccer teams? There can be no doubt. But if we’re being honest, all this physical activity can make a girl tired. For Our Lady of Malibu fifth-grader Erin Muldoon, summer’s arrival is a welcome respite from starring in four sports and keeping a sterling record in the classroom.
“It’s time to relax and not worry about anything,” Muldoon said. “You get to go to the beach and splash around and have fun with your friends.”
Muldoon, 11, competed in soccer, basketball, track and softball this past academic year. She was a forward and fullback for her AYSO soccer team as well as on her U12 All-Star team. During the winter, Muldoon played point guard for OLM’s “B” basketball team (fifth and sixth grades). In the spring she played softball for the Gamblers and ran track for OLM.
The talented young girl currently owns four OLM school track records. Muldoon set the girls “B” 800 meter record with a time of 2:50.45 while competing in the Catholic Youth Organization finals at Serra High School on May 1. With more than 70 schools sending their best athletes to the event, Muldoon finished in seventh place.
“It’s kind of shocking and exciting because it’s a record. I’m competitive and I want to do my best. And I don’t want to lose,” Muldoon explained. “I was nervous and scared at first but all the girls there helped me out.”
In addition to her record-breaking run in the 800, Muldoon took eighth place in the girls’ javelin finals after setting a “B” school-record throw of 63 feet during the CYO prelims.
A year ago as a fourth-grader, she competed at the “B” level against fifth and sixth graders, setting two girls “novice” school-records at OLM in the 400 meters (1:16.41) and 800 meters (2:57.91). She reached the 2012 CYO finals in the 400 meters and semifinals in the 800 meters despite being a year younger than everyone else.
“Erin is incredible. I think pound-for-pound she may be one of the finest athletes that this school has ever produced. She always gives 100 percent and she is always prepared and focused,” said OLM coach John Meyers. “I think she will be fantastic in the future. She has been amazing in what she has been able to do.”
While her future is bright in track and field, Muldoon lists basketball as her favorite sport.
“You get to run, it’s fun and it is competitive. As the point guard, I get to help my teammates out and stuff,” Muldoon said. “You bring the ball down and pass to your friends. I want to help them get better.”
When her teammates begin to struggle on the court, Muldoon is the first to provide support and encouragement.
“I tell them that they are doing fine and to try your best. It doesn’t matter because it’s just for fun,” she said.
Her team-first mentality has been evident both on the basketball court and in the classroom. She lends a helping hand to her classmates when struggling with a subject issue. Little does she realize that she is making a positive difference in the lives of others.
“She is a team leader who always tries to get the ball to the other kids so they could score. Erin watches out for her teammates as well,” Meyers said. “She is very mature for her age. She is conscientious and always tries to do the right thing in athletics, academically and socially.”
Muldoon earned second-honors at Our Lady of Malibu after achieving a 3.78 GPA in the first semester. She also received several other accolades at OLM including the People of Faith award, the Malibu Optimist Club award and the Youth Appreciation award.
“I have known Erin for two years and I just see this quality all-around kid who excels in athletics and does great academically,” Our Lady of Malibu Principal Michael Smith said proudly. “She is just one of those all-star kids who do well in everything she goes about doing. She does it with humility, which is probably the best part.”
After working hard for 10 months in the classroom and in sports, Muldoon has earned a well-deserved rest and the chance to relish the summer with her family and friends.