This is the third in a series of four articles profiling the 2017 inductees into the Butler Area School District Hall of Fame

BALTIMORE, MD. — Born to run.

Gwen Murray certainly felt that way back in fifth grade.

“My elementary school held what they called a May Day track meet,” she recalled. “I beat all of the girls and some of the boys.

“I figured running was for me.”

Was it ever.

Murray, a 1977 Butler graduate, went on to become one of the greatest sprinters in Golden Tornado history. She will be inducted into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame during a 6 p.m. ceremony Friday in the high school cafeteria.

Longtime gymnastics coach Dave McKinnis, swimmer Josh Barthlow and golfer Jeff Diehl are the other inductees this year.

Murray is a flight attendant for American Airlines and lives in Baltimore, Md. She will be unable to attend Friday's ceremony. Her brother, Tim, will accept the induction on her behalf.

“It's about time,” former Butler track coach Jane Slamecka said of Murray's induction. “Gwen was one of the best ... great athlete, great kid.”

Murray was on one of Butler's first girls track teams and was the Tornado's first female athlete to make the PIAA Track and Field Championships. She won a state title in the 220-yard dash and was a two-time WPIAL champion in that event.

Her time of 24.8 seconds in the 220 is a school record.

“It always will be, since they use meters now,” Murray said, laughing.

“I ran the 100, too, but the 220 was always my best event. I was a terrible starter.”

But she was a strong finisher.

“Gwen would just fly around the turn,” Slamecka recalled. “Nobody could keep up with her. She flew by people.”

Murray wound up going to the University of Pittsburgh on a track and field scholarship. She became an All-American in the 400 meters.

She was All-Big East her sophomore, junior and senior seasons while majoring in speech and communications. She also ran the 800 at Pitt and graduated in 1981.

“Winning the state title my senior year was my fondest high school memory,” Murray said. “In college, I was a member of the United States national team that went to France my junior year to compete in an event involving about eight countries.

“That was a fabulous experience. We were there 10 or 12 days and I was a member of the winning 4x200 relay.”

Serving as a flight attendant for the past 30 years, Murray has not been involved in track since her collegiate days.

“There was never time,” she said. “But this Hall of Fame honor is a great accomplishment. It came totally out of nowhere and I really appreciate it.

“I live in Baltimore, but I'm proud to come from Butler.”

Slamecka said Murray went to the state track meet during all four years of her high school career.

“I remember us driving out there with (athletic director) Ed Hepe. Those were such good times,” Slamecka said. “Gwen went on to compete in the Olympic Trials. She was a quiet kid who didn't say a whole lot.

“But as an athlete and a person, and coming from a great family, she was truly, truly special.”