Girls track & field: Princeton-bound Shea Burke leaving quite a legacy at Point Boro
In December 2019, during Shea Burke’s first week of high school track practice, Point Pleasant Borough coach Kyle Roos lined his freshmen up for some hurdles.
“He had all of us in the hallway because it was raining,” Burke recalled. “I went over like two hurdles and he said, ‘Yeah, you’re doing that event.’ And I was like, ‘No I’m not. He’s insane if he thinks I’m doing that.’”
Against her better judgment, Burke gave the “weird” event a chance.
“I kind of hated it for a long time,” she said. “But then I got more confidence and realized it was something that I loved.”
Fast forward three-plus years. Burke is the defending state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, she’s headed to Princeton University for track & field in the fall, and she’s inspired a cadre of teammates who make the Panthers a hotbed of hurdling.
She considers that last achievement to be her legacy.
“It’s good to know that when I leave in a few months it’s not going to die out – I have four amazing athletes behind me that are just going to carry on and maybe break some of my records,” Burke said. “I don’t care if my name is in the books for 20 years because I’m not going to remember it, but I think it’s about all of these athletes coming in, these hurdlers fulfilling their potential.”
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These are some deep thoughts. There’s more.
“Had I not done those hurdles on that rainy December day, I would not be going to Princeton – let’s be honest,” Burke said. “If I could open the door to someone and make their future a little brighter because of the stupid hurdles, that makes me feel good.”
The road to Princeton
Last spring Burke went unbeaten in the 100 hurdles, culminating in a gold-medal performance at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in 14.36 seconds – just a hair slower than the Ocean County record. That campaign, plus her sterling academics, caught the attention of every Ivy League track program. In the classroom Burke owns a 99.343 average across all subjects. She’s taken six advanced placement courses, including ones in macro economics, literature, psychology, and government.
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Ultimately Princeton snagged her commitment after, like the hurdles, it overcome her skepticism.
“I have what my parents call ‘imposter syndrome,’” Burke said. “I didn’t really think I was qualified to go Princeton academically or athletically, despite having the grades and the times to go there. I was worried I wouldn’t succeed there and would let people down. To wrap my head around that was pretty big. I try to not be too egotistical or think I’m better than anyone else, so that was a big concept to digest.”
As you may have guessed by now, Burke wants to major in psychology, a field introduced to her by Point Boro teacher and assistant coach Jennifer Kasyan.
“I like the aspect of why people act the way they do,” she said.
There will be plenty of time to research that concept. At the moment, there’s a swan song to complete with the Panthers.
Enjoying the ride
Burke’s senior year got off to a rough start. Plagued by hamstring pain that gave way to back pain, she finished ninth in the 55-meter hurdles at the indoor Meet of Champions. Given some time to rest and physical therapy, she’s feeling better now. In the season-opening Rebel Relays at Howell April 8, she anchored the winning 4x100 and shuttle hurdles, the latter breaking the program record with a 1:07 clocking.
“She’s the reason why our hurdles relay is the way it is,” Roos said. “She sparked the interest in hurdles on our team. We have girls coming out who want to be hurdlers because they know about Shea Burke.”
That’s the ultimate compliment. And it’s why Burke doesn’t have much in the way of goals this season. Yes, she’d like to break the 14-second barrier, which would put her in rarefied air. But first and foremost is soaking up the camaraderie she’s helped foster.
“It’s been an incredible last three years, so I’m just kind of enjoying it because when I get to college the level of intensity is going to be much higher, which is why I’m going there of course,” she said. “But I want to be on this joy ride first.”
This joy ride began with great reluctance in late 2019 – a lesson Burke tries to impart on her proteges.
“Anything is possible if you put the work in, but it starts with you,” she said. “You’re only as good as you want to be.”
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shea Burke of Point Boro girls track: Princeton recruit builds a legacy
