Track Star Kelly Burke to Attend Notre Dame Next Fall

All through grammar school, Kelly Burke never gave a thought to the pole vault, triple jump or anything else that had to do with track and field. She was into gymnastics and soccer, so when she got to high school, she thought track would be a great way to stay in shape for her other sports. Little did she know how quickly she'd find a love for a sport she barely knew.

Four years and several record-breaking performances later, Burke heads to Notre Dame after recently giving a verbal commitment to the Fighting Irish to join their vaunted track and field program.

"I feel really good about it, to have it all out of the way," said Burke.  "It was a difficult decision but I feel I definitely made the right one. They have a great business school, that's what I want to get into. They have a great track team, they won the Big East last year, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Talk about tough decisions. Two other prestigious schools, Duke University and the University of Virginia, also wanted Burke to join their ranks next fall. But after a visit to South Bend and a taste of the electric atmosphere of a big-time football game, the Cranford senior was sold on the idea of running around the Golden Dome.

"It was just overwhelming, the amount of school spirit," she said. "Some of the students were still on break, and even then, so many kids were at the football game."

"She had one of the best problems you could have, between Duke and Notre Dame. Both knocking on her door, waiting for her to say yes to either one," said head coach Peter Kane. "She wasn't holding out. She just wasn't sure where she wanted to go right away. And then when she visited, it was Notre Dame."

Even Kelly's Mom found the atmosphere around Notre Dame impressive.

"She really loved the school when she went there," said Kristina Burke. "They certainly do know how to put on a show. The football game was great. It was really a tough decision but that's really where she wanted to go."

When you look at Burke's accomplishments, you can see why she was so highly sought after.

Burke stands as the 2009 Group 2 pole vault champion and triple jump champion, the three-time sectional champion in the triple jump, the 2009 sectional champion in pole vault, and the Union County and school record-holder in pole vault (12') and triple jump (39'5). This all came about, says her coach, because of Burke's hard work and dedication as a student-athlete.

"She has very high expectations and works diligently to achieve them," said head coach Peter Kane. "She is never satisfied and pushes herself to do better both in the classroom and on the track.  It's very special for me to see her go on to the next level at such a prestigious school of Notre Dame because I was a first year head coach here when she was a freshman.  We've worked with each other for four years and she has done an outstanding job."

"Kelly Burke is a tremendous all-around athlete that found a home in track and field," said Cranford Athletic Director Marc Taglieri. "She trains year round, is extremely coachable and is a tremendous academic student.  She has set a high standard for future members of the Cranford High School Track program.  The Fighting Irish are truly fortunate to have Kelly coming next fall.  I am thrilled for her and her family."

Burke, who placed fifth in the Penn Relays the last two years, is also a national competitor indoors and outdoors in her two main events. Kane expects the Irish to be smiling right away.

"Right now, at Notre Dame, she'd be the top triple jumper with her marks from junior year," said Kane. She just has the ability that when she wants to do something, she wants to do better."

And while Burke has a winter and spring season still to go at Cranford High, she did recall her most memorable moment so far, which came just last year.

"When I won the group championships last year, that was just amazing," said Burke. "It was me against the previous state champion, Nicole Pompay. It came down to attempts and when I found out I had won, it was an overwhelming experience."

With Notre Dame on the horizon, it seems as if the lasting memories have only just begun.