Burke excells in her freshman track season at Millsaps

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Just a year after starring on her St. Aloysius High School track team, Natalie Burke adjusted quickly to the next level up at Millsaps.

On March 5, Burke would travel a short distance to the Mississippi College season-opener where she ran her first collegiate meet.

“I was very nervous going from competing in high school to college and traveling and staying in hotels but my coaches and teammates are great so that was a plus,” said Burke.

Burke’s first meet in the long jump (4.89) and the 100-meter dash(13.16) improved in the second meet a week later at the Hendrix Invitational. Burke placed first in the long jump (5.21m), second in the 200-meter dash (28.36), and second in the 100-meter dash(13.52).

“I was more prepared this time but you still never know who would be there because of the bigger school so I just had to be prepared for anything,” Burke said.

Natalie Burke running: Millsaps Athletics photo

A month later, Burke would make a name for herself as she set a school record in the triple jump (10.64) while placing fourth at the meet. She also placed in the top eight in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and the long jump.

“The whole thing was very crazy but I think being under that amount of pressure actually helped me perform better.”

Millsaps season ended in May. Over the summer Burke says she will focus on her summer workouts and preparing for the indoor track season that begins in December.