Burak sisters pave way for cross country success

HUNTLEY – Huntley senior cross country runners Breanna Burak and Brittney Burak answered questions about their running careers. The Burak sisters each qualified for the state Class 3A cross country meet last season.

HHS head cross country coach Matt Kaplan summed up Breanna and Brittney Burak’s seasons prior to the Oct. 15 Fox Valley Conference meet at Veterans Acres in Crystal Lake. They are the daughters of Dan and Sonia Burak.

“This season has been a lot of fun watching Breanna Burak and Brittney Burak compete,” Kaplan said. “They have been setting new personal bests at every course we have competed at while setting three-mile lifetime bests at the state meet course at Detweiller Park. Their efforts have led to our varsity girls team to some great team accomplishments this far including last week when they helped the team to a first place finish at the Peoria Invite (Oct. 1).”

The Buraks are also distance runners in track-and-field and plan to continue running in college. They are both National Honor Society members. The Buraks played other sports such as basketball and softball as youth but have been focused on track-and-field and cross country since freshman year.

Survey questions followed by Breanna Burak and Brittney Burak’s answers.

Describe how you got started in cross country and were you nervous for your first meet?

Breanna Burak: “I loved running the mile in gym class when I was in elementary school, so sometimes my sister and i would go to the track with our dad and he would time us in the mile. My first cross country meet was in the sixth grade and we ran at Marlowe Middle School. I remember being excited for a new experience and to take my love of running to another level.”

Brittney Burak: “I started cross country in the sixth grade because i enjoyed running the mile in gym class. My gym teacher also coached middle school cross country and he encouraged me to join. I really liked running and the competitive aspect of doing it as a sport. My first meet was down the road at Marlowe Middle School. I wasn’t nervous for it at all because I had never run in a meet before.”

Describe your preseason and weekly training plan for this season?

Breanna: “Summer training went very well. My sister Brittney and I went to a three-week running camp at altitude in Colorado. I learned about the physical and mental aspects about the sport while running on different terrain. I enjoyed running our summer routes with our team as well. Doing the stretching also helped me prepare and stay healthy for the season.”

Brittney: “I started training at the beginning of June and I gradually built up my mileage and strength training, I also went to Team USA running camp in Colorado for three weeks from late June to mid-July to get experience running at a high altitude and different terrain.”

What are your goals for the conference meet, post-season and state?

Breanna: “I want to be at least in the top three in the conference and I have goals to be regional champion, all sectional, all-state. Breaking 17:00 minutes is also a goal of mine.”

Brittney: “I really want the team to win the FVC, to have a solid start to the post-season. My goals for the post-season are to break 17:30 and I really want to push myself and medal at state.”

Recent HHS grads or family members who have helped you grow as a distance runner?

Breanna: “When I was a freshman, we had two seniors, Baily Wilk and Emily Glass, who really helped me out. They made my first year such a great experience and were great role models as far as being a hard working and focused athlete. My dad has also helped me grow as a distance runner. He spends a lot of time learning about the sport and helping me get the most of my ability.”

Brittney: “The seniors who were on the team when I was a freshman really helped me to adjust to high school running and high school in general. They definitely made me feel like an important part of the team.”

Biggest wins this season, where have you performed at your best?

Breanna: “The toughest course this season has been the McHenry County meet course at Emricson Park (Woodstock). I also won the Minooka Flight Invitational.”

Brittney: “My biggest accomplishment this season was a three-mile personal record at the Harvey Braus Invitational and it was also my first time breaking 18 minutes. I had a few good races prior to that but I was still shocked to see I took 33 seconds off my previous best time at a course that wasn’t Detweiller Park. The hardest course was probably Settlers Hill because there are so many inclines and hills but it is definitely one of my favorite courses.”

How do you assist the younger athletes in the program?

Breanna: “I am always a big advocate for being excited for a race and making it something to look forward to. Being a little nervous is OK and it shows you are eager to prove something to yourself.”

Brittney: “I help the new or younger athletes on the team prepare for their races by letting them know what they should bring to the meets. If I run in one of the first raced I always let the athletes know about the course and the best way to overcome the tougher parts. I always want to help my teammates feel confident and ready before each race.”