Player Profile: Lucas Burkett – Punxsutawney

D9Sports.com and EYT Media are doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.

Lucas Burkett – Senior – Punxsutawney

Son of: Mark and Lori Burkett

Sports Played: Golf and Baseball

2015-16 Highlights: A key cog to Punxsutawney’s 13th straight District 9 Class AAA title team that made the second round of the PIAA tournament, Lucas hit .373 for the Chucks with 16 RBIs and 14 runs scored. He also saw a bit of time on the mound pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out three. His bases-loaded walk drove in the first run in Punxsutawney’s 3-2 win over Blackhawk in the PIAA first round. He also golfed for the Chucks.

Post High School Goals: Burkett plans on attending college after he graduates and would love to play baseball. He said colleges have contacted him about attending different camps.

Q&A With Lucas Burkett

D9Sports: Do you have a favorite sport, and if so why?
LB: Baseball. I have loved everything about it ever since I was a kid, whether watching it, talking about it or playing it.

D9: What is your best high-school related sports memory and why?
LB: My best memory is from baseball this past season when we beat Blackhawk (in the PIAA playoffs) the day after we were scheduled to play since it got rained out (the game was suspended in the first innings) and rescheduled.

D9: Has there been a coach and/or teacher who has influenced you the most in your high-school career to this point, and if so, why?
LB: I believe my biggest influence is my family because they are always there to support me and they always encourage me to do better.

D9: What do you like best about playing sports in high school?
LB: I love representing my school and wearing a Punxsutawney Chucks jersey and being apart of such a great program.

D9: What is the hardest part about playing sports in high school?
LB: You have to dedicate a lot of time to your sports, so it leaves less time for homework and studying. You also miss a lot of school for away games, so you always have to be on top of keeping up with all your school work.

D9: How much offseason work do you put into your sports?
LB: For golf, I usually golf a lot over the summer, so I am ready for the season in the fall. For baseball, I play throughout the summer and fall after our season ends. I have also started lifting in the offseason so I can be stronger and faster for the next season. I also attend a winter baseball clinic that keeps my arm in shape and gets me a lot of swings in the cage before we start officially practicing.

D9: What is your favorite subject in school?
LB: Probably math.

D9: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t playing sports?
LB: I like to go camping, hang out with my friends, play Xbox and swim.

D9: What are your goals for the upcoming school year both sports wise and academically?
LB :My academic goal is to graduate at the top of my class. My goal for golf is to have my score count for every match we play. My goals for baseball are to be a team captain, hit with more power and make a run in the state playoffs.