Burley Bokos
Hinsdale
When did you start swimming competitively?
I was on a team when I was 5.
How did you end up distance swimming?
Both of my parents swam at the University of Tampa, so we come from a very strong swimming background, and they were both distance swimmers. They were always willing to help me, and I always found it super-fascinating that not a lot of swimmers can swim distance races like I can.
How have you improved since your freshman year?
Sophomore and junior year I really started to focus on swimming. I made a decision that I wanted to swim in college, and I knew that I needed to post faster times to even be recruited.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or routines?
I have a pre-meet meal plan the whole week. On Mondays, I eat steak. Tuesdays, I eat tacos. Wednesday I eat pasta, and Thursday I eat salmon. Also before my meet I have to have my whole room clean, everything folded.
What is the best advice you've gotten from a coach?
Always push yourself to the highest limit, and practice makes permanent.
What do you most want to accomplish this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year is to win state in the 500(-yard freestyle). My dad's goal also has been to see my name on the record board. I actually have the record from the 500 from last year. I hope to break my own record this year. I only have the pool record - I want to get the Hinsdale Central record.
What are your plans for next year?
I'll make my decision after state, hopefully that week after. It's narrowed down to four schools right now - ASU, NC State, Tampa and Texas A&M.
Why does coach Bob Barber like having her on the team?
As a four-year varsity athlete, Burley is extremely versatile, representing the program in some of the hardest events on the high school level - and these are even too short for her. Swimming at state for us last year in the 200 IM, the 500 and the medley relay, she's a key component of our post-season success this year. One of the hardest if not the hardest worker in the pool, she has really high goals and her training shows we're getting close to achieving them.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
