Sanderson swimming
Sanderson senior Kaitlyn Burnette (left) and Spartans' swimming coach McKenna Miller pose for a photograph last week. Just a week earlier Burnette committed to swim at Campbell University.
Sanderson's Burnette bound
for Campbell University
For Sanderson senior Kaitlyn Burnette the transition from summer-time swimmer to college signee with Campbell University has been gradual.
Six years ago, she was a novice swimmer, enjoying the competition in a summer league.
At her coach's convincing, Burnette built on her potential, joining year-round events.
A few years later, she was shining at the North Carolina Senior Championships and besting the competition in the Cap-7 Conference.
All her hard work in the pool paid off two weeks ago as the Lady Spartan signed her letter of intention, joining the women's swim program at Campbell. In addition to a swimming scholarship, she also was awarded the Scott-Ellis Presidential Academic Scholarship.
"You know, it wasn't until high school that I thought 'You know, I might be able to do (swimming) in college,'" Burnette admitted Monday, moments after the Sanderson team photograph.
The senior conceded she didn't know much about the Camels' swim team before this year, but after a trip to the Buies Creek campus and meeting head coach Pascal Molinard, Burnette was convinced to jump onboard.
"At first I didn't know if I would like a small campus, but when I got down there, I realized it wasn't that small," she said. "I really liked it. Everything was conveniently located; it will make being a student there a lot easier."
Entering his sixth season as the Camels' coach, Molinard quickly won over his new recruit with his personality and energy.
"He was just really nice. He's the kind of person you want to do something for," she said. "Just a really good guy."
By the end of September, Burnette decided on the Camels, and committed to Campbell this month, during the early-signing period.
Sanderson swim coach McKenna Miller said Burnette and Campbell are a great fit.
"I am very excited for her, and it is a fantastic opportunity," the coach said. "I know she will have a wonderful time, and that she will do very well."
Burnette plans to study exercise science, specifically kinesiology at Campbell.
However, the senior said she doesn't know exactly what to expect in the pool.
An all-around solid swimmer — Burnette competes in most events except the breaststroke and distance freestyle — she doesn't know what she'll swim for Campbell just yet.
"Coach really hasn't told me where he needs me yet, but it's probably because I am pretty versatile," she said.
It's only a matter of time before Burnette finds her place, setting the pace for the Camels' swimmers.
