Cheboygan's Kenzie Burt thrilled to be joining Aquinas College women’s basketball program

CHEBOYGAN – Kenzie Burt had her options.

Of the three sports she thrived at in high school, she could’ve played any of them at the college level.

But all along, the Cheboygan High School standout went with the sport she’s always loved the most: Basketball.

Burt will get the opportunity to continue her playing career with the Aquinas College women’s basketball team this upcoming season.

“It did kind of take me a while to figure it out, but going through the science department at Aquinas, and that’s kind of what I want to go into, and I really like the coach there – basketball was my favorite sport,” said Burt, discussing her decision to join Aquinas. “I definitely enjoy basketball and soccer, they’re kind of equal to me, and volleyball’s kind of just my fun sport.”

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As much as she loves basketball, Burt stresses the academic side of things more than athletics.

When looking at Aquinas, she loved what the school had to offer. At Aquinas, she’ll major in biology.

The positive relationships she built with members of the Aquinas program – especially the coaches – also played a massive role in Burt deciding to join the Grand Rapids-located college.

“I sent my tapes to them, and they wanted to get a hold of me, and literally my first conversation I had with their assistant coach, Coach (Stephanie) Fisher – I loved the environment and everything,” Burt said. “I kept going back and I really liked the head coach (Brian Morris). The coaches, the academics. The Grand Rapids area, it’s really out of my box, and I’m excited to start something different, but the school itself is its own little environment.”

Burt joining Aquinas comes following a solid basketball career at Cheboygan, where she earned All-Straits Area Conference and All-Area honors in multiple seasons.

Cheboygan head coach Walter Hanson believes Burt will have a strong college career.

“Her ceiling is extremely high and playing against better competition is only going to bring the best out of her,” said Hanson. “She was a three-sport athlete throughout high school, but in college she will only have to focus on a single sport, which is going to allow her to focus on her basketball development. Kenzie is a unique athlete. She is strong, fast, and has a tremendous amount of athletic ability. Her basketball IQ is off the charts, and she understands the game in a whole different dimension.

“(Aquinas) is very lucky and will be getting an amazing person and athlete. Their program will be getting a player who is extremely talented, understands the game, a good teammate, and one who gives her all-out effort on the court.”

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Burt is putting in the work before the start of basketball season. Recently, she spent time at Aquinas during what the Saints call their “Boot Camp Week” that preps them for the new campaign.

She’s also keeping busy at home as well.

“Every day I do a workout, track, court sprints, and I’m going to the gym, and I’m always trying to shoot and dribble when Coach (Walter) Hanson opens the gym to shoot,” Burt said.

Burt will always be thankful to those in Cheboygan who helped her reach the college level.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without anybody, like past coaches, Coach (Barry) Salter, and then Coach Hanson,” Burt said. “I’ll miss it. I’ll miss the closeness and comfort (in Cheboygan), but I’m definitely excited to start college ball. Everybody wants to be there, and everyone’s excited to learn and get better, too, and I think everyone deserves to be on the team, so it’ll be fun.”

During her successful three-sport career, Burt earned all-state honors multiple times in soccer, while also picking up all-conference and all-area accolades in volleyball.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan's Kenzie Burt thrilled to be joining Aquinas College women’s basketball program