Boardman athletes to compete at collegiate level

By DAN HINER

dhiner@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Boardman senior Jackie Harker remembers her first gymnastics meet. She was 7 years old and competing at Kent State.

After the meet, Harker told her mother she wanted to attended the university in the future. More than a decade later it’s finally happened.

Harker signed with the Golden Flashes at Boardman High School on Monday to become the latest member of their gymnastics team. Boys golfer Cole Christman and volleyball standout Kaylin Burkey also signed letters of intent. Christman signed with Youngstown State while Burkey will head to California University of Pennsylvania.

Harker began her gymnastics career as a 4-year-old. Since Boardman doesn’t sponsor a team, she’s participated with the Youngstown Gymnastics Center.

She’s reached regionals in each of her first three years and will begin her final season on Dec. 3.

“I like being able to tell people that I’m a part of a unique sport,” Harker said. “It’s definitely cool being able to say that, but sometimes it’s kind of frustrating when people don’t pay attention to the sport as much.”

The Kent State coaches told Harker she could contribute early. She expects to compete in the balance beam and floor exercise.

Christman reached the Division I districts this past season after qualifying for state in each of his first three years.

He was a first-team All-American Conference selection in all four years at Boardman and was named the AAC Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons.

Christman is the latest Spartan to join YSU head coach Tony Joy’s roster.

Brian Terlesky and Bryan Kordupel began their freshman seasons with the Penguins in September. Both were in attendance for Christman’s signing.

“In some ways it’ll be like continuing from where I left off in high school because they left a year before me and I get to meet new guys, who I imagine will be just as great,” Christman said. “I imagine it’ll be a blast. We’ll be traveling, having fun, doing stuff. I can’t wait.”

Burkey recorded 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs during her high school career. She recorded her 1,000th kill in a win over Austintown Fitch on Sept. 5.

She earned first-team All-American Conference and first-team Division I district honors the last three years. She was named the District Player of the Year in 2017 and received All-Ohio honorable mention this season.

Burkey committed to California (Pa.) in April and is glad to finally have the contract signed. Since her commitment, she was worried a coaching change or other factors would force her to reopen her college search.

“It’s good to know that it’s official,” Burkey said. “At least for this year, it’s definitely locked in. I’m good to go.”

For Harker, the years of work have been rewarding.

“It’s definitely really rewarding because of all the time in the gym,” Harker said. “I spend 20 hours a week in the gym. I’ve spent 20 hours a week in the gym since I was 8 years old. It’s definitely really good to see it pay off.”