BADGERING
COURTNEY BURKE
In her second year on the blue line for the Wisconsin women's hockey
team, sophomore Courtney Burke has excelled for the No. 2 Badgers.
The Albany, N.Y., native leads the team in assists with 14. A member of
the WCHA All-Rookie team a year ago, Burke has helped the Cardinal
and White shut down its opponents, with UW allowing an average of
one goal per game heading to the team's month-long break.
The Badgers are unbeaten in their past 14 games, and
are ranked No. 2 in the country. What has been the key
to the team's success this year?
"The team chemistry has been fantastic so far this season. We
get along great off the ice and it carries onto the ice. Our goalies
have been fantastic. Rigs (Alex Rigsby) has been great, and AnnRenee (Desbiens) has come in and played great. We are seeing
the ice very well."
Wisconsin's defense has been stout this year, allowing
an average of one goal a game and hasn't allowed more
than two goals in a game this year. What has the team
been doing well this year?
"I think everyone has been playing defense. It's just not the
defensemen. The forwards are giving us the support we need to
keep the other teams out of our zone. But also Alex and AnnRenee have played great every weekend, which is huge for us."
What is the biggest difference from your freshman year
to sophomore season?
"The biggest difference is knowing more about what to expect
every weekend, especially on the road. This year, I know what to
expect from every rink we go to. Freshman year, you go on road
trips and wouldn't know anything about the place and wouldn't
know what to expect with the rinks, but this year it is nice having that familiarity."
"My brother used to play and I would go to the rink with him, so
my parents always asked if I wanted to play. I decided I wanted
to try it when I was 6 and fell in love with it."
How did you get involved in hockey?
"I am lucky this year as I only have two finals. What I do is I study
in the Fetzer Academic Center and try to get a study room in the
Kohl Center."
How are you preparing for finals?
QUICK Q'S WITH COURTNEY
Hot chocolate
Favorite winter drink?
New York Yankees
Favorite pro sports team?
Sesame chicken
Favorite food?
Favorite TV show?
One Tree Hill
LaBahn Arena
Favorite place on campus?
32
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VARSITY December 12, 2013
