Rocklin High Athletes of the Year Kent and Burdick shine in college sports

It was in May that Nathan Kent and Jessica Burdick were honored as the Rocklin High Athletes of the Year prior to their graduation. Now, five months later, the two are already showcasing their talents at the collegiate level with Kent at the United States Naval Academy in Maryland and Burdick at William Jessup University in Rocklin. Kent has played in three games for the Midshipmen and ran for a 70-yard touchdown in their 51-21 victory over the University of Tulsa on Oct. 8. The play was a reverse and Kent got multiple blocks down the sideline as he made his way into the end zone in front of a crowd of more than 30,000. "I'm very thankful for the opportunity to get out on the field and am thankful for the coaches and players who are still helping me every day," Kent said. "The people here at the academy, football players, company mates, and just the brigade are amazing and helpful. My goals are to just keep learning and growing. I have a lot of room to improve." Kent was one of the top players for the Rocklin High football team in 2021 as he totaled 725 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Thunder to a Sierra Foothill League title and a Sac-Joaquin Section championship game appearance. He earned the offensive Most Valuable Player award in the league and also received offers from seven other schools. His top performance came in the section semifinal game against St. Mary's where he had six receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-48 comeback win. Kent also competed on the track and field team where he won multiple events, including helping the men's 4x400-meter relay team to a section championship and fourth-place performance at the State Championships. Burdick is on the women's golf team at William Jessup University and has competed in two tournaments so far this season. On Oct. 12, Burdick won her first tournament, the TMU Danish Classic at Alisal Ranch Golf Club in Solvang. She finished with a two-day total of three-over-par 147 winning by two strokes. Burdick had four birdies in her final round, including two par fives. "My driver and irons off the tee were working really well throughout the tournament and so were my approach shots," Burdick said. "It is definitely exciting to have already won my first college golf tournament. It's still so surreal and I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness throughout this crazy game of golf. My goals for the season are to continue improving my game and shooting more under par rounds. If I have the opportunity to win more tournaments or become the conference champion, then that would be awesome." She also performed well in the first tournament earlier this season in Arizona, tying for fifth-place out of 47 golfers. Burdick earned All-League honors for the Thunder in 2021, finishing sixth in total points, and shot a 77 at the Masters Tournament, finishing second on the team. Burdick also played three years of varsity basketball where she, along with other seniors Kennis Jasperson and Keke Scott, led the Thunder to an 11-13 record and a section playoff appearance. Prior to her freshman season at William Jessup University, Burdick played multiple First Tee golf tournaments placing Top 5 on five separate occasions, including two wins. "My short game has improved the most since my high school season and I'm starting to trust my putting and chipping more," Burdick said. "I'm learning to trust God with every shot and it has helped me relax and start playing better."