Athens grad Burkhart signs to wrestle at Division 1 Lehigh University
By: Tim Birney | Valley Sports Report | November 17, 2017 | Photo courtesy Tim Birney
ATHENS — Athens senior A.J. Burkhart will continue his wrestling career next year at Lehigh University, fulfilling a long-time dream to wrestle in Division 1.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m glad to have the opportunity,” said Burkhart prior to signing his letter-of-intent Thursday afternoon in a brief ceremony in the high school library.
“I was at Lehigh for a camp at the beginning of the summer. I talked with the coaches, and I really liked them,” he noted. “I ended up there on an official visit near the end of the summer, and I just liked the atmosphere, and all the coaches. The athletes felt like family.
“And, the engineering program is great,” added Burkhart. “It’s the total package.”
Burkhart said he owes his mother, Dana Burkhart, a Division 1 athlete at Bucknell University in her own right, a great deal of thanks.
“I’ve been wrestling since I was 5, and my mom has taken me to tournaments every weekend, from here to California.
“I wouldn’t be here now without her,” said A.J. Burkhart.
Dana Burkhart beams with pride over the fact her son has achieved one of his lifelong dreams.
“I’m so excited and so proud,” she said.
“When he started (wrestling) at such a young age, I didn’t know if he was going to stick with it,” noted Dana Burkhart. “It’s such a sacrifice, and not just for him … all the miles, and hours, and dollars. We went to California, and Las Vegas when he was younger.
“A.J.’s goal since he was little was to wrestle at the Division 1 level, it’s always been a dream of his,” she added. “He’s always wanted to compete at the next level.”
Burkhart knows Lehigh University, which is held on par with Ivy League schools, will present a challenge.
“Lehigh is definitely a tough school, and it’s a great education,” he said. “It has what I want, which is civil engineering. It’s one of the best engineering schools in the country.”
Burkhart is hoping what he’s learned through wrestling will help him juggle academics and a Division 1 athletic career.
“Wrestling is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports — you have to be ready for anything.
“You need to be disciplined on the mat, but also in maintaining weight, working in practice, and conditioning outside of practice,” he said. “That discipline also helps when it comes to the classroom, and putting time into your homework.”
Burkhart’s trek to Lehigh has been an interesting one.
He won a state title at Waverly as a freshman, then suffered a knee injury days before a return trip to States during his sophomore season, and finished sixth.
Prior to his junior season, Burkhart moved to the Athens Area School District, and qualified for the PIAA Championships after a third-place finish at Regionals.
After winning his first match at States, Burkhart lost in the quarterfinals, then let a 5-2 lead slip away in the final minute of regulation before losing in overtime in the consolation bracket — one round shy of placing.
The loss at States has served as motivation for Burkhart as he heads into his senior season.
I should have been on the podium (last year),” he said. “I had a bad match in the blood round, gave up quite a few points late in the match to put it into overtime, then lost in overtime.
“That match has been on my mind ever since it happened,” said Burkhart. “I’m definitely going to be working hard to get back to Hershey and on to the podium this year.”
Burkhart noted he’s happy to have made his college choice.
“It takes the pressure off. I don’t have to worry about what college I’m going to now,” he said. “I can just focus on getting to where I need to be come March, that’s all I need to worry about now.”
Dana Burkhart is excited about her son’s future.
“Lehigh is such an amazing school academically,” she said. “Academically, they’re one of the top schools in the country, and their wrestling program is gaining steam and doing amazing things.
“Pat Santoro is one of the best technique coaches you can find,” noted Dana Burkhart. “They have welcomed him, and made him feel like part of the team already.
“As a parent, I have breathed a sigh of relief,” she added. “I’m not overlooking his senior year, he still has things he wants to accomplish, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter. The next four or five years is going to be exciting.”
Tim Birney is the founder / owner of River Road Media Group. He was born and raised in the Valley, graduating from Waverly High School in 1984.
Birney earned an Associate's Degree in Journalism from SUNY Morrisville in 1986 and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1988. He began his newspaper career at The Daily Review in Towanda in 1989, before moving on to The Evening Times in 1995. He spent more than 10 years at the Times, the last four as Managing Editor.
River Road Media Group includes five sites in "The Sports Reports" family that cover 24 school districts in five counties: Valley Sports Report (launched Aug. 10, 2009), Tioga County (NY) Sports Report (Aug. 13, 2018), and Northern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 31, 2020); Northern Tier West Sports Report (March 15, 2021) Southern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 16, 2021).
