OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Despite falling in the state championship, Kearsarge sophomore goalkeeper Grady Burch put in impressive performances all season long to take his team to the state championship.
Before the state final against St. Thomas, Burch had only allowed seven goals through 19 games and earned 13 clean sheets. He went on a run toward the end of the regular season, including the first round of the playoffs, without allowing a goal.
Burch is still young, but his experience showed throughout the season. Notching key saves in the semifinal to keep his team in the game while down 1-0 to Hopkinton, his consistent play was crucial to the team.
He looked back on the season and his time playing soccer while reflecting on the biggest highlights of playing for the Cougars. Kearsarge is assured to have a solid presence with Burch under the posts for the next two years.
Q: Tell us about your earliest memory of playing a sport.
My earliest memory is playing soccer with my dad for Kearsarge United SC.
Q: What do you enjoy most about playing soccer?
I really enjoy being on a team. It’s fun to have a common goal, and also, this season it’s been very fun to win. I have not always been on winning teams, and it really felt like we accomplished something this year.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of being a goalkeeper?
I think if the keeper makes a mistake, the price is high (usually a goal scored against), so sometimes the high-pressure environment is challenging. It’s been a process of learning how not to be too hard on myself when I do make a mistake.
Q: What other sports have you played, and what’s your favorite?
I play basketball and in the past I have been a ski racer. I also played lacrosse. Soccer is by far my favorite sport.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of school and sports?
I know this is a sport, but I really enjoy playing golf. It’s a great way for me to be with my friends, and it’s sometimes relaxing for me.
Q: Who are some of your favorite athletes? Why?
I love Tim Howard, I have a signed pair of his gloves. He has overcome a lot and is one of the best US National team goalies to ever play.
Q: Who are some of your mentors, and how have they helped you?
I really look up to my Dad and Uncle Marc. My uncle played professionally and my dad knows a lot about soccer and trains with me a lot.
Q: As you look back on this soccer season, what were some of the highlights for you?
– Highlights from this season, my placekick save against Gilford at homecoming was huge for me. Kick save that comes up big.
– Beating Hopkinton to make it to the finals of the playoffs, some key saves at the end of the game.
– Just the overall feeling of winning our first game of the season, and starting off strong.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you learned this season?
The biggest lesson that I have learned is that no matter how hard you try or how badly you want something, you can’t win every game. My team and I really wanted the win in the finals, and we just came up short. We have to keep our heads up and put the work in for next season, and come back stronger.
Q: How can you and your team continue to improve and return to the State Championship?
I think we are excited about building our team chemistry. We had a super tight camaraderie, and it really came down to us having each other’s backs and supporting one another. This team is a team I will never forget.