By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
SUPPZ.COM SWNEWS4U CO-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Bridee Burks
Lancaster graduate named Pat Richter Bug Tussel 3-sport Athlete of the Year
Bridee Burks
Lancaster's Bridee Burks was a three-sport standout in cross country, girls basketball and track and field.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Swnews4u.com Athlete of the Week is a web-only feature that will publish each Thursday throughout the calendar year.

Bridee Burks, Lancaster cross country, girls basketball, track and field

Bridee Burks of Lancaster has been selected as the 2021–22 female recipient of the Pat Richter Award from WisSports.net as the Bug Tussel Three-Sport Athlete of the Year.

The Bug Tussel Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is an honor given on WisSports.net to the top senior boys and girls three-sport athletes in the state. Players are recognized each week on WSN, with the a boys and girls winner of the Pat Richter Award at the end of the season to the best three-sport athlete of the year.

The goal and mission of Bug Tussel is to level the playing field for rural residents despite where they may live. Whether you work from home, your office is downtown or you are manning the family farm, they believe residents should be connected without having to compromise speed, price, quality, service or the environment.

Burks competed in cross country, basketball, and track & field at Lancaster. As a senior, she advanced to the state meet in cross country and track & field, and the basketball team reached a regional final. 

In cross country, Burks helped lead Lancaster to a sixth-place finish in Division 3 at the 2021 WIAA State Cross Country Championships as a senior finishing 20th overall. Bridee helped lead the Flying Arrows to Division 3 state titles as a freshman and junior with individual finishes of sixth and seventh overall, respectively. 

In basketball, Burks led Lancaster to an 18–8 record with a Division 4 regional final appearance, falling to eventual state champion Mineral Point, 57–46, which finished the year 30–0. 

The 5’10” long and athletic guard was named first-team All-SWC and first-team Division 4 WBCA All-State as a senior, averaging 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per contest for coach Mark Uppena and the Flying Arrows. Burks was also a finalist for the Top Senior Defender by WisSports.net. 

In track & field, Burks helped lead the Flying Arrows to the Division 3 state title in the 4x200 meter relay, a third-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay, and a fifth-place finish in the 4x800 meter relay. 

When Burks was featured on WSN in September she said the best part of high school sports was finding a true group of friends.

“In every sport I have participated in, we all have the same motivations, and as I surrounded myself with people who have similar intentions I could lean on them for support and comfort. Which is a large part of why our teams are so successful,” Burks told WSN. 

Burks is signed to play NCAA Division I basketball at Idaho State University. 

To go along with the three school-sponsored sports, Bridee was also a standout in rodeo. She was a three-time national qualifier and three-time state champion in two events. 

To view our initial profile of Burks as part of our Bug Tussel Triple Threat Athlete of the Week series, click here.

Past winners of the award include Katie Hildebrandt of McFarland (2020–21), Lexi Donarski of Aquinas (2019–20), Tara Stauffacher of Beaver Dam (2018–19), Caitlin Link of Madison Edgewood (2017–18), Lexi Smith of Northland Pines (2016–17), Grace Mueller of Verona (2015–16), Megan Gustafson of South Shore (2014–15), Kennedy Blahnik of Algoma (2013-14), Jenna Orr of Rice Lake (2012-13), Kailee Kamps of Belmont (2011–12), Kendall Wienkes of Highland (2010–11), and Andie Varsho of Marshfield (2009–10).