Cypress Park High School, founded in 2016, has so many athletes competing in their respective sports, that only a few will set records forcing the next generation to work tirelessly to break what has been set as the standard. Sydnee Burr is one of those athletes. She’s Cypress Park’s first to go to state in track and field and a school multiple record holder.
“I hold four individual school records at Cypress Park,” said Burr. “The 100-meter dash with a time of 12.04, the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.05, the long jump record with a jump of 20-feet-9 and the triple jump record with a jump of 42-feet-6.5. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to have competed at my high school. I’ll forever be in their record books, not only at Cypress Park but CFISD too.”
“Sydney is an elite athlete,” said Cypress Park’s girls track head coach Latoya Muse. “I saw this when she came in her freshman year. She put in a lot of work inside and outside of our program and that work ethic is what set her apart from other jumpers I’ve coached in the past. This strong work ethic is what I’m continuously working to get her teammates to aspire to.”
Burr is no stranger to breaking records and setting standards. While attending Thornton Middle School in the 7th grade, she won the district in the 100-meter, 200-meter and triple jump. Her jump of 33-feet-10 became the new middle school record.
“I didn’t start running track until 7th grade. I was a competitive cheerleader at Prodigy All-Stars since I was four years old. After having success at Thornton Middle School, I thought to myself, ‘I have something special,’” said Burr.
Burr maintained her dominance in athletics throughout her high school years. As a freshman, she advanced to the area meet in the triple jump, long jump and 200-meter dash. In her sophomore year, she qualified for regionals in the same events. During her 11th grade campaign, she reached the state level for the first time in the long jump, securing 5th place with a jump of 18-feet-9.25 inches.
This year, her senior season, Burr competed in both the triple jump and long jump at the state meet for the first time in her high school career, bringing home silver medals in both events.
“It felt good to get out and win. I jumped 19-feet-11.50 in the long jump and 42-feet-2 in the triple jump at state,” said Burr.
Burr has a unique stance as she readies her approach and runs to the takeoff board. While most other jumpers prefer to stand tall and get a stretch in before their run, Burr gets lower in her stance.
“I get lower versus going high to replicate getting out the blocks,” said Burr. “I’m also a sprinter, so getting lower allows me to push out and gain more speed instead of standing straight up. It’s something I naturally started doing. There isn’t a specific way someone has to start running down the runway, but this feels the most comfortable for me.”
Sydnee Burr
IG: @s.ydleeann
Twitter: @burr_sydnee
Events: 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, triple jump
Height & weight: 5-feet-9, 135 pounds
Athletes she studies: Tara Davis-Woodhall (Olympian)
Status: Committed to Ohio State University
Favorite artist: Lil Baby
Favorite subject: English
Shout-outs: Coach Frank, Coach Kenny, My mom
Burr’s personal best her senior year was 20-feet-9 in the long jump and 42-feet-9 in the triple jump. Next season she will be attending The Ohio State University and majoring in business management.
“Ohio State University was a great fit because the sprint coach and jump coach who also serves as director of track and field are both Ohio State alums,” said Burr. “I went into this journey interested in who was interested in me and they saw my value above all the other P5 schools I visited. They saw my potential early and the connection I’ve built with them is strong. These coaches are people I can turn to with any issue, in and outside of track. Through text, calls, Coach Diego showing up to my meets, and congratulating me along the way made me feel supported. Originally, I had no connection to Ohio whatsoever. But now I plan on being a Buckeye for life.”
This summer Burr plans to compete in the Nike outdoor and attend U20 in Eugene, Oregon for both the long jump and triple jump.
When looking back to inspire the next group of jumpers, Burr recalls the advice given to her by her mom, Tara McFaddin.
“Always be humble and never give up,” said Burr.
