Bourrage continues to break track barriers at KCHS
Apparently rock-and-roll legend Bruce Springsteen wasn’t the only one “Born To Run.” You can add Kemper County High School track standout Brynesha Bourrage to that list.
Bourrage, who last spring was a member of the MHSAA Class 2A Girls 4x200 State Championship Relay team, took the next step toward accomplishing her goals on Monday morning when she signed a letter-of-intent to run for Hinds Community College next year.
“Track wasn’t my first love, but God showed me that was the sport I was better in, so that is where I put all of my focus,” said Bourrage, who also noted she saw Hinds as the place that could best develop her natural talent. “I love the history the school has and the competitive runners they have there.”
KCHS track coach Keith Cole said that the best is definitely ahead for Bourrage.
“On the college level I can definitely see her getting better and eventually running in Nationals,” he said. “She has a natural given talent, but a lot of good training has helped take her to the next level so she can run collegiately.”
Bourrage runs a multiple of distances for her high school team, but will likely focus mostly on sprints and relays in college.
She ran the anchor leg for the KCHS relay teams. Being the last person to run on the four-person team is a spot Bourrage both cherishes and thrives in .
“She is the type that if you give her a lead she’s not going to lose it and if we are behind a little bit she can come back and walk them down and put us in first place,” Cole said.
When asked whether she would rather get the baton 10 yards behind or 10 yards ahead she didn’t hesitate to emphatically answer. “Behind,” she said. “I like running somebody down. I can read through their body language and I know when to kick it and when to relax.”
Bourrage, who has been running track at KCHS since the seventh grade, said it was three years ago when she began to dream of a college scholarship.
“The scholarship situation really got to me when I got to the 10th great and I began to see a dramatic change in my times,” she said.
“Anything she put her mind to, she can do,” Cole said. “And if you tell her she can’t do something she will try to prove you wrong.”
Bourrage is also something of a groundbreaker, becoming the first KCHS athlete in recorded history that has signed a track scholarship.
“Track scholarships are hard to come by,” Cole said.