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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Sports
"My goal is to be among the top eight in the world in my best events," he said recently. Well, that's understandable. I believe he can achieve that goal. The road ahead though, especially with his eligibility finished at the University of Kentucky, shapes up to be quite tough. The program offered him under university eligibility will still be there now, but at a cost to him. The regular therapy sessions, the re-habs, getting to and from the various competitions he will need to keep his edge and also for improvement, and the appropriate training routine will all have to be covered by Burrows now. The adjustment he will have to make from being one of the school's top swimmers and being catered at every turn, to having to see to his own needs, is a huge one. Burrows is prepared to soldier on, but admittedly he will need lots of assistance from within the Bahamian system. He is presently on the Government Subvention's list (albeit not in the top financial category). There is the Bahamas Olympic Association's scholarship program as well. He hopes to successful apply to the BOA in that regard. He has been talking also to Corporate Grand Bahama representatives. Burrows is one of the country's elite athletes with a lot of promise. He has been on the senior international circuit only four years now and has reached the point whereby a breakthrough is anticipated. He broke onto the senior scene regionally at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games. The 2007 Pan American Games and the World University Games followed in 2007; in 2008, he represented his country at the Beijing Olympics; and last year he competed in the World Championships. He is indeed seasoned and ready now to move up the ladder. The next test for him will be the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games this coming July in Puerto Rico. Then, in October, the Commonwealth Games take place in New Delhi, India. The Commonwealth Games will pose much more of a difficulty for him if he is going to get on the medal podium. At the games will be powerful swimming nations like Australia and South Africa, along with New Zealand, Great Britain and Canada. "I want to get a medal in one or more of my events at both the CAC and the Commonwealth Games. In India, I know that South Africa will be very tough. They have a great 50 meters squad," said Burrows. His program includes the 50 meters butterfly, the 50 metes freestyle; the 100 meters butterfly and the 100 meters freestyle. He holds national records in all of those events, 23.73, 22.39; 53.22 and 50.88, respectively. "I realize what is in front of me. To get where I want to be and where I am capable of going, my life will have to revolve completely around swimming and all that goes along with competing at a high level," acknowledged Burrows. It's a tough hill for him to climb, because he is still one year away from graduating with a Hospitality Management and Tourism major and a minor degree in Business. For him it will be studies and training, with little or no real time for anything else. Burrows is prepared to meet the challenge. "No success comes easy. I know what I'm up against and I am prepared mentally for it. I know what I have to do," he said. Burrows has come a long way in four years. He is not yet one of the sport's upper crust just yet, but is certainly poised for the breakthrough. He gives credit for support of his career to his parents, Elvis and Stephanie Burrows; grand parents Hayward and Minnette Cooper; the Central Zion Church family of Eight Mile Rock and Bahamas Swimming Federation.
Go Vereance!
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