Amy Burlingham

Steve Virgen

She’s the girl people call Amy B., as in Burlingham, but the B

could also stand for “bolt” because of her lightning-quick speed.

Newport Harbor High senior Amy Burlingham has talent that has made

her a Parade All-American in girls soccer, skill that has earned her

a scholarship to play at the University of Texas and game-breaking

ability that makes her a threat in any match.

For all of her versatility, Burlingham’s fortunes can be traced to

her speed. It’s not just speed in winning balls, but also an

extraordinary quickness with the ball. So, just where does Amy B’s

burst come from? Has it been developed?

“You can obviously develop speed, but to tell you the truth I

think I was born with the pace,” Burlingham said. “My parents were

athletes so I think I was born with it. You can develop it, to a

certain extent. But you just have to have it.”

Burlingham certainly has it. And, it’s what has helped the Sailors

turn their season around. Last week, Burlingham, the Daily Pilot

Athlete of the Week, scored a hat trick to lead Newport to a 4-0

nonleague win over Back Bay rival Corona del Mar. Coach Jason Sorrell

called the victory the best game the Sailors played this season. Two

days later, Burlingham used her speed to score the goal in Newport’s

1-0 win over Foothill Jan. 9.

With the victory over Foothill, the Sailors had reeled off three

straight wins and Burlingham scored five of the six goals in that

span.

“She’s really fast,” Coach Sorrell said. “We haven’t got anybody

that can match her speed. She’s extremely fit and extremely quick.

It’s a God-given gift. There’s people out there who think you can

teach speed, but she just has the ability to be quick. She has the

talent and the speed and she uses that to beat defenders.”

Burlingham displayed her qualities to give Newport a 1-0 lead

against CdM. She ran out on a breakaway and beat everyone to a lead

pass by freshman Amy Clippert and Burlingham put it away. In

celebration, Burlingham pushed up the forefinger and small finger of

each hand and raised them to the sky. It’s called the hook ‘em horns

sign seen mostly by the Longhorns at the University of Texas.

“It was a spur of the moment kind of thing,” Burlingham said of

her celebration, the first time she showed the horns this season.

Burlingham said she enjoyed the recruiting process. She had the

opportunity to travel to five schools, including the University of

Virginia. There was a time, Burlingham dreamed of playing for soccer

powerhouse North Carolina, but she realized she would rather be at a

different university so to have the chance to beat the Tar Heels.

She found the chance at Texas. However, initially she thought that

would not be the place for her.

“To tell you the truth I didn’t think I would like it that much,”

Burlingham said. “But when I got there I fell in love with the team

and the atmosphere of the school.

“They bleed orange there. The University of Texas is huge. They

have a great program and great people. I fell in love with it, and I

just knew that was the place for me.”

Burlingham’s senior season, which included signing with the

Longhorns, has been an example for her teammates, Sorrell said.

Though Burlingham is a senior leader, who leads mostly with her play

and her accolades. She is not too vocal, on the contrary rather shy.

“I think a lot of the kids look up to her,” Sorrell said. “She’s

very recognizable. If she plays well, the kids look up to that, and

hopefully they can play like her.

“She’s very shy, believe it or not,” Sorrell continued. “She

doesn’t necessarily like all the attention. She’s one of those girls

who would most like to just play. She would rather just go home right

after the game.”