Staten Island, NY | Staten Island native Caitlyn Burns is as focused a student-athlete that you will see, a track & field dynamo and exceptional student that knows exactly what she wants. She made the choice to attend the College of Staten Island this fall and has no regrets. She is one of a handful of new recruits to the budding track and field program that is waiting to get on to the scene to make a splash within the ECC and NCAA Division II ranks.
For Burns, making the decision to come to the school in her native borough over others in play like Middlesex College and Kean University was all about fit, and having the ability to compete for CSI's program at a high level was the icing on the cake.
"When I was going to all the open houses, it was very overwhelming and I thought I wasn't going to find a school that best fit my personality and career goals," Burns explained. "After going to the CSI open house and talking to some professors, I could really see myself here. I was still unsure about my decision until the CSI coaching staff reached out to me. I felt like this was a sign from God that this was where I was suppose to be and what I'm supposed to do. An opportunity like this doesn't come every day. I'm still extremely grateful for this opportunity I've been given. It's something I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Head Coach
Andrew Gangemi is grateful for the kind words by Burns, but he contends the feelings were mutual. A two-sport star at St. Joseph by the Sea High School, Burns excelled on both the track and for the school's soccer program. Soccer has been her sport growing up, and she was named the SICHSAA's Most Improved Player in 2017 while also nabbing the school's Peggy Ryan Sportsmanship Award, leading the Vikings to the Junior Varsity CHSAA Championship. When she got to high school she was persuaded by her parents to adopt track as well and is glad she did. She immediately made an impact, claiming a fourth-place finish at the CHSAA Sectional Championships in the 55-meter Dash in 2018. She also earned a pair of medals at the CHSAA Championships in the 100-meter Dash and 4x200-meter Relay, taking the silver medal in both. Saying she will now make an impact for CSI would be an understatement, according to her new coach.
"Caitlyn is a very good athlete who showcases in a lot of events and has the talent to long jump too," said Gangemi. "She's one of the best short sprinters on the Island and I think she will be a major factor in the development of our program. When we touched base and squared away her being a part of the team in late-Spring, we were very happy."
Gangemi also knows that Burns' athletic prowess just tells half of the story. She is just as headstrong in the classroom, and is looking forward to majoring in Psychology at CSI, putting her on a focused career path.
"I chose this major because I always thought of how cool it would be to understand the human brain," she explained. "After getting a degree, I'm planning on working in law enforcement and being a part of a K-9 Unit."
Burns has already started on that academic path, attending CSI remotely this fall and excelling in those core classes she needs to progress towards her degree, already boasting a GPA well over 3.5. She takes that same approach to her athletic career, putting in the work so that when official return-to-play protocols are put in place, she will be ready to do her part to make CSI a contender. "I plan to help the team achieve its goals," she stated. "I plan on doing this by being a good teammate, making the team's needs a priority, and doing whatever it takes to help them."
That mentality is what has attracted Gangemi to Burns and the many new faces that will be on his roster when the season does get underway. "That's a big part of our program," commented the coach. "She checks all the boxes of the type of character we want to be a part of our culture here. She is a well-rounded student-athlete that reinforces the family atmosphere we strive for. We pride ourselves on having student-athletes who are very competitive but also know what it takes to be a part of a larger team that serves as an extended family."
Burns knows that will be vital for the team moving forward. Not only is the jump to NCAA Division II new for CSI, but the track program itself is also very new, only in its third year as a varsity program, so coming together will be a focus moving forward. "It's nice to be part of something like this as a freshman," Burns said. "The team is very welcoming and I can't wait to meet them all in person. We do have Zoom calls once in awhile to check up on each other but It's not the same as being in person. We all can't wait to get started."
The lack of personal interaction hasn't stopped Burns, however. So used to being active year-round, she hasn't let the COVID stall be an excuse for her, as she knows her teammates are depending on her. "This year has been crazy, but it definitely made me more focused," she said. "My parents have a gym in the basement so I go downstairs and work out every day. My goal is to be the best I can be so I can make a good contribution when the time comes."
Running everything from the 55-meter to the 400-meter Dash in High School and being a part of multiple relay teams, Burns knows that her number will be called often at CSI. She is part of a foundation being set that intends to be competitive once restrictions are lifted and part of a team that expects to contend for Championships in the East Coast Conference every year. She is understandably looking forward to showcasing and a being a part of that environment, and taking full advantage of what being a part of a college team has to offer. "I'm just looking forward to being part of the team," she said. "I'm hoping to make friends that will last not for only four years but for a lifetime. I'm looking forward to a great experience. I'm nervous but I'm so excited to see what the future holds for me and the team."
Born in Brooklyn, Burns and her family moved to Staten Island a little over a decade ago. She currently resides in Princes Bay, with her parents Enza and Thomas Burns, who are both marathon runners. Her younger brother, John, currently plays baseball at Monsignor Farrell High School.
It's exciting to see how the CSI Women's Track & Field team is developing. Caitlyn Burns promises to be a big part of that development. Like many, she chose CSI, and the Dolphins will be better for it.
