The 2027 NC State commit looks ahead with determination and strong support behind her
A Vision for the Wolfpack
Kaylynn “Kj” Burkel, a recent 2027 commit to the North Carolina State Wolfpack, already has a vision. The infielder from Slinger High School in Slinger, Wisconsin sees herself as one that will be part of a program on the rise. She wants to help bring the glory to Raleigh and NC State.
The Wolfpack has the best recruiting class for 2026 in the ACC, and Coach Leftwich and her staff look to keep that momentum going forward.
“One thing for me was, you can tell that they’re trying to grow the program and NC State is going to be good in the future,” said Burkel. “So that is really exciting to me, and obviously, I want to be a part of that. I want to win an ACC championship and win a national championship. I think what Coach Leftwich is building, we are capable of doing both of those things.”
Raleigh and the Pack Community
Coach Leftwich and NC State are definitely on the right track of recruiting good players that are buying in. Also, the city of Raleigh and the support behind NC State athletics is something that got Kj’s attention.
“I love that it’s not like a super big and like overwhelming city, but it still gives you that big campus feel. And also I think they have a great community behind them. So that’s really important to me,” she said.
Where It All Started
So, how did Kaylynn Burkel get to this point? Where did it start and who had an impact on her athletic beginnings? As most say, she got into softball at a young age and has loved it ever since. Her older brother Kaleb Burkel, a football player now at UW-Platteville, inspired her to love the grind.
“I would say I look up to my brother, although he doesn’t play the same sport as me. He’s into his first year of college football and football is like insane. Like they go from seven to seven every day,” said Kj.
“Like it’s very hardcore and just like being able to see how much work he puts in and like he’s enjoying it so much. It kind of inspired me, and I feel like I’m even more motivated now to want to work and get better.”
Coaches Who Guide the Way
Kaylynn puts in the extra work to get better, and has great people around her to help guide her. People that have been where she is going, and genuine coaches and instructors to help place her in the right direction. Her high school head coach is Tanya Farhat. Farhat is a national champion with the 1996 Arizona Wildcats, so she definitely knows what it takes.
“Like she knows what it’s like to play at that level so she’s there to push us all the time and like she expects a lot out of us,” said Kj.
Kaylynn also expressed how important her outside training is to her build as an athlete. She credits her hitting coach, Jim Donovan, for helping her become better as a player and mentally. Coach Donovan has helped many over the years and knows how to reach players in more ways than just swinging a bat. He has helped Burkel get through the mental struggles of softball.
“Honestly, I would just say keep working. I mentioned Jim Donovan before. I remember the beginning of my summer season, coming out of high school season, it was really rough for me,” said Kj. “So I continued to go to hitting lessons.
“Then also talking about my mental state and what I was feeling helped me process that softball is a game of failure. You are going to fail, but just trusting in your training and knowing that you are a good player really helped me.”
Travel Ball and Recruiting Support
Kj Burkel is dedicated to the game, and the people she trusts to help her along the way are dedicated as well. She plays travel ball for the Illinois Chill organization. She mentioned that the drive to practice isn’t quick, but the family-like culture of the program makes it easy for her to do. Another great support is her travel coach Gerry Quinn. Some travel organizations and coaches get a bad rap, but not this one.
“Gerry Quinn has helped a lot with recruiting, and he gets us in those good tournaments where all the coaches are gonna be,” Kj said. “He talks to them, he’s been very helpful throughout my whole recruiting process since 14 when I joined the team to now.
“So I think that’s one really big thing, because I see some girls where their coaches do little to nothing. I think he’s been a big part of my journey, which I’m extremely grateful for, because I know a lot of girls don’t have that.”
Inspired by the Next Level
Kaylynn “Kj” Burkel is coming up in a great time where pro softball is rising to a new level, and it will only continue. Burkel says, “It’s very interesting and exciting to see that softball is becoming so big.” Playing professionally is something that she could see herself doing one day and would love to get that opportunity.
So, who in the game does she look up to? She points to US Women’s National Team and Bandits player Skylar Wallace.
“I really like Skylar Wallace. Like she’s kind of similar to me in the way that she’s not super big, like obviously she’s strong, but I think it shows that you don’t have to be the biggest girl on the team to hit the ball the farthest,” said Burkel.
“She has inspired me to get in the gym and work hard, get muscular and big, and then obviously hit the ball better.”
Family at the Center
Wallace may inspire Kj to get in the gym and work hard, but it all started with her parents. They knew early on what Kj’s dreams and goals were, and they have held her to the standard of hard work. She mentioned that they know what she is capable of, and have kept a good balance of hard work and also knowing when to relax a little.
In speaking with Kaylynn Burkel, I realized one thing that makes a huge difference in her life and in others who are blessed to share the same type of surroundings. She has a great support group surrounding her. That is something she doesn’t take for granted and is very grateful for.
Great Things Ahead for Kj Burkel
Burkel, with her determination and dedication, is poised to do great things at NC State and in life. I want to thank Kaylynn “Kj” Burkel for taking the time to join me for this conversation. Keep up the hard work and determination.
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