“She understands that to be great you have to be able to get up. Being able to get up is the defining trait in a true champion.Raven endures and prospers. Raven understands that their are NO shortcuts. She embraces the fact that HARD and CORRECT work is the only way. She understands that to be great you have to be able to get up. Being able to get up is the defining trait in a true champion. On a champions journey getting knocked down but getting up and becoming even better separates great from exceptional. Raven's progression through life has been exceptional. On any front, rather it be academics, cultural life, or athletics she has pushed forward no matter the odds or obstructions. Raven brings people together. She is a positive influence. People genuinely like her and she genuinely likes people no strings attached. She embodies what a parent would want their child to be. We've got a t-shirt at Burke High School that says "Built BURKE Tough". Overcoming and enduring is our pathway to success. This is truthfully why Raven Saunders is a Gatorade Player of the Year on and off the field.”

Herbert Johnson

Head Coach

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-5 senior set a national prep record at the Taco Bell Classic in April, launching the shot put 56 feet, 8.25 inches to break a mark set in 2003 by nearly two feet. Saunders almost matched that effort at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor chmapion

Academic Achievement

Saunders has maintained a B average in the classroom.

Exemplary Character

The president of both the Burke High senior class and her school's student government, she has volunteered for two years as Burke's bulldog mascot at athletic events. Also an active participant in Burke's DECA chapter for emerging business leaders, Saunde

THE INTERVIEW

G: What is your team motto?

RS: Built Burke Tough

G: What one piece of advice do you have for freshman about being a successful high school student athlete?

RS: The advice i give to freshman that want to be successful student athletes is to try not to get distracted. There will be so many things that might make you lose focus but you have to remember your goals. Another thing is if you have help and support use it. It took teachers, cafeteria workers, school secretaries, janitors, my family and my coach to get me to where i am at. Using all of the resources you have will make things so much easier.

G: What is your favorite highlight from this year?

RS: My favorite highlight of this year was breaking the National Indoor High School record. It was my last indoor high school meet, and my third indoor track meet ever. I knew i was working hard and had a really good chance at breaking the record, but when I finally broke that 11 year record it made me the happiest person in the world.

G: What training habit has the most impact on your performance?

RS: The training habit that most impacts my performance is seeing the throw 10-30 times in my head before i actually throw. It is easier to put my body in the positions that i want it to if my mind has already done it multiple times.

G: What have you learned from your coach that you will never forget?

RS: One thing i learned from my coach that i will never forget is that no matter what happens or how you feel if you step in the shot put circle you are 100% healthy because the tape measure does not care how you feel.