For Mercer Island High School senior Blakeley Bourke, this year has been defined by determination, leadership, and an impressive ability to balance multiple sports at a high level.

Blakeley competed in high school soccer in the fall, high school basketball and club soccer in the winter, and high school track and club soccer in the spring. While many student-athletes focus on one season at a time, Blakeley spent much of the year moving from one practice, game, meet, or training session to the next.

“It was definitely a really big challenge,” she says. “In the winter and spring, when I had a high school sport and a club sport, I basically had sports for four hours every day, not including travel time.”

On top of that demanding athletic schedule, Blakeley also had to manage her schoolwork and responsibilities as a senior. During soccer season, she stepped into a leadership role as team captain, learning how to help keep the team focused while still making sure everyone enjoyed the experience.

Of all the sports she has played, soccer has shaped Blakeley the most.

“Soccer has taught me the most since I have been doing it for the longest amount of time,” she says. “It has taught me that through hard work, I can achieve the goals that I want, and that resilience is important because there will be highs and lows no matter what.”

That resilience has paid off in a big way. This year, Blakeley earned first-team honors, committed to play college soccer, and had the opportunity to compete with the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team.

“Getting to represent your country is what many players dream of as a kid, so the experience was pretty surreal,” she says. “It was such an amazing experience to play with other players like me.”

Playing with the Deaf USWNT meant even more to Blakeley than she expected. The experience gave her a new sense of connection, helping her realize she was not alone in the challenges that come with hearing loss.

“It helped me to realize that other people know how I feel and can relate on a similar level,” she says. “It opened my mind to newer possibilities and playing styles when it comes to soccer and helped me be more mindful of who and what is going on around me.”

Next year, Blakeley will continue her soccer career at St. Olaf College, where she will play Division III soccer. She says the coaching staff, campus, and team culture all made the school feel like the right fit.

“After talking to my family and the coaches multiple times, I just knew that this was the school for me,” she says. “Honestly, I had that feeling on my visit that St. Olaf felt like home and where I could succeed as a student-athlete for the next four years.”

At the college level, Blakeley is most excited to keep growing. She is looking forward to learning from new coaches and older players, approaching the game from a fresh perspective, and becoming the best version of herself as an athlete.

One of the most influential people in Blakeley’s athletic journey has been her coach, Rosie White. A former professional player, Rosie brought experience, knowledge, and encouragement that helped Blakeley grow both on and off the field.

“I have always been super hard on myself,” Blakeley says. “She helped me believe in myself, which in turn made me a better player.”

That belief has become one of the lessons Blakeley hopes to pass on to younger athletes.

“I would tell younger athletes to believe in yourself,” she says. “If you don’t believe in yourself, then the belief of others won’t really matter. I would also note that pressure is a privilege, so take those feelings and use them to push yourself to do your best.”

For Blakeley, sports have reinforced the value of hard work, resilience, and trusting the process. She is motivated by seeing effort turn into progress and progress turn into success.

Outside of athletics, people may be surprised to learn that Blakeley loves hiking, chicken tenders, and traveling to new places.

Being named Athlete of the Month is especially meaningful to her because it recognizes not just the games, awards, and big moments, but also the quiet work that happens behind the scenes.

“I have worked so hard to become a better version of myself,” she says. “A lot of the behind-the-scenes work athletes do tends to go unnoticed, so this helps show that all the work I put in is paying off.”