NFA’s Brady Danyluk Closes Out High School Career

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – The numbers just keep on falling on Brady Danyluk’s Dream Board.

The impressive-sized whiteboard that adorns the soon-to-be Newburgh Free Academy graduate’s bedroom wall is packed full with goals. Whether it’s school, running or life, Danyluk is a firm believer in the potency of visualization.

“If you can see it, you can do it,” affirms Danyluk. “Setting goals and writing them down, helps me get better and prove I’m better than I think I am.”

Danyluk, who recently captured the New York State Boy’s Public High School Championship in the 800 meter run in one of the fastest splits in State history: 149.9, a number nearly 10 seconds faster than the then elusive 159.8 that covered his Dream Board sophomore year, is quick to cite the sources of that rapid improvement.

“I credit the time drop to Coach Burks (Malcolm), and his always keeping me humble but at the same time hungry to achieve more,” said Danyluk, who also elaborated upon Burks’ “intensely challenging and effective workouts.” “This indoor season he totally broke me down and then built me back up by improving my form and having me do strength work as well as Plyometric exercises; it’s all been about efficiency and not wasting energy.”

That efficiency “makeover” resulted in Danyluk’s recording of the fastest 800 meter split in the country early on this past winter track season and wielded two individual, revered NFA school records: in the 800 as well as 1000 meters. He further etched his name in the Goldback record books as a member of the outdoor 4 x 400 meter relay teams which also earned both Federation and Public High School State Championship laurels.

Adding to the impressiveness of Danyluk’s success is his relatively short tenure in the sport. While many runners initiate their track journeys in junior high, Danyluk solely ran cross country during that time, under the advice of his eighth grade social studies teacher and the fall running sport’s Varsity Coach, Chris Marino, simply to stay in shape for his deeply rooted, familial passion: baseball. However, a broken growth plate in his elbow his sophomore year curtailed that premiere athletic love. As luck-and perfect timing- would have it, something to take its place was fast on the horizon. A cross country member friend, Devin Batelic, convinced him to try winter track, where Danyluk immediately flourished on the oval, earning a State Meet qualification. He was now hooked.

“I saw at this time how I could get a scholarship for track easier than baseball,” recalled Danyluk. “I’ve always been a competitive person, so when I saw success with making States, it motivated me, especially really seeing how the sport is all about consistency and hard work rather than the raw talent involved with baseball.”

Before long, the seemingly lofty, sub- two minute mark in the 800 meters was entered on the Dream Board. Once shattered, it kept on eclipsing as Danyluk’s burning desire to improve further ignited, fueled by both Coach Burks as well as his family, past alumnus, and his entire community.

“Past NFA runners have contacted me after breaking school records and for other reasons, and my family has always been there supporting me, driving hours sometimes to see me run for a very short time,” said Danyluk. “I really feel that support, and it lifts me to want to do even better.”

Danyluk is also uplifted by the special potency of his NFA Track “family,” a priceless piece of his unforgettable high school track journey.

“I love the family ‘legacy’ Coach Burks has built,” said Danyluk, who was initially “scared” making the transition from his comfort zone baseball realm to the track sphere. “I immediately felt welcomed by everyone on this team, who is always there for one another; I’m just so grateful and happy to have been a part of something so special.”

Danyluk’s running as well as academic career will continue to evolve, as he officially became a member of the Northeastern University Track and Field Team this spring, signing a National Letter of Intent to the esteemed Division I school. With aspirations of becoming a civil engineer since elementary school, Danyluk dubbed Northeastern- where he has deeply embedded familial roots- his “Dream School” ever since he can remember. Not only will that whiteboard continue to be filled up with even faster running split goals, but it will also be “balanced” with aspirations for equally important priorities.

“I want to be a student athlete; one day track and field is not going to be there, and I want to have a job, career where I can make a difference,” said Danyluk. “I try to inspire my teammates to always be the best versions of themselves- not just on the track, but off of it.” Reflecting further about the impact his relatively still new track involvement has had on his life, Danyluk added, “Running has taught me; leadership, how to be a part of a team and that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”