By Isabelle Leofanti, Metea Valley High School

As I watched my teammate, Lucy Burk, get handed the 2024 BODYARMOR Series MVP Belt, I couldn’t resist holding in my excitement for her.

Knowing the countless hours Lucy put into both the sport and our Metea Valley team, there was truly no question who deserved to be selected from nearly 3,000 girls soccer players and win the prestigious award.

“Lucy led by example and led with a strong work ethic,” Metea Valley coach Chris Whaley said. “I believe being a part of the (BODYARMOR Series) inspired her to be at her best.”

It was a heart-touching presentation and even more special with how the surprise unfolded.

See, Lucy was told that she was coming to the Stadium Club in McCook on Father’s Day to film a video about the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. As TV cameras began filming, Lucy was having a conversation with her Dad, Matt Burk, and Chicago Fire defender Andrew Gutman, who was undercover on set as a recent graduate from Hinsdale Central.

Andrew, who did attend Hinsdale Central years earlier and won the Hermann Award as the best NCAA men’s soccer player while at Indiana University, is in his sixth season as a pro and recently signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Fire. He played along with the skit to keep Lucy engaged, as our teammate Sydney Phillips and I stood with two U.S. Marines and the iconic BODYARMOR MVP Belt behind the scenes.

“Lucy, I hear you’re a pretty good soccer player, and I have a special surprise for you,” said Andrew, who joined a long list of Chicago pro athletes like Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears), Kyle Hendricks (Cubs), Andrew Vaughn (White Sox) and Brad Guzan (USMNT) to present the MVP Belt.

It was at that moment when the U.S. Marines came around the corner and officially presented the BODYARMOR MVP Belt to Lucy’s Dad. For years, Lucy and her Dad spent most Sundays traveling to and from soccer games, so it was extra special for her Dad to have the opportunity to present the well-deserved honor to his oldest daughter.  

“When I received the award, I was extremely confused because I was told I was just getting interviewed with my Dad,” said Lucy, whose Mom and grandparents also were in attendance. “But once the U.S Marines presented the award, I felt so honored.”

Along with the BODYARMOR MVP Belt came a check for Lucy to donate to her favorite local charity. Lucy and her friend, Abby Ruppe, made the delivery together a week after the MVP surprise. The duo presented it to Little Friends in Naperville, which helps support people of all ages with autism. Abby’s brother, Benny, has autism.

“I was very proud of Lucy to have won this unexpected award,” Matt said. “It was a nice way to end her Metea career, as Metea had a lot of success as a team in the BODYARMOR Series.”

Lucy’s Dad was right, it was a great way to end a high school career that also included: The 2022 3A state title, being named All-State, breaking the school’s all-time career assist record and winning a national championship with her Galaxy club team.

Having played alongside Lucy since my freshman year and seeing how hard she worked was a blessing to learn from, and I will miss her when she’s playing at Northern Michigan University next season.

“BODYARMOR played a major part in my high school career, because some of my best memories and accomplishments came through the event,” Lucy said. “My Dad has been my biggest supporter on and off the field for my entire life, so for him to hand the award to me meant absolutely everything.”

And it meant everything to me to have the opportunity to be one of the first people to congratulate the new BODYARMOR MVP.

To see TV coverage from the BODYARMOR surprise, click here or here. You may read about Lucy’s special donation to Little Friends by clicking here.