Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Greg Stewart

Tony Altobelli

The old saying, “Records were made to be broken,” could very well

be the theme for Costa Mesa High track standout Greg Stewart.

“There are three school records that are within my sights,” Stewart said.

“I would love to top the 100, 200 and 400-meter runs before I graduate.

It’s gonna take a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’m going to go

for it.”

Mustangs’ Coach John Carney is using the sprinter’s sprinter, Carl Lewis,

as Stewart’s guide to success. “Any article or research involving Carl

Lewis, I give it to him,” Carney said. “If he knuckles down and does his

roadwork and puts in the hours, he could be one of the best sprinters

around.”

Including the aforementioned events, Stewart is Mesa’s opening leg of the

400 and 1,600 relay teams as well as a long jumper.

“He’s just a great kid,” Carney said. “He works hard in practice and is a

great example for the younger sprinters to try to reach his marks.”

The roadwork is paying off for Stewart. In a dual meet against University

last week, Stewart won the 100 (personal-best 10.88), 200 (22.98) long

jump (20-4) and the was a part of Mesa’s winning 400 relay team.

“The biggest thing I focus on are my form and my overall concentration,”

Stewart said. “Then my goal is just staying ahead of the opposition, no

matter what it takes.”

A Pacific Coast League champion in the 100 and 200 last year, Stewart

hopes for a return trip to the top of the league charts and even beyond.

He was sixth in the CIF Southern Section Division III Finals a year ago.

“I would love to compete in the CIF Masters Meet and go even further,”

Stewart said.

But with those lofty goals, however comes a ton of work, something that

Stewart, who also started for the Mustangs as a cornerback on the

football team, is ready for. “I’m putting in about 15 hours a week,”

Stewart said. “I’ve just got to stay focused on what I have to do and

concentrate on staying ahead of the competition.”

Will Stewart continue his sprinting career after Mesa? “There are a

couple of schools that have contacted me,” Stewart said. “But if I had a

say, I would love to go to Florida State or Arizona State for track.

Stewart has a rather interesting hobby or second passion. “I like

designing houses,” Stewart said. “I’ve done a few designs and it’s

something I am going to pursue when I get to college.”