At number seven on our list of the top 10 all-time OFSAA performers, we make our first foray into the field events with thrower extraordinaire Greg Jack. The Eganville native collected an impressive 11 OFSAA medals during his five year career split between Opeongo High School and St. Pius X. Among the 11 medals Jack amassed were six golds, which is made even more impressive when you consider he was battling the likes of three time Olympians and future Canadian and Interscholastic record holders Jason Tunks and Brad Snyder.
Right from his start in grade nine, Jack proved he would be a force to be reckoned with throughout his high school days as he was the class of the midget boys shot put field, heaving the four kilogram ball out to 16.12 metres, more than a meter further beyond his competitors, including Mr. Tunks. However, in Tunks’ specialty, the discus, he got the upper hand, and Greg took home a bronze for his efforts with a very respectable 46.73 metres.
Owing to a late birthday, Jack returned to the midget category in grade 10 and made quick work of the competition, adding two more gold medals as well as his first silver. Making his first foray in to the javelin, Jack was dominant against the provincial field, dropping the 600 gram spear nearly four metres further than the silver medalist. In the other two throws, Jack defended his shot put gold and upgraded to silver in the discus.
After a solitary shot put silver grade 11, Jack swept all three throws events in grade 12, narrowly defeating Brad Snyder in both the shot put and discus. It was also the first season Jack was competing for the X-Men of St. Pius. In the javelin, Jack was again the class of the field with a best throw of 52.90 metres – five and a half metres clear of his nearest competitor.
Jack completed his high school career with a pair of bronze medals in the discus and javelin before embarking on a collegiate career at Florida State University. After his time in Tallahassee, Jack headed north to Pittsburgh to pursue a graduate degree and begin coaching. Following Pitt, Jack spent 16 years as throws and eventually Associate Head Coach at Virgina Tech University where he coached former Lion thrower Brian MacPhee, and guided his athletes to 67 All-American recognitions and 13 NCAA titles.
Most recently, Jack has formed his own company, Track and Field Strategies, where he works to bridge the information gap between aspiring student athletes and opportunities in the the United States post secondary system.