The Lincoln Log

Photo by Elizabeth Forbes

Greg Jew swims and has big dreams, as well as big hair.

High Schoolers are ever increasingly hearing about what I call “Super-Students.” We all know the type: they take ten Advance placement classes, are captains on their sports teams, seem to excel in everything they try, are known and liked by everyone, and never seem to break a sweat. This issue’s Mustang Athlete Spotlight focuses on one of these “Super Students”: Gregory Jew.

Jew, senior, is currently captain of the swim team, which he has been on for the last four years. His sophomore year he was voted most inspirational swimmer, and his junior year he was nominated most valuable swimmer. Although he’s never attained the ultimate honor, first place in a race, he is often silver, as he was with 58 seconds for 100 yard butterfly stroke in the last years all city championships, where he also took second in the 100 yard backstroke. Jew has also played soccer and volleyball.

This all-star athlete can claim success in more than sports though. His schedule this year includes AP English, AP government, and Physics. Last year he took AP U.S. History, AP English, and AP Biology, for the latter of which he actually got a five on the AP test.

Jew’s life is not all sports and homework—twice a week for the last year and a half he has served as a lifeguard at the UCSF pools. He serves as President of Mandarin club, is a member of the AP club, and fusion club.

Jew recently picked up surfing, and goes out every chance he gets. He’s been playing guitar for the past year, usually jazz, and with all his free time goes rock climbing, a hobby he has enjoyed since his freshman year.

Family is important to this “star student,” he’s close to both his older brothers, Corey, ALHS class of 2005, also captain of the swim team, and Alan, class of’2003 and, you guessed it, a Lincoln swimmer.

As a senior, colleges are now on his mind, as it is on all of his ’07 classmates’, but he doesn’t have it all planned out. “I put down a major in Microbiology for my college applications, but at this point I really don’t know what I’ll end up doing,” Jew explained.

When asked why he’s committed to the swim team for four long years, Jew replies,” it’s a different medium, you’ve got to mix it up; I love the water, and it doesn’t hurt that it keeps you fit.”