The triple-sport athlete: Greg Lyons
Out of all the excellent athletes who walk through Aragon’s halls, a certain group of athletes stands out—the three sport athletes. These students represent a different level of sports commitment entirely. These are the Dons who posses the athletic prowess and dedication to play sports for Aragon year-round.
Senior Greg Lyons is not just a three-sport athlete—he’s a varsity three-sport athlete. Lyons starts his summer in football conditioning camp and continues playing throughout the fall. When football ends, his winter is dedicated to basketball. When basketball season terminates, spring finds him on the baseball diamond.
“You think summer is gonna be your break, but then all three sports expect you to play summer. [In the fall] football [season]ended on a Friday, and basketball started the next day—I had a game that Saturday,” says Lyons.
“Greg is a special, special athlete,” says football coach and Athletic Director Steve Sell. “Not only is he the best blocking tight end we’ve ever had, he might the best overall blocker that we’ve ever had. He is just outstanding.”
Varsity basketball coach Sam Manu agrees, “Greg’s got a great team attitude, and he’s a good sport; he fits right in. He’s a really good influence on the team,” says varsity basketball coach Sam Manu.
Being a good athlete is one thing, but being consistently competent at three different sports takes a different level of skill entirely.
“You can’t play three sports unless you have the versatile set of skills,” says Manu.
“Three sport athletes in general tend to be more adaptable and quick learners. They’re [great guys to have on team]. Greg in particular is one of our best offensive players, probably one of our best defensive players, and he’s our punter. He’s really something,” says Sell.
Not all of Lyon’s strengths lie in athletics, however.
“Greg tries really hard, and he’s really smart too. He gets good grades and he really knows what he’s doing,” says junior varsity football player Aaron Yen.
Lyons sees himself as a student first and an athlete second.
“I might end up playing football in college, but I’m planning on going to college for my grades, and walking on to any sport I can get into. If it doesn’t work out there’s always club and intramural sports,” he says.
Lyons is very academically successful, which is impressive considering he has practice year round as well as multiple AP classes. “I’m taking multi-variable calculus, AP Physics and AP Government, which definitely a decent course load for my senior year,” he says.
Lyon’s intellectual ability presents itself in the classroom and on the sports field.
“Greg is extremely smart, and he’s not just book-smart—he’s got athletic sense. He gives good information about what the offense is doing, what the defense is doing, right on the start,” says Sell. “He’s really a leader on the team.”
Lyons has become quite adept at managing his massive workload.
“During the summer, I told the team that practice was at 8:30, and that they should be [at the gym] at 8:15. Greg was there at 7:30. That should tell you everything, especially when you consider that he was trying out for football at the same time,” says Manu.
Lyons comments on the difficulty of this commitment. “The hardest thing about playing three sports is the constant attack on your body. Being a three-sport athlete is all about constantly playing and staying healthy. If I don’t stay healthy, I have to take time off and I don’t taking time off,” he says.
Amazingly, Lyons has escaped major injury over his high school sports career. “The worst [injuries] I’ve had were a dislocated shoulder and a sprained knee. I’ve been relatively fortunate that my injuries have been minor [compared to other athletes], although I do have a sprained ankle right now, and I had shoulder surgery my freshman year.”
The most recognizable characteristic of Lyons is his persistence and sportsmanship.
“I remember one time, in our positive circle [a circle we make after the game, where everyone says something positive], Greg called out the team, and told us that we needed to show more heart, because we had lost that game. He really seemed like a leader at that moment,” says senior Christian Larsen.
“What I love about Greg is that…he’s unselfish. We were at a game, and he had sprained his ankle a couple days ago, but when I got a call from a player who didn’t have a ride, Greg heard and immediately said he’d go pick the guy up. So he hopped in the car with his sprained ankle, and brought him to the game. It’s stuff like that just tell you so much [about his character],” says Manu.
Greg Lyons is the definition of what it means to be a Don: He’s an athlete on the field and an academic in the classroom. He’s a leader on the team and a role model in the school hallways. Whether he’s in the dugout or at a desk, Lyons exudes excellence.
