This Friday, we had the honor of welcoming a one-of-a-kind athlete onto our Concord Athletic Department Wall of Fame: Greg Barton, an outstanding person who happens to be a four-time Olympic kayaker and a two-time gold medalist. While he claimed a spot on our wall of fame, he also had the opportunity to speak at an assembly to the 9-12 students. This sadly got cancelled due to recent snow days.
Barton is recognized as one of the most accomplished Olympic flatwater kayakers in history. Being born on April 23, 1959, in Jackson, Michigan. Barton developed a passion for kayaking at a young age after years of commitment, training, and persistence. Barton rose to the top and represented the United States in multiple Olympic Games, earning several medals throughout his career.
In Los Angeles, 1984, Barton was awarded Bronze in K-1 1000m. In Seoul, he achieved Gold in K-1 1000m and Gold in K-2 1000m, and lastly in the year of 1992 in Barcelona, Barton earned Bronze in K-1 1000m. All of these awards take countless hours of practice and grit, but that was no problem for him as he stayed committed throughout the hardships, making it impossible for anything to interfere with his vision and goals.
Competing at such a high level can physically and mentally take a toll. When Barton was asked what the most difficult part of competing in the Olympics was, he responded with, “The most challenging part was definitely the psychological part… it’s just a whole other level; it really puts a lot of pressure on that one day of your event.”
Mike Jurasek, with whom Barton went to high school and ran cross country, is still a part of our Concord staff today. Jurasek shares his favorite memory with Barton: winning the Cross Country State Championship in 1975. Adding to this, Jurasek was the individual who invited Barton back to CHS, to speak and take a spot on the athlete wall of fame. When asked what it was about his story that he thought would be inspirational to the Concord Community? Jurasek responded with, “Greg is a 4-time Olympian, and the fact that he came from Concord and was able to accomplish this says that anyone can do it if they have the drive.”
As we recognize Barton for all of these accomplishments, we also want to recognize him for all the things he did at Concord. Barton attended Concord Schools from K-10, then transferred to Homer for the remaining years of high school. During the time he spent at Concord, he participated in the sport of cross country. When he transferred to Homer, he joined the wrestling team as well. After this time, Barton graduated from the University of Michigan in 1983 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While taking a semester off to train for the 1980 Olympics.
Barton later settled in Seattle, where he started his business “Epic Kayaks”, which makes high-end kayaks, paddles, and surf skis, as he wanted to create these high-quality pieces to fit his own personal preferences. This business is thriving, and Barton continues to influence the sport through equipment design.
So many people look up to him, not just as an athlete but as a role model. Barton shares his biggest piece of advice for the youth athletes who want to reach the Olympics: “The most important thing is that you need to keep consistency in your training. I started at age 10 and finally won a gold medal at age 28. So it took me 18 years to get from the beginner level to an Olympian.”
The United States Canoe Association is a non-profit promoting canoeing and kayaking. Barton had the honor of an event being named the “Greg Barton Cup Challenge” to celebrate his impact on the sport. The US Canoe Association is often associated with competitive paddling events, such as those hosted by the Kalamazoo Canoe and Kayak Club.
Greg Barton’s career proves that success doesn’t just come from talent, but also from hard work and determination. His Olympic achievements, as well as starting a business for athletes who strive to be like him someday, have left a lasting mark on kayaking for generations. He reminds us that accomplishments can aspire not just to personal accomplishments but also to the growth of countless communities. Barton is truly someone people should look up to, as his story shows how perseverance and passion can lead to greatness, making him a true role model in the world of sports.
