Walsh Jesuit's Alexis Steward inspired to roll into senior season
Alexis Steward hears it all the time.
With her diminutive size, long nails and long auburn hair, she often gets compared to United States sprinting star Sha'Carri Richardson.
"A lot of people have called me Sha'Carri or FloJo [Florence Griffith Joyner], just because of the hair and the nails," Stewart said. "I just want to live up to that name."
Steward got a jump on that Saturday at the Nordonia Knight Relays.
Steward won the title in the 100 meters in 12.63 seconds. She also ran the lead-off leg for Walsh's 400-meter (51.12 seconds) and sprint medley (1:56.22) relays, each of which finished second.
Walsh won the girls team title at Nordonia, edging Stow-Munroe Falls 75-73.5.
Steward said she had inspiration.
"I feel great. I'm doing it for my grandparents," she said. "I recently lost my grandmother and I feel really motivated going to college, going to nursing and really happy to have a great track season this year."
Steward has committed to run at Ashland University and study nursing, but first has goals of getting to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Walsh coach Peter Hannan said his sprint star has plenty of motivation.
"She's got some goals this year and she's got some revenge that she's got to get back from last year, since she didn't qualify to regionals in the open (100) or open (200)," Hannan said. "She weighs 100 pounds and it was windy and rainy. I think she had a headwind, so it just wasn't a good day.
"She bounced back and our 4x1 made it states last year and she anchored that."
After last year's disappointment, Steward said she has an attitude of All-Ohio or bust.
"I want to make it on the podium this year in the 100 and 200," she said. "Hopefully, that's the goal."
Hannan has no doubt his senior can make a splash in Columbus.
"I would like to see her qualify in all four events — 4x1, 4x2 and the open 100 and 200," Hannan said. "I don't think that's ever been done at Walsh. She's already got her school records in all the sprint events. Anything she does now is just building on her legacy that she's left."
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Alexis Steward looks to sprint onto state stage for Walsh Jesuit
