Record-breaking Riley Stewart ready for new challenge at Stanford
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (BVM) 鈥� It may come as somewhat of a surprise given all she鈥檚 accomplished, but Stanford recruit Riley Stewart hasn鈥檛 been a runner for that long.
The Cherry Creek High School senior actually started out as a volleyball and soccer player. She ran 鈥渁 little bit鈥� in middle school before running became her passion. But she never would鈥檝e imagined becoming one of the most decorated runners in the history of Colorado high school athletics.
鈥淒efinitely not,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淔reshman year I was still playing soccer and was still iffy about splitting between the two sports. Then with the changes due to COVID my sophomore year, that鈥檚 where my change happened and I鈥檝e just been running from then on.鈥�
Not only has Stewart been running ever since, but she鈥檚 also been excelling as the state鈥檚 best in two sports. Stewart has won four Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year awards 鈥� three in cross country and one in track and field. She was a triple state champion last spring 鈥� in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs 鈥� and she鈥檚 won three consecutive individual cross country state championships. Stewart also holds the record for the fastest 1,600 in Colorado high school history (4:44.13). The previous mark was held by Air Academy High School grad Katie Rainsberger, who鈥檚 the daughter of one of Stewart鈥檚 coaches, Lisa Rainsberger, a University of Michigan Track and Field Hall of Famer.
鈥淚 know Katie pretty well so it鈥檚 an honor to have the record after her,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淎nd with all the people who have come through Colorado 鈥� it鈥檚 a stacked state 鈥� it鈥檚 really amazing to have that record and be part of the legacy of Colorado.鈥�
With little left to prove at the high school level, Stewart is excited for the challenge that awaits in the Pac-12 with Stanford. She committed to the Cardinal last fall, unwilling to pass up the opportunity to compete for a school that had so much to offer a student-athlete who鈥檚 also shined in the classroom with a 4.11 GPA.
鈥淚鈥檓 definitely ready for it,鈥� Stewart said of the challenge Stanford presents. 鈥淗aving the best athletic and best academics, it鈥檚 something I would never dream of. It just had to be my decision and I鈥檓 just happy and excited about it.鈥�
Before she arrives on campus in California next fall, Stewart has one final spring track and field season to finish with her Cherry Creek teammates. She鈥檇 like to lower her record time in the 1,600 and hopefully set a new personal record in the 800 while also helping the Bruins to more success as a team. And then there鈥檚 always the chance of securing a staggering fifth Gatorade Player of the Year award.
鈥淥h my God 鈥� that would be super cool,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淗onestly I can鈥檛 even believe where I am now and leaving for college to run again next year, it鈥檚 crazy.鈥�
