GREG CORTINA

Steinert & The Hun School -- Shot Put

For much of the 20th Century, Mercer County and shot-put success for scholastic boys were often synonymous. The greatest of those, who left an indelible mark at two different schools, may have been Greg Cortina.

Cortina made his first magical impressions by taking the Central Group IV and Group IV state titles in the shot put for Steinert in 1969, setting a handful of school marks that still stood upon his induction into this hall of fame over a half-century later. 

Those feats alone would’ve qualified Cortina for this honor, but in reality he was only just warming up for what he would accomplish at the Hun School. 

In 1971, Cortina won the Prep A state title and at the All-American meet set a state record with a best of 67-1 ¾. Soon thereafter at the prestigious Golden West Invitational in California, he went 68-9 and remains one of the best scholastic shot putters in New Jersey history.

On the collegiate level, he mirrored his high school success at two locations, setting records at Notre Dame and Penn. At Notre Dame, he finished seventh at the NCAA Championships while at Penn he helped his team win the Ivy League title.

Cortina competing for UPenn 1975

A track and football coach at Trenton State College, who helped both throwers and jumpers, Cortina came home to the field of chiropractor, where he practiced in Hamilton Township for over 30 years before his retirement. MAJOR TITLES

• Golden West Champion Shot Put 1971

• State Group IV Shot Put Champion 1969

• 2x Prep A State Champion Shot Put & Discus 1971

• 2x SJ Sectional Champ Shot Put & Discus 1969

• 4x Mercer County Champion Shot Put 1968 & '69, Discus 1968 & '69
  

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