CLARKS MAKE STRONG STATEMENT
FOR
FAMILY VALUES!

In a historic achievement, by "voting with their feet" the Clark family kept it "all in the family" as they qualified for each spot on the Women's 800 meter squad of the 2000 United States Olympic Team.

The following item from the IAAF web site sums it all up:

Three members of the Clark family finished 1-2-3 in the women's 800 finals. 22-year-old Hazel Clark, competing in her first Olympic Trials, edged her 33-year-old sister-in-law, Jearl Miles-Clark, 1:58.97 to 1:59.12, while 37-year-old big sister Joetta Clark-Diggs made her fifth Olympic team with a homestretch charge that carried her past Meredith Rainey-Valmon in the last step, 1:59.49 to 1:59.50. All three Clarks are coached by J.J. Clark, brother of Joetta and Hazel and husband of Jearl.

Clarks Vindicate Positive Age-Group Track

The "family sweep" of the Women's 800 meters at the Olympic Trials by the Clarks should bring smiles to the faces of many knowledgeable age-group and scholastic track coaches and administrators and informed parents.

Well organized activities that utilize the well kept secret that "cooperation works" when dealing with other programs have facilitated the development of many stellar athletes from coast to coast. In addition, many other persons who have excelled in other fields had their careers launched in the structured activities of age-group track clubs and similar supervised youth programs that encourage the active support and involvement of their families. The Mid-Atlantic region has long made more than its share of positive contributions.

Some of the more advanced aspects of coaching techniques (especially on the collegiate and world-class level) may seem like esoteric rocket science. The common sense and well documented basics, however, should make the sport beneficial (and fun) for the youngsters involved and enhance their growth and development into mature adults whether they choose to continue their athletic careers or select other options.

The next time one of the Clark sisters goes to the starting line, you age-group coaches, cooperating scholastic coaches and supportive parents, smile and take a bow.

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