Q&A with All-American Kareen Clarke
April 18, 2002
CORAL GABLES, Fla (www.hurricanesports.com) – All-American jumper Kareen Clarke recently took a few moments to share her thoughts and goals with Alex Zayas from the Sports Information Office.
Having been your last home meet, how do you feel you performed at the Gatorade Classic?
I really wanted to improve on what I did the previous year. I went out and qualified for the long jump, so I was happy with that. I went out and won both events. Especially since it was my last home meet, it was very important to me.
When did you become involved in Track and Field?
I became involved in track and field the second grade growing up in Jamaica.
Which athlete did you look up to when you were a kid?
I looked up to Gillian Russell. She graduated from UM and is one of the reasons I came to school here.
What are your short-term goals for track and field?
For right now, I want to win nationals and I want to get all around on the field and BIG EAST. My goal there would probably be breaking the record for the triple jump and placing well in the long jump.
What are you planning on doing after graduation?
I’m not sure. The way the season is going, I’ll probably try to do it on another level, but not for that long. I’d like to go back home and get my master’s degree in business.
What do you feel has been your greatest victory on the Track and Field team?
Setting my goals and actually accomplishing them. Every year my thing is to improve on what I did before, and every year I do that. So I say actually saying something and doing it is my greatest victory.
What has been your greatest Track and Field disappointment?
Not winning BIG EAST my sophomore year was probably my greatest disappointment.
What advice would you give young athletes?
Believe that anything is achievable. You can do anything you put your mind to. You’ve got to set goals for yourself, you can’t go on without a purpose.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to dance and watch TV. My favorite show is Mad TV.
What is one thing a lot of people don’t know about you?
A lot of people don’t know I’m young for the class I’m in. I’m only 21.
