W 800 F01 : Speakers & Interviews

Hazel Clark never wanted to run track when she was growing up because her whole family ran and had been so successful. The thought of always being compared to her siblings did was not something Hazel…
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Hazel Clark never wanted to run track when she was growing up because her whole family ran and had been so successful. The thought of always being compared to her siblings did was not something Hazel…
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Hazel Clark never wanted to run track when she was growing up because her whole family ran and had been so successful. The thought of always being compared to her siblings did was not something Hazel was excited about. Finally during Hazel?s junior year of high school she stepped on the track and her family genes were evident right away. Hazel ran a 2:10 her junior year and won multiple state titles and was the number one 800m recruit her senior year. Hazel was recruited by many of the top schools but she stayed in the family and attended Florida, where she could be coached by her older brother J.J. Clark. While at Florida, Hazel won a NCAA title in the DMR her freshman year and went on to win 4 more NCAA title after her career in Gainesville ended. In 2000 Hazel surprised many by winning the Olympic trials and represented the US in Australia. The years following 2000 were slowed because of a stress fracture, but Hazel regained form and finished third at the 2004 Olympic Trials and again represented the US at the Olympics. 2005 was a huge year; Hazel was ranked in the top ten in the world for the first time and set a PR in the 800 with a time of 1:57.99. In 2006 Hazel was ranked in the top ten in the world for a second straight year and won her third US 800m title. Hazel rains in Knoxville and continues to work under Coach J.J. Clark.