Ocky Clark
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Octavius ("Ocky") Rene Clark is an American competitive runner who won the gold medal in the 800 meter event at the 1991 Pan American Games.
Early life
Clark was born on November 14, 1960, in Sanford, Florida and he grew up on his grandparents' farm in Bookertown, named after Booker T. Washington. Clark would interject Booker T. Washington's words of "Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work" into every aspect of his life. He was given the nickname Ocky by one of his favorite aunts.
High school
Clark began competitive running at Sanford Seminole High School as a 3200-meter runner. With times of 4:23.8 in the Mile, 1:57 for the 800 meters and 47 splits on the 4x400 relay he was one of the top runners at his school. After high school Clark attended
College
Clark entered Santa Fe Community College in the fall of 1982. He began with the Cross-Country team but it was clearly on the track where Clark would win two National Junior College indoor 800 meters titles and one outdoor championship. He never lost a National Junior College race. From 1982-84, Clark established the Junior College Indoor and Outdoor National Record. Accomplishing 5 Junior College All-American titles in only two years. Clark would follow one of his coaches, Coach Long to Florida State University, where he became a two time All-American and set school records at 800m 1:46.19, 1500m 3:43.02 that would stand for over 20 years.
Athletic career
It was his introduction to Brazilian National Coach
Work in military and education
Ocky served two tours of duty in
Achievements
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the United States | |||||
1988 | US National Championships | Tampa
|
2nd | 800m | 1:45.64 |
1990 | US National Championships | Norwalk | 4th | 800m | 1:45.99 |
1991 | US National Championships | New York City | 4th | 800m | 1:44.88 |
Pan American Games | Havana, Cuba
|
1st | 800m | 1:46.91 | |
1992 | US National Championships | New Orleans | 6th | 800m | 1:44.87 |