Woodward’s Khloe Clemence has had early success in her high school career on the track.
The freshman recently qualified for the Class 5A State Championships in three events. She was a regional champion in two of those events.
Clemence, who also runs cross country and plays basketball for the Boomers, advanced to the state meet in the 1600 meter run, 3200 meter run and helped Woodward land a spot in the 4×800 meter relay.
“My goals for track this year were to make it to state in three events and to beat a school record,” said Clemence, who started running at local Kiwanis track meets when she was in first grade.
Clemence’s regional title time in the 1600 meter was a 5:39.33, which was a personal record. She also ran a personal best 12:43.25 in the 3200 meter at the regional meet. In the 4×800, she ran a 2:35 leg to help the Boomers to a fourth-place finish.
“As an individual I have made major improvements,” she said. “I have improved, not only physically, but mentally as well. I feel like our team has really improved since our first meet. At regionals, everyone did amazing and our girls team placed fourth.”
Last fall, Clemence ran a school record time of 20:59.06 and finished 22nd at the 5A Cross Country State Championships in Edmond.
The standout runner had other goals she wanted to reach apart from track.
“My academic goals were to keep a 4.0 GPA and to have above a 95 in all of my classes,” Clemence said. “Other goals that I had for this year were to read the whole Bible and to gain more confidence in basketball.”
“It can be difficult to play multiple sports and keep up with schoolwork at the same time,” she added. “I give up a lot of time that I could hang out with my friends or rest so that I can achieve all of my goals academically and in sports.”
Clemence, whose favorite drill is mile repeats because they challenge her to get faster each mile, is inspired by Steve Prefontaine, a former Olympian and American record holder.
“Steve Prefontaine is one athlete that I take inspiration from,” she said. “I love his quotes: ‘If you ain’t first, you’re last.’, ‘To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.’, and ‘Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.’”
Clemence leans heavily on her spirituality.
“My strength comes from being grounded in Christ,” she said. “He provides me the competitive spirit to push through, finish strong, and give it my all. Thanks to Coach Kahoe, Coach Custer, and my family, I have improved my race strategy. I now understand that there is more to running than just being fast, you must be strategic to run your best race.”
Clemence, who enjoys art, riding her motorcycle, playing the piano, and studying the Bible, wants to play basketball at the next level. She’s undecided on what she wants to do career wise, but would love to be involved with sports therapy, veterinary, or graphic design.
