163 ANNA KAY CLARK THROWING TOGETHER A LEGACY Freshman Anna Kay Clark shares the javelin throwing spotlight with her brother, senior Will Clark. Freshman Anna Kay Clark joined the track team as a javelin thrower with her brother Will Clark, a senior. Don Hood, head track and field coach, said the two made a unique pairing with their hard working personalities. Hood said their talent brought energy to the rare and challenging sport. “They bring some confidence to the team because they’re both so good,” Hood said. “It’s really a confidence builder to our team to know that we’ve got these two, amongst others, in their event who are going to be competing for a conference championship and scoring really good points for us.” Will Clark said competing with a sibling on the same team gave him an honest review of his performance. “Having a sibling on the team, they’re able to keep you in check or ask things of you that other people wouldn’t,” Will Clark said. “They can, kind of, bring a higher level of dedication out of you.” This was not the first time the two competed on a track team together. The siblings also played together for one year in high school. “I’ve learned how to separate looking at him as a brother and a teammate,” Anna Kay Clark said. “If I look at him like a brother, it’s really hard to want to take instruction from him like I would another teammate or get along in a different dynamic.” Anna Kay Clark’s interest in track and field began in middle school when she attended her brother’s track meets with her parents. Will Clark said one day he snuck one of the girls’ javelins home and started teaching Anna Kay Clark to throw. Through these at-home lessons, Anna Kay Clark was inspired to become a javelin thrower for the track team by her brother. Anna Kay Clark said having her brother on the team made the transition to college easier for her. She said their relationship created a comfortable environment for the team where they were able to have fun, but also work hard together. story by Ava Galyean Throwing together! Anna Kay Clark throws the javelin at a high school meet. Due to COVID-19, track and field competitions were postponed | photo courtesy of Anna Kay Clark Will Clark throws the javelin for Harding. Clark was joined by his sister on the Harding track and field team. | photo courtesy of Will Clark
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