Illinois Wesleyan senior Tara Clemens is a seven-time All-American in track and holds several school records. Earlier this year she was named "National D-III Female Track Athlete of the Week" by USTFCCCA and was chosen as the women's track athlete of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin indoor meet by winning the 800 and the mile.
In her career she has been chosen the CCIW "Female Track Athlete of the Week" five times (indoor and outdoor combined) and her All-American honors have been: 2011-12: outdoor 800, 4x400 relay; indoor, 4x400 relay, indoor 800; 2010-11: outdoor 4x400; 2009-10: outdoor 4x400, indoor DMR.
Tara's parents are Doug and Kathy Clemens and her sister, Mackenzie '10 is a former IWU track All-American and three-time national champion. Doug and her uncle, Dave, are IWU graduates, along with her grandmother and grandfather, Don Clemens, who was captain of the 1951 undefeated Titan football team.
Why you chose Illinois Wesleyan: I BLEED GREEN
IWU class you’re most qualified to teach: Drawing. But it would be a class on drawing ducks because I’m really really good at drawing ducks.
The hardest challenge about being a Division III student-athlete is: The fame and fortune we get can be exhausting.
Worst grade in a class you ever got – what and when? I got a B once. Well, actually it was an A-minus but it should have been a B.
I’m deathly afraid of ... : Most things that move or make a sound in the dark.
Worst habit: Taking my socks off in bed and ending up with a pile under my covers.
Most expensive traffic ticket: Just a parking ticket. I’m a saint.
Language I’d like to learn: Well I’d like to know Spanish without having to go through the burden of learning it.
The longest I could survive without my cell phone: A long time. I’m notorious for not texting people back.
One word your mother or father would use to describe you: They like to call me "Unique".
Favorite sports figure: Keondre Schumacher - Child athlete prodigy.
My greatest moment in sports was: Can’t top a National Championship. However, I hope my best moments are still to come this season.
The best player I ever faced was: Former middle school rival "Downtown" Stephanie Brown who is now a Division I All-American at Arkansas.
Worst dresser on my team: There aren’t any standouts, but Coach Nate definitely takes the cake for best dressed. The guy has swagger.
Thing that’s been in my fridge the longest: Salsa… that will be having its own fiesta in my trash can now
Person I’m dying to have dinner with: Zach Galifianakis because, I mean... how fun would that be?
Favorite food: Sprinkles
Vegetable I won’t eat: Celery
Pepsi or Coke?: Yuck
Favorite TV show: "Modern Family"
Favorite musical group: Most country music artists with Darius Rucker, Lee Brice and Eric Church sitting near the top
Favorite movies: "Titanic" and "Pearl Harbor"
If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following person to play me: Jennifer Lawrence because I think she would embody my “lovable awkwardness” quite nicely
If my life were on TV as a reality show, I’d call it: "Giggles and Sprinkles"
The person in history I would most like to meet is: Honest Abe
My dream job would be: Puppy Groomer
Place I’d most like to live: Anywhere by a lake and big beautiful trees
Two things that are tops on my “bucket list”: 1) Witness an Olympics as a fan. 2) Plant a tree to watch grow over the years.
My possession that would fetch the most on eBay: Probably an organ.
Who is the luckiest person in the world? Agreeing with Alex Hill on this and saying all of us lucky enough to have known Andrew Weishar.
What I miss most about being in the third grade: Being Queen Bee of the kickball field.
